After coming into the program during the summer in June, freshman tight end Will Mallory hasn’t had as much time to adjust to college as maybe some of his fellow classmates that came in during January for the spring. That doesn’t really matter at this point though, because the Hurricanes’ depth chart is so thin at tight end that Mallory will be thrown into the fire early and often and has no choice but to grow up fast.
“It’s been good since I came in,” Mallory said. “There’s definitely been differences (in college), but the transition has been smooth and I’m enjoying it.”
The freshman from Jacksonville has spent this fall mainly working with the threes, however, head coach Mark Richt said earlier this week that Mallory would be the second tight end into the game on Sunday versus LSU. For his part, Mallory credits his improvement to getting bigger and stronger in the weight room over the summer and into fall.
“I’ve been putting on some good weight and some good size. They definitely feed you a lot here,” Mallory said. “The strength training was tough at first, but I got used to it and next spring and the years after that, it’ll help me a lot.”
The 6’5” 230 pounder has been taking most of his reps flexed out, but is learning two spots in the Canes’ offense. Mallory says getting down all the plays at both positions is still the biggest thing holding him back, as well as adjusting his blocking technique to go against college-sized defenders.
“I’m playing the Y and the F, so it’s like learning two sets of plays,” Mallory said. “Knowing the plays is a big deal, but you also just have to be more physical playing against a lot of bigger and stronger guys. I have a lot to work on, like my blocking technique and just knowing what to do on the field.”
Charged with helping Mallory improve his blocking is tight ends coach Todd Hartley. The bond between the pair is strong and Mallory talked about what it’s been like working with Hartley over the past few months.
“He’s awesome, he’s a great person and I love working with him,” Mallory said on Hartley. “He wants the best from us and he’ll get on you, but it’s no hard feelings and he’s a great coach.”
Miami opens the season in Arlington, Texas to face off against #25 LSU on Sunday. While Mallory didn’t have a prediction for how the game will go, he did give his thoughts on the Tigers and what he expects in his first college game in general.
“They’re big, they’re athletic, just a big SEC defense,” Mallory said on LSU. “So I have to get ready for that, we all have to get ready for that. It’s going to be a heck of a game.”
“It’s been good since I came in,” Mallory said. “There’s definitely been differences (in college), but the transition has been smooth and I’m enjoying it.”
The freshman from Jacksonville has spent this fall mainly working with the threes, however, head coach Mark Richt said earlier this week that Mallory would be the second tight end into the game on Sunday versus LSU. For his part, Mallory credits his improvement to getting bigger and stronger in the weight room over the summer and into fall.
“I’ve been putting on some good weight and some good size. They definitely feed you a lot here,” Mallory said. “The strength training was tough at first, but I got used to it and next spring and the years after that, it’ll help me a lot.”
The 6’5” 230 pounder has been taking most of his reps flexed out, but is learning two spots in the Canes’ offense. Mallory says getting down all the plays at both positions is still the biggest thing holding him back, as well as adjusting his blocking technique to go against college-sized defenders.
“I’m playing the Y and the F, so it’s like learning two sets of plays,” Mallory said. “Knowing the plays is a big deal, but you also just have to be more physical playing against a lot of bigger and stronger guys. I have a lot to work on, like my blocking technique and just knowing what to do on the field.”
Charged with helping Mallory improve his blocking is tight ends coach Todd Hartley. The bond between the pair is strong and Mallory talked about what it’s been like working with Hartley over the past few months.
“He’s awesome, he’s a great person and I love working with him,” Mallory said on Hartley. “He wants the best from us and he’ll get on you, but it’s no hard feelings and he’s a great coach.”
Miami opens the season in Arlington, Texas to face off against #25 LSU on Sunday. While Mallory didn’t have a prediction for how the game will go, he did give his thoughts on the Tigers and what he expects in his first college game in general.
“They’re big, they’re athletic, just a big SEC defense,” Mallory said on LSU. “So I have to get ready for that, we all have to get ready for that. It’s going to be a heck of a game.”
