After losing 25 pounds, Eric Edwards is possibly in the best shape of his life. Now, the 6-foot-5 senior is looking to lead the Tigers at the tight end position.
“My bench press went up, and I ran the best I’ve run yet,” Edwards said of his strength test.
Edwards, a Monroe native, played sparingly his past two seasons. In 2002 he played in 11 games despite missing two because of a sprain in his foot. Edwards said as a tight end he will be working as a blocker as well as a receiver. Last season he had six receptions on the year for a total of 35 yards.
“I’m getting more involved with [the passing game] now that my weight’s dropped,” Edwards said. “I’ve got more confidence in [receiving] now.”
Junior Demetri Robinson will also be contributing at tight end. Robinson played in 10 games last season and scored a touchdown versus Miami (Ohio) after catching a 6-yard pass from Matt Mauck.
Sophomore walk-on Kevin Steltz is listed No. 1 on the depth chart for the starting fullback position.
“My role is to open holes and block,” said Steltz, a 5-foot-9 New Orleans native. “That’s pretty much what [the fullback position] is used for at LSU, a blocking back. I don’t get the ball very often.”
LSU coach Nick Saban said sophomore David Jones and freshman Kory Hebert are two players who are being developed at the fullback position.
Sophomore Brandon Hurley originally was listed as the Tigers’ starting fullback for the 2003 season. However, he recently was moved to offensive guard.
Jones, who played 10 games last season as a tight end, said he will play both tight end and fullback this season.
“It’s an H-back,” Jones said. “It’s kind of a tight end-slash-fullback. Steltz is doing good. I’m doing good. We both bring different combinations into the offense.”
Jones, who was named Maryland’s “Mr. Football”, finished his senior year of high school with 30 pass receptions for 480 yards. He said he continues to work with the passing game.
“At H-back I’m more versatile,” Jones said. “I do a lot of receiving things from the fullback position. I still bang heads but I’m more of the receiving type.”
Jones said he and Steltz can contribute in different ways.
“Kevin, he’s a powerful player. A little guy, but powerful,” Jones said. “That’s where I need to pick up. He’s real low to the ground. I’m more versatile, I can go outside and make plays.”