Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Tight ends will be key weapon in passing game; Practice No. 11 notebook
08/13/2018 | 5:28:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Much has been said and written about the talent and depth of Saluki Football's wide receiver corps, but don't overlook the team's tight ends. Junior Jacob Varble is having an excellent camp so far and newcomer Nigel Kilby is considered an impact newcomer.
At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Varble has 28 career catches and the rare ability to excel as both an in-line blocker and downfield route runner.
"I think Jake Varble is as good (a tight end) as there is in the Missouri Valley," head coach Nick Hill said. "He does so much. When you put on his film, he's blocking on power, he's blocking on inside zones, he's running routes. He's a smart football player with a lot of tools in his toolbox."
Entering his fourth year in SIU's offensive system, the Jerseyville, Ill. native has a firm grasp on what's expected of the team's tight ends.
"Jacob knows the offense and I couldn't ask any more out of him in terms of being a leader at the position," said tight ends coach Pat Poore. "I really like where he's at in terms of knowledge of the offense and having a feel for what we can do at that position."
Kilby has already shown he can play at the highest level of college football, catching 34 passes and four touchdowns as a freshman at Eastern Michigan in 2016. His path led him to Garden City Community College in 2017 where he emerged as the No. 3 ranked junior college tight end in the country. The 6-foot-8, 250 pound junior oozes potential but has just 11 days of practice in SIU's offense under his belt.
"There's been a couple practices I know he's been frustrated because we do a lot on offense, in and out of personnels," Hill said. "We have to do a good job of having a good plan for him, not putting too much on his plate so he can go out there and play fast, because he is a big weapon."
Hill was also high on the team's starting fullback, Jaylon Graham (6-3, 254, Sr.). The fifth-year senior is a devastating lead blocker and has shown reliable hands out of the backfield.
"Jaylon is doing an outstanding job," Hill said. "He brings a physicality to that room that we need on offense. He's really a huge part of what we do on offense. The physical part of his game is as good as anybody we have on the team."
The future looks bright at the fullback position. Hill said redshirt freshman Cole Steward is a cerebral player who knows his assignments, while Poore called true freshman Jacob Garrett a younger version of former Salukis' bruiser Hans Carmien. Both could play a major role on special teams this year.
The battle for the place-kicking job remains wide open, according to Hill. During the Winning Time session today, the offense ran three series starting at the defense 25. Each series consisted of two plays and a field goal attempt. Nico Gualdoni and Matt Sotiropoulos made their kicks, while freshman Griffin Cerra missed his. Regardless, Hill said he's still looking for one kicker to put together a lengthy string of positive days and seize the job. Cerra works on his accuracy by practicing field goals from the end zone pylon. It's quite a feat to split the uprights from that angle.
A few practice highlights — DE Chucky Sullivan continues to impress with his pass rush skills. OLB Cody Crider and DT Tyree Jackson picked up sacks. OLB Airan Reed recovered a fumble and showed impressive speed in sticking with WR Landon Lenoir one-on-one on a go-route.
Hill provided an injury update today. He said All-Conference safety Jeremy Chinn sprained his right knee during practice on Friday and will miss several weeks. The knee will not need surgery and the hope is for Chinn to play in the season opener on Aug. 30. Two players are in concussion protocol — DE Sam Skinner and TE Logan Crouse. Several others are nursing minor injuries.
The Salukis will hold their second scrimmage on Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Saluki Stadium. The football team is sponsoring a "Diaper Drive" in which fans are encouraged to drop off packages of diapers at a collection box at the main entrance. The diapers will be donated to The Women's Center in Carbondale.
