We’re inching closer to the start of fall camp and taking a last look at each position group before things get rolling in the next few weeks. Next up is the tight end spot where the picture looks the same as a year ago, but with much more upside.

OVERVIEW

It seems like a never-ending refrain heading into fall camp: is this the season Nebraska finally gets increased production out of the tight end spot?

A year ago, Nebraska went into the season with a relatively unproven group of tight ends, led by Jack Stoll. Stoll showed in 2018 that he was more than just an in-line blocker. Stoll started all 12 games for Nebraska last season, finishing fifth on the team in receptions with 21. Stoll went for 245 yards and three touchdowns and firmly established himself as the leader in the room heading into his junior season.

Nebraska also got snaps from redshirt freshmen Kurt Rafdal (four catches for 67 yards) and Austin Allen (two catches for 54 yards), as well as true freshman Katerian Legrone, who finished with one catch for eight yards while retaining his redshirt season. The entire group is back for 2019, and Nebraska will be looking for more production from the group overall, while also adding versatility with the group.

ONE BIG QUESTION

Can Nebraska stretch the field from the tight end spot? Stoll averaged 11.7 yards per catch, but Nebraska would like to see more vertical production from the group in 2019. Allen had a 41-yard catch against Ohio State and Rafdal had a 26-yard catch for his long of the season. Legrone is much more of a polished route runner, and with Allen and Rafdal both standing taller than 6-foot-6 and stronger from a season in the weight room, the group has a better chance of adding more to Nebraska’s passing attack.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

The lone scholarship underclassman in the group is freshman Chris Hickman. Hickman enrolled early, but underwent shoulder surgery that kept him off the practice field in the spring. Tight ends coach Sean Beckton said earlier this summer that Hickman has been cleared to start working out this summer, but that the injury and his need to add weight will likely mean he’s destined for a redshirt in 2019.

One other addition to the tight end room was Rutgers transfer Travis Vokolek. While Vokolek isn’t an underclassman, he will have two seasons of eligibility after sitting out this season. Scott Frost said that Vokolek is still deciding whether to pursue a waiver to be granted immediate eligibility, but Frost and others inside the program were pleased to get Vokolek as a transfer because of his 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame.

“All you have to do is watch him walk down the hall to realize that he's got some special things about him,” Frost said of Vokolek. “So we're excited to have him in the program.”