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The tight end position is an underappreciated and sometimes underutilized offensive weapon but the Troy Trojans enter 2024 with some intriguing prospects at the position.

While Troy will have to replace the production of Deyunkrea Lewis and Clayton Ollendieck at tight end, Troy returns veterans like Ethan Conner and Brody Dalton.

“This is a position that I think people will be pleasantly surprised about,” Troy Coach Gerad Parker said. “I like where we’re at there. It’s a good skill group for us.”

Everything starts with senior Ethan Conner, a 6-foot-4-inch, 230-pounder that has battled injuries but brings a skillset to the table that could rival any tight end in the country.

“Ethan is different,” Parker flatly said. “We have to keep him healthy and just let him be different. His skillset is impressive and is a guy that we can line up all over the place.”

Conner caught 16 passes for 168 yards and four touchdowns last season despite missing four gams. The Columbus, Miss., native may be one of the most athletic tight ends in the country. Along with playing receiver and tight end at East Mississippi Community College, before coming to Troy, he was also a “Wildcat” quarterback scoring six touchdowns on the ground in 2022.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound Brody Dalton transferred to Troy from UAB last year and also battled injuries. Dalton, along with German native Fabian Rogosch are two bruisers that will offer a powerful addition to the running game. Rogosch, a former defensive end, stands at 6-foot-5-inches and 250 pounds.

“Brody can play a true ‘Y’ on the ball tight end and be able to really block and catch for us,” Parker said. “Fabian moved over from defensive line and is a big old bruising blocker that plays hard and is really physical. We’ll be able to use him and beat people up. (Freshman) Jackson Worley is another guy that will continue to be healthy and be able to contribute. I like where we’re at with those four guys.”

Troy also features sophomore junior college transfer Trae Swartz (6-foot-5-inches, 250 pounds) and true freshman Chad Barham (6-foot-4-inches, 235 pounds) at tight end.

Troy’s offense will also feature some fullback action this season with all of the Trojans’ tight ends getting in on the action there along with the only true fullback on the roster, Tyce Khatri.

“We will use the fullback and it will mainly come from Khatri and the tight end position,” said Parker. “We have fun with that in different packages, especially down on the goal line and short yardage. When healthy, Tyce can do all that. He’s a big bruising guy.”

Khatri is a 6-foot, 235 pound Prattville native that played linebacker at Prattville High.

Previous Installments: 
Quarterbacks
Running Backs 
Receivers