Continuing the Tradition at Tight End U
By David Villavicencio
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Often imitated, but never duplicated, Miami is unquestionably Tight End U.
The greats like Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen and Jimmy Graham established an elite standard that was maintained by standouts like David Njoku and Christopher Herndon IV in recent years.
But the sophomore duo of Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory are hungry to prove they are the next great players at a position Miami has dominated for decades.
“Obviously the history was a huge reason why I wanted to come here,” Mallory said. “It’s a great opportunity to carry on such a great tradition. Personally, I think it’s the best place in the country to be if you want to be one of the premier tight ends in the country, if not the best. It’s a lot to live up to, but it’s exactly what you want.”
Much like with Mallory, the long list of Miami stars at tight end appealed to Jordan. An All-American in high school who was rated the top tight end in the country in his recruiting class, Jordan was excited to follow in the footsteps of so many legendary players.
“I got moved to tight end my freshman year of high school and I said I was going to be really good at it,” Jordan said. “Then Miami offered me and since I was a kid I knew about Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey and Bubba Franks. I knew about all of those guys and I said to myself, ‘Why not go be a part of that rich history forever?'”
That rich history of tight end greatness has given back to the newest members of their fraternity. Shockey is one of several former tight ends who has developed a relationship with Jordan and Mallory since they became Hurricanes a year ago.
“He’s always giving us great advice,” Jordan said. “He’s a real cool dude. It’s a huge deal to get tips and learn some stuff off the field and on the field from guys like that who have done so much. It’s a huge blessing to have the alumni we have. It’s a huge deal.”
Many around the country wondered why the top-ranked tight end in his recruiting class and a consensus four-star tight end prospect in that same class would want to go to school together and potentially share playing time. Instead of fearing competition, Jordan and Mallory decided to join forces and form a “two-headed monster” at Miami.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Mallory said. “What we have is something special. We push each other every day and we’re roommates, so we see each other a whole lot. It’s great being with him. He has a whole different game and I get to learn things from him and he learns some things from me. We put that all together and really learn a lot and that benefits both of us.”
The two are best friends, spending much of this summer fishing together when they weren’t taking classes or working out. Jordan and Mallory live together and have become like brothers, bringing out the best in the other on and off the field.
“He brings out a whole different side of me,” Mallory said. “I’m pretty quiet and he’s really outgoing. I think we complement each other pretty well. It’s a lot of fun to be around him because he is a character.”
Mallory and Jordan are different tight ends that form a terrifying duo for opposing defenses to stop. Jordan describes himself as “shorter, but a little bit quicker” and he says Mallory is “longer and a more vertical deep threat guy.” But the two standouts know they are at their best when they are on the field together.
“We came in together and that’s how we imagined it was going to be,” Mallory said. “With him being next to me and we’re going in at the same time and we both look at each other when the play is called and we know exactly what we are doing. I think it instills confidence in both of us. We’re just excited to be out there playing together.”
The hype surrounding Miami’s tight end tandem is real. Jordan was named Second Team All-ACC after catching 32 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns in an outstanding freshman season. Mallory is a fast and athletic 6-foot-5 target with excellent hands who played a lesser role last season, but has major potential.
“We are going to have a huge year, but I am most excited for Will,” Jordan said. “Will didn’t get his chance last year. He’s a hidden dark horse and a guy that hasn’t hit the scene yet. When Aug. 24 comes around, he is going to hit the scene quick. I’m excited for him. He might get a 1,000 yards. He might win the John Mackey Award and be an All-American. I am excited for what Will can do.”
New offensive coordinator Dan Enos brings a new scheme to Coral Gables and it is one that is expected to heavily utilize the two standout tight ends.
“It’s really big for us and that’s exactly what we want,” Mallory said. “This offense fits us perfectly. We couldn’t be more excited to have that. This is a big year for us. The offense gives us all the tools and we just have to take advantage of it.”
While Jordan and Mallory’s athletic gifts remind many of the legendary tight ends that came before them at Miami, the two sophomores are not trying to be the next Jeremy Shockey or Bubba Franks. They are excited to carve their own place among the UM greats.
“We just go out and play ball,” Jordan said. “All the accolades that come from playing ball are going to come. We aren’t trying to live up to any expectations. I’m trying to be the best Brevin and Will is trying to be the best Will.”
