Image Credit: The Diamondback
One of the more underrated players for the Maryland Terrapins in 2013 was senior tight end Dave Stinebaugh (pictured above). While he didn’t ever have monster games in the passing game, he was a solid, well-rounded force at the position. He was a player who could be relied upon because of his experience and work ethic. Unfortunately, the team will be forced to turn to two very young players in his stead moving forward.
Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley uses his tight ends in a lot of different ways. Last season, Stinebaugh saw time lined up on the line of scrimmage, in the wing, in the slot, and in the backfield. Whoever gets the majority of the snaps this season will need to be well-rounded and versatile enough to be able to handle all that this offense requires out of a tight end.
2013 Receiving Rank: 43rd (248.5 yards/game)
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P.J. Gallo – Redshirt Sophomore
2013 Statistics: N/A
As you can see, the Terps’ most experienced tight end on the roster has never caught a pass in a college football game. However, that doesn’t mean he didn’t see the field in 2013. P.J. Gallo was the backup tight end to Dave Stinebaugh all season long, and even started against Clemson due to Stinebaugh’s knee injury. He was also a big part of the Terps’ special teams unit. Whenever Mike Locksley called on a two-tight end package, Gallo was the extra blocker on the end of the line of scrimmage. And blocking is Gallo’s specialty. He isn’t known as a proficient pass-catcher or an athletic tight end in the open field, but as a steady blocker who can open holes in the running game. If Mike Locksley splits snaps between Gallo and Andrew Issacs, I’d expect P.J. to see his time in more run-heavy formations like the inverted bone that Locksley showed a lot in 2013.
Andrew Isaacs – Sophomore
2013 Statistics: N/A
The co-starter at tight end along with P.J. Gallo on Randy Edsall’s spring depth chart is former 4-star recruit Andrew Isaacs. Like Gallo, he saw the majority of his playing time on special teams in 2013. Isaacs is definitely the more athletic tight end of the two, and his pass-catching abilities are what earned him that 4-star recognition as an incoming freshman in 2013. Mike Locksley’s system could definitely benefit from a proficient pass-catcher at the tight end position, and Isaacs fits that mold very well. He can line up in the slot or in the wing, and provide huge matchup problems for opposing defenses. If Gallo gets his snaps in more run-heavy formations, I’d expect Isaacs to get his in more pass-heavy formations where he can play to his pass-catching strength.
Brian McMahon – Redshirt Sophomore
2013 Statistics: N/A
If you think this name sounds familiar, it should. When the Terps lost all of their quarterbacks to season-ending injuries in 2012, McMahon was the backup to linebacker-turned-quarterback Shawn Petty. The following spring, Petty tackled McMahon in the Red-White game, making the situation just that much odder. 2013 will likely see him hold down the 3rd or 4th spot on the depth chart at tight end, with a heavy role being played on special teams. However, he is a decent athlete and could be a player to watch at a relatively thin position moving forward.
Andrew Gray – Freshman
2013 Statistics: N/A
The lone freshman at the tight end position for the Terps in 2014 will be Chardon, OH native Andrew Gray. An underrated 3-star recruit, Gray is someone I could see being a big part of Mike Locksley’s offense in a few years. As I mentioned above, his system requires a fairly balanced tight end who is comfortable lining up in many different places on the field. Gray is a very well-rounded recruit who is just as comfortable in open space as he is rolling defenders over in the running game. I’d expect him to either redshirt the 2014 season or see most of his playing time on special teams. But he could crack the two-deep in a few years once he gains experience and grows into his 6’4″ frame.
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.