FSU Football Spring 2020 Preview: Tight ends

W-where did everyone go?

The Seminoles start Spring quite thin at the tight end position, with a glaring lack of in-game experience in the group.

Last year’s starter, Tre’ McKitty, opted for a transfer to Georgia to play out his senior year. A dynamic playmaker, McKitty was never quite able to live up to his full potential under previous staffs.

They also lose quite a bit of production as TE/H-back Gabe Nabers graduated from FSU following a career-best senior season.

So what kind of production is returning? Well, not a whole lot.

Camm McDonald:

Camren McDonald is the only returning tight end on the roster and despite being a junior, his experience thus far is mostly as a special teams player. He did get some burn on offense last year, but with just 6 catches for 43 yards in his college career, we’ve only seen glimpses of what the former 4-star prospect can do.

Despite the lack of experience, there is still plenty to like about McDonald. His athleticism and 6’4” 230 pound frame come to mind. Plus, recruited as a WR/TE hybrid, he looks to be the best pass-catcher of the unit, capable as both an in-line tight end, and being split out wide.

Carter Boatwright

The First-Team All-State tight end out of Georgia comes to FSU at a time where he will have an opportunity to contribute early, and being an early enrollee that already has great size certainly helps his case.

At around 6’5” 227, Boatwright is a big target and a capable pass-catcher. But, what stands out, and where he may have an edge in this group, is his work rate and ability as a blocker. Even still, the college game is a different animal and Boatwright will obviously have some acclimating to do.

Wyatt Rector

The walk-on is expected to transition from quarterback to a TE/H-back role this Spring. Rector wasn’t eligible to play last year after transferring from Western Michigan, however, after running the scout team at QB, TE, or even RB, Rector has built a reputation as a hard worker, earning the scout team offensive MVP last year.

There is no established starter in this group, and while McDonald is the favorite to earn the job, there is a long time between now and the beginning of the season for a front runner to emerge.

On top of the current three-deep, Florida State will add another big body in the fall with converted basketball prospect Markeston Douglas. Last year was Douglas’ first year playing football, but his athleticism vaulted him to a 3-star recruit in that short period of time. We’ll have more on Douglas and the rest of the position group come Fall.