FSU football: Projecting the 2020 tight end depth chart

Tight End

With the transfer of two-year starter Tre McKitty, there is now an opening at the starting tight end spot, and the competition should be good throughout fall practice. Sitting in the drivers’ seat for this spot is Cam McDonald, who is the only tight end with collegiate on-field production.

McDonald was a surprise pull from Willie Taggart’s first recruiting class in 2018 from Long Beach Poly in California. A four-star recruit, it was not expected that McDonald would contribute right away, but fans did hope they would see him featured in the offense more this past season.

Instead, McDonald was rarely featured in the offense, catching only six passes in just six games played. McDonald has the size needed to be an offensive weapon for FSU football, but his run blocking prowess remains to be seen. This isn’t a knock on McDonald as much as it means we haven’t seen the sophomore have to run block too much.

In Norvell’s offense, Magnifico was used as a jump-ball specialist as well as a reliable run blocker. Magnifco had fantastic athleticism and earned All-AAC honors last season for the Tigers. I could see McDonald being used similarly as Magnifco was, albeit as less of a run blocker. McDonald is supremely athletic for a tight end and does possess good hands. Hopefully, this will be a breakout year for him, and in Norvell’s offense, it is possible.