Oregon State Football

Oregon State Football: Top 5 Tight Ends the Beavers Will Face in 2019

These big guys will be huge tests for OSU’s red zone defense this season.

By Joe Londergan@joehio_ Jul 19, 2019, 12:00am PDT

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 24 Stanford at UCLA

1 - Colby Parkinson - Stanford

A projected All-Pac-12 and All-America pick, Parkinson might be one of the better all-around players to play the position at Stanford in a while.

Remember when Oregon State played Stanford in 2018? Remember that Stanford tight end that caught four touchdowns in that game? That was Parkinson. If you need more, he also had 166 receiving yards in that game.

At 6’7” and 240 pounds, Parkinson is a massive target which clearly comes in handy in the red zone.

With the combination of size, speed, and talent, Parkinson has “problem” written all over him as far as OSU’s defense is concerned.

2 - Hunter Bryant - Washington

Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual - Washington v Ohio State

Bryant has been praised by outlets all around the northwest as one of UW’s most dynamic playmakers. Here’s the problem: he’s pretty injury prone.

If he can stay healthy, Bryant could be set for a really big year. If you need proof of his potential, go look up last year’s Apple Cup game where he caught three passes for a total of 108 yards. The Huskies will look to Bryant this year when they need a big play quickly.

3 - Jacob Breeland - Oregon

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 16 Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State v Oregon

He’s 6’5” and 248 pounds and really good at getting first downs. He had 14 last year in his junior campaign.

In his senior campaign, Breeland will likely be a frequent target for Justin Herbert. He’s probably the best deep threat on this list as well. He averages 17.1 yards per catch.

His head coach and members of the media also frequently praise him for not being afraid of playing physical as a receiver or a blocker. He may even be one of the most important players the Ducks have this year.

4 - Cade Otton - Washington

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: APR 27 Washington Spring Game

Yep, another Husky.

The most frustrating thing about Otton from an opposing fan’s perspective is that while he’s a threat in the passing game on his own, he makes the players around him even bigger threats. He’s a really solid blocker, which opens up UW’s always-dangerous run game and he can draw defensive attention away from Hunter Bryant and the receivers.

OSU’s contest against the Huskies on November 8th is going to be a really long day.

5 - Brant Kuithe - Utah

Even being just a rising 6’2”, 235-pound sophomore, Kuith gives Utah an intriguing weapon in the passing game. He had 227 receiving yards last year from 20 catches with one touchdown last season. At 11.4 yards per catch, he showed his ability to be a legitimate threat on routes slightly longer than what you usually see a tight end running.

Kuithe is basically just an extra wideout playing tight end, but he’s an effective one who’s only going to get better.

Other 2019 Opponent Top 5 Positional Previews: