The tight end position has become one of the most important on a football field. It\u2019s a demanding position, one that asks players to do a little bit of everything. They need to be able to get open against exceptional defensive backs and bully opponents in the trenches. It requires elite athleticism and probably a few loose screws between the ears. The Kentucky tight ends are checking those boxes. <\/p>\n
\u201cOff the field, they\u2019re nice, real nice, but on the field, they\u2019re crazy,\u201d safety Ty Bryant<\/a> said after Saturday\u2019s scrimmage. <\/p>\n Willie Rodriguez<\/a> is the leader of the room. The third-year player was a significant recruiting win for the Wildcats, and he\u2019s been a steady contributor over each of the last two years. He\u2019s quickly developed a relationship with quarterback Kenny Minchey<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cI feel like we have a great connection,\u201d said Minchey<\/a>. \u201cI think he was the first person that texted me when I got on campus.\u201d<\/p>\n That connection off the field has created results on the field. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a really, really good athlete in terms of creating space and getting open and catching the ball. I mean, you saw today, catching the ball is definitely a strong suit. But he\u2019s always talking about hitting people. He definitely doesn\u2019t shy away from a little bit of contact,\u201d said the Kentucky quarterback. <\/p>\n Will Stein<\/a> believes Rodriguez will be one of the Cats\u2019 top targets on Saturdays this fall. After spending the last few seasons coaching future NFL players like Kenyon Sadiiq<\/a>, Stein knows they got a good one. <\/p>\n \u201cWillie Rodriguez is a fantastic player. This guy can play ball. He made some big plays today. He is definitely one of our go-to guys. I mean, if we\u2019re not feeding him the rock daily, shame on us. That guy is an NFL player, no doubt. I\u2019ve been around some really good tight ends, especially recently. That guy can play,\u201d said Stein<\/a>. <\/p>\n It\u2019s Not Just the Willie Rodriguez Show<\/p>\n The beautiful thing about the tight end room is that it\u2019s not Willie Rodriguez and a bunch of dudes. Bryant has seen redshirt freshman Mikkel Skinner<\/a> come out of his shell this spring. Once he gets a firm grasp on the offense, he\u2019ll become one of a few weapons in that tight end room. <\/p>\n