Quality depth at tight end should make impact on new Kentucky offense

Kentucky’s four primary tight ends in 2022 played a combined 1,182 snaps. All of that experience will be returning to the offense in 2023.

On Thursday, Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller product Brenden Bates announced that he would be returning to Lexington for his sixth season in 2023 becoming a super senior. The 6-foot-5, 264-pound tight end played through a torn labrum injury this season and is looking to have one full healthy season before chasing the NFL dream.

“The game of football has been a part of my life for a long time and has blessed me with so many opportunities,” Bates said in a social media graphic released on Thursday. “Battling this shoulder injury caused me to miss precious games which never sat right with me. I have unfinished goals that I want to obtain for myself and for this team.”

“Therefore, I am announcing my return to play as a Kentucky Wildcat.”

All of a sudden, Kentucky has a plethora of options to choose from at tight end. Position coach Vince Marrow will now have seven scholarship players to manage in 2023. Let’s dive into the position room and see how the Cats sit at the tight end position.

The Room

— Brenden Bates (6-5, 264, Super): 974 career snaps, 22 receptions, 183 yards, 2 touchdowns, 58.9 PFF grade in 2022

— Izayah Cummings (6-3, 240, Sr.): 384 career snaps, 14 receptions, 195 yards, 3 touchdowns, 61.2 PFF grade in 2022

— Jordan Dingle (6-4, 236, RSo.): 529 career snaps, 22 receptions, 274 yards, 3 touchdowns, 54.7 PFF grade in 2022

— Josh Kattus (6-4, 232, Fr.): 245 career snaps, 7 receptions, 125 yards, 77.8 PFF grade in 2022

— Khamari Anderson (6-4, 230, Fr.)

— Tanner Lemaster (6-5, 241, Fr.)

— Jakob Dixon (6-5, 200, Fr.)

Brenden Bates could allow Kentucky to unlock Josh Kattus

Kentucky was all set to have a deep tight end room before the latest news dropped on Thursday, but the Wildcats did not have a true Y tight end. As this offense plans to stay with a pro-style attack, utilization of multiple tight end sets will still be required to take advantage of the available personnel on the offense. Unfortunately, that could’ve called for Josh Kattus to play somewhat out of position.

Without Brenden Bates, Kentucky was going to need Kattus to play in-line and help hold and form a new line of scrimmage. That should not be needed as much with Bates returning to Lexington. The super senior can be the traditional Y tight end playing in-line for this offense similar to how Justin Rigg was used in 2021.

That should allow the offense to use Josh Kattus in a plethora of ways.

The other Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller tight end flashed big time as a true freshman. Kattus was a more than capable blocker who could move people at the point of attack but also is athletic enough in space to make blocks on smaller defenders. Add in his ability to be an effective possession receiver and there will be many ways the new offensive coordinator will like to utilize the sophomore tight end now that Kattus will not be required to play a ton of snaps on the line of scrimmage.

Look for Kattus to be used as an offset fullback to help key some of Kentucky’s run game and split out wide as a lead blocker to create yards after the catch in the quick passing game. Meanwhile, Bates can play his natural position and also get involved in Kentucky’s play-action passing game.

Jordan Dingle should be freed up in the passing game

As Brenden Bates and Josh Kattus serve as the top two blockers in the group, that should allow Jordan Dingle to potentially be a high-target option in the passing game.

Last year as a redshirt freshman, the former top-500 recruit flashed a ton of potential in the passing game reeling in 21 receptions on 31 targets for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Expect Dingle to become a big part of the passing game as an off-ball H tight end.

After a breakthrough sophomore campaign similar to what we saw from Dingle, Izayah Cummings disappeared last season and did not record a single reception. The Louisville (Ky.) Male product went for 14 receptions for 195 yards and three touchdowns with Liam Coen holding the call sheet in 2021. If Coen returns, a rebirth for Cummings as an active participant in the offense seems to be on the table.

Kentucky has options in the passing game.

Tight end room must be heavy part of the offense

Kentucky entered the 2022 season thinking that the tight end position would play a big role. That group had its moments, but Brenden Bates and Jordan Dingle combined to record just 30 receptions. This number must grow in 2023.

Kentucky has balance in the room with a traditional Y tight end (Bates) and a versatile blocker (Kattus) who can be a formational chess piece to help spring runs and provide an intermediate receiving option for the new play-caller. Meanwhile, there are two flex tight ends (Dingle and Cummings) who have proven to have potential as weapons in the passing game.

There is a lot at tight end to use. Expect Kentucky to be a heavy 12 personnel offense next season.