The Missouri Valley Football Conference has consistently been at the top of the FCS in the 2010s. While a lot of key players from last year have moved on to the pros, there’s still a ton of talent in the Valley.
As the season nears, we’ll rank the top five returners at each position group. Today, we give you the tight ends.
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5. Skyler Cavanaugh, South Dakota State
Well, if you’re going to learn under an FCS tight end, it might as well be Dallas Goedert. Cavanaugh served as the not-so-mini-me to the NFL Draft pick last season as a true freshman. The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder played in all 14 games.
Cavanaugh had his best performance in Game 4, catching four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, earning the MVFC Newcomer of the Week award. He totaled 11 catches for 127 yards on the season. As the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart now, Cavanaugh could very well be in store for a huge sophomore season.
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4. Adam Conrady, Western Illinois
A big-time presence at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Conrady had a solid junior year in 2017. While Jaelon Acklin racked up the stats and demanded attention late in the season, Conrady provided a nice option for quarterback Sean McGuire in the Leatherneck passing attack.
He hauled in 13 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Those aren’t standout stats by any means, but Conrady should see an increase in targets this season.
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3. Elias Nissen, Northern Iowa
Nissen has started 16 games entering his senior season. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Iowa native finished third on the team with four touchdowns. He caught 17 passes for 204 yards on the season.
Nissen lit it up against Western Illinois, scoring a touchdown on all three catches. He also adds high value for what UNI wants to do first as an offense, and that’s run the ball behind the big offensive line and tight ends. Someone will need to step up for quarterback Eli Dunne with Daurice Fountain gone to the NFL. Nissen can be that guy.
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2. Tylor Petkovich, Illinois State
Petkovich stands 6-foot-6. That’s every quarterback’s dream of having a guy that size with reliable hands. He had his best year yet as a junior in 2017. Petkovich recorded 23 catches for 244 yards and one score.
Against Northern Arizona, he grabbed an impressive seven catches. Expect Petkovich to be utilized much more this season. With a great running back in James Robinson and Spencer Schnell on the outside at wide receiver, he can be the big-time threat in the red zone.
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1. Briley Moore, Northern Iowa
Moore was just a sophomore last year but played like an upperclassman. Starting nine games, he caught 38 passes for 494 yards, both second on the team and the most receptions by a UNI tight end in a decade.
Moore earned All-MVFC Honorable Mention honors while having eight games with at least two catches. Against Cal Poly, he caught seven passes for 99 yards and went for 100 yards versus South Dakota.
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NEXT: The Best Traditions in the FCS
