CHICAGO -- For years prior to Chris Ash's arrival as Rutgers coach, the tight end was a featured player in the Scarlet Knights' offense.

But in Ash's first season, tight ends accounted for just 10 percent of the team's receptions.

It was a different story last season, as Jerome Washington posted a team-leading 28 catches for 282 yards. The 6-4, 258-pound tight end from Elizabeth considered forgoing his final season of eligibility and entering the NFL Draft last spring.

But he opted to return, and was recently named to the Mackey Award watch list heading into the 2018 campaign.

The Miami transfer didn't participate in spring camp as he rehabilitated from offseason shoulder surgery, but has been healthy since the start of the summer and is expected to be full-go Aug. 2 when training camp begins.

"Jerome Washington,'' Ash said, "has had a great summer.''

It's one of the reasons why Ash offered a rave review for the tight end group, calling it one of the team's most improved units following the 4-8 campaign last fall.

"I really like our tight end position,'' Ash said. "I've been around some really good tight ends and I think our tight end position can be one of the best in the league.''

It's a bold statement, but one that could be supported thanks to the addition of John McNulty as Rutgers' offensive coordinator this season.

Prior to his appointment as the Scarlet Knights' play-caller, McNulty served as the tight ends coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers had one of the best tight end positional groups in the NFL, led by a likely future Hall of Famer (Antonio Gates) and a budding, second-year All-Pro (Hunter Henry), last season.

In 2017, Charger tight ends were targeted on 21.2 percent of quarterback Philip Rivers' pass attempts.

Don't be surprised if Rutgers' quarterback targets the tight ends even more this season.

"I like the group,'' McNulty said last spring. "I think you have to be (tight-end friendly). I think it creates a lot of problems. I think that's where football is going. I know it went from everybody was four-wide (receivers) to that's not what everybody is doing anymore. They have these big guys who can run just like the wideouts and they're bad matchups for people. Obviously doing it the last couple of years with one of the best ever (Gates) and a guy who is going to be really good in Hunter Henry, you kind of see the possibilities a little more than maybe I did in the past.''

Another reason for Ash's excitement level over the tight end position this summer?

Travis Vokolek. The 6-6, 235-pound sophomore from Springfield, Mo., played in seven games as a true freshman last season, starting two, and hauling in a 14-yard reception in a role that mostly consisted of run-game blocking.

"Travis Vokolek, I think, has a chance to be a star,'' Ash said. "He's had a great spring, a great summer.''

McNulty sounds equally pleased by Vokolek's development.

"Vokolek has a chance to be really good,'' Rutgers' offensive play-caller said. "He's just got a long way to go in terms of growing into his body.''

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.