SFA Fall Camp Report - Tight Ends/Fullback
8/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 25 Fall Camp Photo Gallery
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – When head coach Clint Conque took over the Stephen F. Austin program prior to the 2014 season, he instituted his own game plan, which included a wrinkle Lumberjack fans hadn’t seen for quite some time.
For the first time since the 2007 season, SFA utilized the tight end position, and it proved to be a key component for the Lumberjack offensive attack. The freshman duo of Jayson Clements and Will Taylor, along with senior Danan Henderson, combined for 15 receptions for 169 yards and three touchdowns, marking the first time since Joe Kutac in 2004 a tight end had found the endzone for SFA.
Both Clements and Taylor are back this season with a year of collegiate eligibility under their belt, looking to develop into their roles further as seasoned sophomores.
“That first game last year against Kansas State, they were a little wide-eyed, but they didn’t flinch,” said position coach Jeremy Hammock. “This year they look different, they act different and they play different. That’s a credit to them coming out and working every day and getting themselves better.”
The two have continued to develop into their leadership role, bolstered by junior fullback Jabralon Allen who made the transition to the offensive side of the ball in 2014. Allen also emerged as a strong presence offensively for SFA, appearing in 11 games with three catches for 57 yards while also providing a big, physical body in the blocking game, providing protection and time for quarterback Zach Conque.
All three have had solid fall camps as Hammock has been pleased with the performance of all three. However, injuries to both Clements and Taylor have limited their availability slightly, paving the way for the two newcomers to show what they are made of.
Junior Barrett Cain and redshirt freshman Lucas Askew have received nearly all of the reps at the tight end position over the last week as the two continue to learn and develop into their roles. Askew, a transfer from Texas State, provides some height and some ability to catch passes, while Cain brings a component of athleticism and physicality as he makes the transition to learning the new position.
Askew and Cain, along with Allen, helped the offense gel on another productive practice Tuesday afternoon, one that got underway at 3 p.m. rather than the scheduled 9:15 a.m., thanks to a delay from Mother Nature. The trio seemed to increase confidence, making big blocks and key plays, especially near the end of practice as the two sides went full speed in a chaotic two-minute drill scenario.
With both Clements and Taylor expected to be ready to go for the season opener against Northern Arizona, Hammock is eager to see how Cain and Askew perform Wednesday night when SFA holds its second scrimmage of fall camp. Teaming up with Allen, the three will get the bulk of the offensive reps as the SFA youngsters will get their final chance to make an impression for the coaches as they compete for playing time.
“Wednesday night’s scrimmage marks the end of fall camp, as we wrap up the time we focus on ourselves,” said head coach Clint Conque. “When we wake up Thursday morning, it’s time to prepare for Northern Arizona, and we’ll start limiting the reps to those guys who we plan on putting on the field at Homer Bryce September 5th. Whatever picture these young players are painting for us, whether good or bad, it’s time to finish the picture as we decide who the 65-70 guys are that will suit up in the season opener.”
Wednesday night’s scrimmage gets underway at 7 p.m. with the SFA freshmen and newcomers expected to get the bulk of the snaps. The scrimmage is once again open to the public and is free of charge.
Q&A with Tight End Coach Jeremy Hammock
On the progress of the tight ends throughout fall camp:
“I’m incredibly excited about my group. The two guys that played last year were just puppies, and now they’re a year older, a year stronger and a year wiser. They both got a little banged up here near the end of camp but they’ll be ready to go. Jabralon Allen has also been big for us playing at the fullback position and his leadership has been key for us. The new guys are coming along, and it gives me five guys I’m really proud of and confident in that will contribute a lot this year.”
On the increased role of the tight ends and fullbacks in the offense:
“All of our guys are a year better, so we have a lot of confidence. During the summer we worked on the rapport with the quarterbacks, and they’re ready to contribute a whole bunch. I fully expect four guys to contribute a lot this season. It’s just a carryover from last year. When you’re older and wiser, you play with more confidence and you play faster. That’s what this camp has been for us, and we’ve had a really good camp. We’ve played hard and fast. We’re a little banged up, but those guys should be ready to go next Saturday.”
On the growth of the returners:
“It has been tremendous. That first game last year against Kansas State, they were a little wide-eyed, but they didn’t flinch. They are all competitors. Jabralon is a great football player and he can do a lot of things for us. He had played previously on defense, so he had the experience of playing college ball. The other two (Jayson Clements and Will Taylor) were fresh out of high school. This year they look different, they act different and they play different. That’s a credit to them coming out and working every day and getting themselves better.”
On the two newcomers:
“Both of them can run a little bit and catch the football. Lucas Askew is 6-5, so he poses a threat at all times and creates matchup problems for the other side. We’ll definitely have a package for him. He’s come along well in the run-block aspect, but he just needs another year to get fully acclimated and get his body developed and we’ll find a place for him. Barrett Cain never played the position before. He was a wide receiver at McMurry, played quarterback in high school, and so he’s still learning, but has gotten so much better. He’s a year wiser, has a full offseason under his belt and will continue to grow. Both Lucas and Barrett have a bit of a learning curve they’ve had to do, but they’re picking it up just fine.”
On what coach Hammock is looking to see at Wednesday night’s scrimmage:
“I just want them to be healthy, for the most part. I’ve seen the two older guys, which by older I mean the sophomores, and I’ve seen what they can do, so I’m excited to watch Barrett and Lucas contribute more and see how well they’ve progressed as far as the knowledge of the assignment. Watching them line up correctly and understand the calls from the quarterback and hopefully make some plays for us tomorrow night.”
