The LSU football team has gone through spring practice with only three tight ends on the active roster: juniors Travis Dickson and Logan Stokes and sophomore Dillon Gordon.
“We’re the few, the proud, the tight ends,” Dickson said.
With only three tight ends in camp, each one is receiving a maximum number of reps in practice. They may need the reps — the trio has combined for just one start at the Division I level.
Dickson is the most experienced of the three after starting the Arkansas game last season in place of Nic Jacobs. He came on as a receiving threat at the end of the season, catching six passes during the Tigers’ final three games.
LSU coach Les Miles said he has always considered Dickson a receiving threat, but Dickson said he needs to improve his blocking to become an every-down tight end. He said he’s gained 15 pounds since the end of last season and currently weighs 245 pounds.
“I spent a lot of time in the weight room and in the cafeteria eating as much as I can,” Dickson said. “Blocking is a lot easier at 245 pounds than it is at 235 pounds, so that’s pretty good motivation to keep the weight on.”
Dickson said he is also adjusting from being just one of many tight ends last season to being the leader of the current unit.
“It’s a whole new role I’m stepping into, being the leader of these guys,” Dickson said. “It’s something I’m learning how to do and I’m leaning on some of the veterans like Zach [Mettenberger] and guys I learned from like Chase [Clement] and Josh [Dworaczyk] to learn how to be a better leader.”
Gordon, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, has turned heads with his blocking so far this spring. He did not catch a pass last season, but played in every game for the Tigers as a blocking tight end and a special teamer.
He led all tight ends with four receptions for 40 yards in the Tigers’ second scrimmage of the spring on March 28.
Miles said he could see Gordon getting significant playing time and possibly being the Tigers’ starting tight end to begin the season.
“I think [Gordon] and Logan Stokes are really both that kind of big, blocking tight end, but are also capable of being receiving threats,” Miles said.
Stokes transferred to LSU after playing two seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He is listed at 6-foot-5, 253 pounds and caught 10 passes for 80 yards last season.
The tight ends are likely to play a more prominent role in the passing game this season with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron now running the offense.
“We’re going to be a lot more involved in the passing game,” Dickson said. “We have been as involved in receiving drills as wide receivers and running backs are. We catch just as many balls as they do.”
While the tight ends will hold down the fort with three men for the remainder of the spring, there are some reinforcements on the way. DeSean Smith, the No. 5 receiving tight end recruit in the nation, according to ESPN.com, is committed to LSU.
