LINCOLN — Strictly on appearances, Kyler Reed would look like the pass-catcher and Ben Cotton the run-blocker among Nebraska’s stable of tight ends.

Reed is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and a former high school receiver.

Cotton goes 6-6 and 255, standing more like a lineman than a wideout.

So, naturally, a big part of the process for the sophomores is proving that they can do both and smashing those stereotypes, which also goes hand-in-hand with NU assistant coach Ron Brown’s requirements for them.

“You want guys who can do it all,” Brown said. “You like specialties, but you don’t want to be predictable, either. So when a certain guy is in the game, you don’t want everyone to know he’s in there for one reason.”

Reed and Cotton are staring at good opportunities as senior Mike McNeill tries a slightly different role and both build off the benefits of playing decent amounts as redshirt freshmen.

With Cotton and Dreu Young battling injuries, Reed also is seeing a spike in his work during spring practice.

“I’m getting plenty of reps, so it’s real good for me to just get my mind wrapped around the offense,” Reed said. “With the more reps I get, I’m feeling more comfortable so I’m able to play faster.”

Reed also might be undergoing a transformation after injuries often set him back last season, something Brown said they discussed during the winter.

“He seems to be playing through hurts and injuries, and he’s just mentally a tougher kid right now,” Brown said. “And his confidence is starting to rise.

“With Ben Cotton’s injury and Dreu Young’s injury, it’s put him in a position where he had to go out and deliver some goods — and he’s stepped up and done a good job so far.”

Reed calls it “playing the way I know how to play,” which includes both his receiving and blocking, in addition to his confidence.

Despite his size, Brown said, Reed can take care of himself at the line of scrimmage. Although still trying to add some weight and bulk, Reed does so with good leverage, flexibility and explosion off the ball.

“Pound-for-pound, inch-for-inch a very, very powerful guy,” Brown said.

Cotton understands why some might label him as a blocking tight end. It didn’t help last fall as he and Young were normally on the field in run-blocking situations after the NU offense changed midseason.

It gave Cotton a goal for the winter and into the spring.

“I wanted to keep getting stronger, but I wanted to help myself get faster and a lot quicker so I could be more of a threat in the passing game,” he said. “I want to be a balanced tight end — do as much as I can in the passing game, but just as much in the run game as before.”

Cotton said the future of the NU offense involves getting threats all over the field, so he realizes that his game has to evolve with it.

“What’s interesting about Ben Cotton is, even at 6-6 and 255 pounds he’s a pretty good receiver, really,” Brown said. “He runs pretty well and he’s getting better in that realm. But obviously where he can really help you is in the blocking.”

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

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