Many around the program (including CanesInSight) pegged Elijah Arroyo as a breakout player all offseason. He’s more than living up to the hype, with 159 yards (22.7 ypc) and two TDs through three games. Arroyo met with reporters to discuss the tight end group:
On the tight end group getting attention: We're just doing a good job. I'm not really worried about any stats or any tight end rankings, none of that. I just want to win games.
On Elija Lofton: He’s doing great. When he scored, me and Cam McCormick went and ran down the field. We almost got a flag. Thankfully, we didn't. We were all happy for him. He deserves it. He's earned it. And I think there's a lot more to come.
On Coach Cristobal saying the tight ends were the funniest group on the team: Everybody's pretty funny in their own way. But I'll give [the the title of funniest] to Elija Lofton. He's pretty goofy. He's funny.
On Cam’s ability to spread the ball: It's great, because we have about four or five receivers, three running backs, multiple tight ends. Everybody could go for 100 yards any day. So Cam being able to spread that out, feel like there's no defense that could really cover everybody.
On Riley Williams hurdling a defender: The hurdling attempt? I'm gonna have to give him a three out of 10. I'm not gonna lie to you. But apart from that, I feel he's doing really well. He's been doing a great job, adjusting to the offense, playing his role. When he gets in the game, he takes advantage. There's really no drop off when he's in the game.
On USF: They're a great, great team. Physical. As a fan of the game, I can say I appreciate their effort and physicality on film. That makes me really excited to play them on Saturday.
On the tight end group getting attention: We're just doing a good job. I'm not really worried about any stats or any tight end rankings, none of that. I just want to win games.
On Elija Lofton: He’s doing great. When he scored, me and Cam McCormick went and ran down the field. We almost got a flag. Thankfully, we didn't. We were all happy for him. He deserves it. He's earned it. And I think there's a lot more to come.
On Coach Cristobal saying the tight ends were the funniest group on the team: Everybody's pretty funny in their own way. But I'll give [the the title of funniest] to Elija Lofton. He's pretty goofy. He's funny.
On Cam’s ability to spread the ball: It's great, because we have about four or five receivers, three running backs, multiple tight ends. Everybody could go for 100 yards any day. So Cam being able to spread that out, feel like there's no defense that could really cover everybody.
On Riley Williams hurdling a defender: The hurdling attempt? I'm gonna have to give him a three out of 10. I'm not gonna lie to you. But apart from that, I feel he's doing really well. He's been doing a great job, adjusting to the offense, playing his role. When he gets in the game, he takes advantage. There's really no drop off when he's in the game.
On USF: They're a great, great team. Physical. As a fan of the game, I can say I appreciate their effort and physicality on film. That makes me really excited to play them on Saturday.