FSU football: Projecting the 2020 tight end depth chart

Backup / H-Back

Behind McDonald sits not a single player with in-game experience at tight end. The competition for the backup job will be between Carter Boatwright, a tight end from the 2020 recruiting class, and Wyatt Rector, the QB-turned-utility player who looks to fill in as an H-back.

Boatwright is the most likely-backup since he has experience at the position and can be an early contributor. Boatwright is a three-star talent out of south Georgia who could be an effective run blocker after a year in the weight training program. He should develop into a capable pass-catcher as well, and expect to see a lot of Boatwright by his second year in the program. However, in 2020 he should be used primarily to give McDonald a rest.

The wildcard in this group is Rector. Rector started as a quarterback from Leesburg High School, and anyone from Central Florida will tell you he was one of the best high school players in the area his senior season. He went on to commit to Western Michigan as a QB, then transferred to Lenoir-Rhyne before finally coming to FSU as a walk-on QB. With the additions of two freshman quarterbacks plus the Jordan Travis transfer last season, Rector would probably sit as the fifth-string QB, so a move does make sense.

It was reported that Rector runs slightly below a 4.6, which is on track for a speedy H-back or tight end. He stands at 6’1, a little short for a tight end, but when he does have one he did not use a ‘true’ H-back a lot of the time.

Norvell has shown the ability to adapt to his personnel. It’s doubtful Rector will get a lot of snaps this season as a “true” tight end, but expect to see him used a fullback/tight end hybrid lined up in the backfield throughout this season.