Some good ink from the Sun-Sentinel today regarding the Miami Hurricanes and needing more production out of the tight end position – especially junior Asante Cleveland, who never found a groove last season.
Cleveland missed spring ball in 2010, underwent shoulder surgery and never found his groove in 2011.
“My shoulder was definitely a factor,” Cleveland said. “Not so much physically, but definitely psychologically because I would think about it every time. You can tell on film that I was still a little hesitant and timid about it.”
Proof was in the production, or lack thereof as Cleveland caught just one pass for six yards as a sophomore. As a freshman, he had eight receptions for 110 yards.
Cleveland has added fifteen pounds of muscle this off-season, making the jump from 255 to 270 and was named starting tight end in spring 2012.
Cleveland aside, Miami had little overall production from tight ends year one under offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch. The entire group amassed 266 yards and two touchdowns on 28 passes.
When the Canes were in the middle of their Tight End U days, Jeremy Shockey hauled in 40 receptions for 519 yards and seven touchdowns, helping UM with the 2001 National Championship.