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Over the years, UM has earned the title as Tight End U. From Bubba Franks to Jeremy Shockey to Kellen Winlsow II to Greg Olsen to Jimmy Graham, the Canes have produced a galaxy of NFL stars. Even during the lean years of the program, Miami continued to crank out NFL tight ends. With the departure of Chris Herndon, the Canes enter spring practice with only two returning tight ends on scholarship—Michael Irvin Jr. and Brian Polendey. Can Irvin or Polendey step up their game? Or will a true freshman become the next star at Tight End U?
Lack of Experienced Depth
First, Canes fans should be very concerned about the current state of the tight end position. Not only is Miami dangerously paper thin on depth this spring, the lack of production among the returnees is even more alarming. Michael Irvin Jr. is the only returning tight end with any significant playing experience. In 2017, he caught just 9 passes for 78 yards last year as a sophomore. Polendey saw action in just 6 games as a true freshman, playing mostly on special teams. However, each player does bring some skills and potential to the table.
Michael Irvin Jr: Playmaker or Troublemaker?
The name Michael Irvin is one of the most iconic in the history of Hurricane football. The younger Irvin knows all about the pressures of carrying on a tradition. He has played at the same high school (St. Thomas Aquinas) and university where his father was a legend. But does Irvin Jr. have the game to match his name? At 6’3 and 248 pounds with 4.6 speed and soft hands, Irvin Jr. has the physical tools to be an outstanding tight end. Unfortunately, Irvin has spent more time in Mark Richt’s doghouse than making plays on the field. He has already served two suspensions for breaking team rules. Ironically, the drive and work ethic that made his father a great player has yet to surface in the younger Irvin. On the field, he started the last 2 games of the season against Clemson and Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl. In those starts, Irvin caught just 5 passes for 29 yards—far below the standard set by his predecessors at The U.
This spring is the most crucial stage of Michael Irvin Jr’s young football career. He has the size, speed and bloodlines to be a great player. So far, Irvin’s lack of focus and discipline has made the talented junior his own worst enemy. He must take his game to another level and improve his blocking at the point of attack. Expect Irvin to enter the fall as the starter. But if he doesn’t show significant improvement, he will likely get passed over on the depth chart by promising true freshmen Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory.
Brian Polendey: A Diamond in the Rough?
Not much is known or expected of Brian Polendey. He came to UM last year as an early enrollee out of Denton, TX. Even his high school stats are skimpy. Polendey caught only 9 passes for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns his junior year at Guyer High School. He spent most of his senior year playing defensive end. Polendey is almost the polar opposite of Irvin. Born in Oregon, he didn’t start playing organized football until the eighth grade. His parents moved from the State of Washington to Texas when Polendey was in the 10th grade.
At 6’6 and 230 pounds, Polendey earned a reputation as an outstanding blocker. He played on a high school team that ran the ball nearly 90 percent of the time. This spring, Polendey will have the opportunity to get more reps in practice and develop his receiving skills. Although he is somewhat limited in the passing game, expect Polendey’s role to expand in 2018 as a blocking tight end on short yardage and goal line situations—an area where Miami struggled mightily last year. With the absence of Chris Herndon, it is vital for Mark Richt and tight ends coach Todd Hartley to find a tight end who can block effectively in the running game.
Help is on the Way
With only two scholarship tight ends presently on the roster, the Canes will get a much needed boost from true freshmen Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory in the fall. Many recruiting experts rated Jordan as the best tight end recruit for 2018. Although there will be a huge learning curve, expect Jordan to be the most likely player to carry on the tradition at Tight End U.
Lack of Experienced Depth
First, Canes fans should be very concerned about the current state of the tight end position. Not only is Miami dangerously paper thin on depth this spring, the lack of production among the returnees is even more alarming. Michael Irvin Jr. is the only returning tight end with any significant playing experience. In 2017, he caught just 9 passes for 78 yards last year as a sophomore. Polendey saw action in just 6 games as a true freshman, playing mostly on special teams. However, each player does bring some skills and potential to the table.
Michael Irvin Jr: Playmaker or Troublemaker?
The name Michael Irvin is one of the most iconic in the history of Hurricane football. The younger Irvin knows all about the pressures of carrying on a tradition. He has played at the same high school (St. Thomas Aquinas) and university where his father was a legend. But does Irvin Jr. have the game to match his name? At 6’3 and 248 pounds with 4.6 speed and soft hands, Irvin Jr. has the physical tools to be an outstanding tight end. Unfortunately, Irvin has spent more time in Mark Richt’s doghouse than making plays on the field. He has already served two suspensions for breaking team rules. Ironically, the drive and work ethic that made his father a great player has yet to surface in the younger Irvin. On the field, he started the last 2 games of the season against Clemson and Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl. In those starts, Irvin caught just 5 passes for 29 yards—far below the standard set by his predecessors at The U.
This spring is the most crucial stage of Michael Irvin Jr’s young football career. He has the size, speed and bloodlines to be a great player. So far, Irvin’s lack of focus and discipline has made the talented junior his own worst enemy. He must take his game to another level and improve his blocking at the point of attack. Expect Irvin to enter the fall as the starter. But if he doesn’t show significant improvement, he will likely get passed over on the depth chart by promising true freshmen Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory.
Brian Polendey: A Diamond in the Rough?
Not much is known or expected of Brian Polendey. He came to UM last year as an early enrollee out of Denton, TX. Even his high school stats are skimpy. Polendey caught only 9 passes for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns his junior year at Guyer High School. He spent most of his senior year playing defensive end. Polendey is almost the polar opposite of Irvin. Born in Oregon, he didn’t start playing organized football until the eighth grade. His parents moved from the State of Washington to Texas when Polendey was in the 10th grade.
At 6’6 and 230 pounds, Polendey earned a reputation as an outstanding blocker. He played on a high school team that ran the ball nearly 90 percent of the time. This spring, Polendey will have the opportunity to get more reps in practice and develop his receiving skills. Although he is somewhat limited in the passing game, expect Polendey’s role to expand in 2018 as a blocking tight end on short yardage and goal line situations—an area where Miami struggled mightily last year. With the absence of Chris Herndon, it is vital for Mark Richt and tight ends coach Todd Hartley to find a tight end who can block effectively in the running game.
Help is on the Way
With only two scholarship tight ends presently on the roster, the Canes will get a much needed boost from true freshmen Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory in the fall. Many recruiting experts rated Jordan as the best tight end recruit for 2018. Although there will be a huge learning curve, expect Jordan to be the most likely player to carry on the tradition at Tight End U.
