It has become fashionable in recent years to define position groups as “rooms.”

The one that figuratively contains the Furman tight ends is well appointed.

Since 1977, Furman has produced 34 All-Southern Conference tight ends, and the last two years that roll of distinction has included a pair of NFL signees, Ryan Miller (2022) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mason Pline (2023) of the San Francisco 49ers.

Who’s next?

“That room’s been pretty good for a while now, most recently with Ryan Miller and a year ago with Mason Pline,” said head coach Clay Hendrix. “We think we’ve got another solid group, one that is younger and talented.

“One of our goals has been to have versatile tight ends to run more sets. I think we’ve had that the last few years, and we should be able to do more of that again this season.”

Four candidates are in the picture to help take over for Pline, who caught 32 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns a year ago, including a 13-yard scoring grab in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to send the Paladins’ FCS quarterfinal round playoff contest with Montana to overtime.

The leader of this year’s tight end corps is Brock Chappell (6-5, 240, So.), who saw action in all 13 games a year ago as Pline’s backup.

“Brock played a bunch for us last year and was one of only three true freshmen to do so,” noted Hendrix. “He’s a big body guy — a little more of a traditional tight end  — with good hands and is a solid receiver.”

 Expected to contend with Chappell is Joshua Burrell (6-3, 218, Gr.), a graduate transfer from Florida State with two years of eligibility remaining.

“Joshua was highly recruited out of [Blythewood] and is more of a Ryan Miller-type player but a little bigger. He can do things where we split him out but also the attached stuff where we line him up next to a tackle. We’re excited to have him join us.  He makes that group that much better.”

Burrell, who saw action in 21 games at FSU, was rated the state’s No. 4 prospect at Blythewood High School and was a Shrine Bowl participant.

Two other returning players expected to push for action include Aiden Ruckh (6-3, 242, R-Fr.) and Brennan Tormey (6-7, 226, R-Fr.).

Hendrix said, “Aiden is competing well and doing some really good stuff.  He will be a contributor this year, as will Brennan, who has a great frame and catches the ball and runs well. He’s also more than a willing blocker. 

“That’s where we’ll start — with those four guys.”

The other three are Joe Graham (6-2, 215, R-Jr.), Aaron Beylin (6-3, 217, R-So.), and Jackson Pryor (6-5, 210, Fr.).

“Joe has battled injuries since she’s been here, so right now his status is unknown,” said Hendrix. Aaron will provide us with some depth, and Jackson is a player we’re very excited about. It will be fun to watch him develop, and he will get some looks this fall.

We like our depth at tight end and look forward to seeing what they can do this
year.”

Furman’s preseason roster features six Lukes: Westerman, McLaughlin, Smith, Clark, Hedrick and Petit.

Then are there three Jalens (Gummer, Tate and Walker) and a Jaylen (Moson), as well as three Joshuas: Harris, Stoneking and Burrell.

The Paladins have a Malachi (Harrison), a Malakai (Dudek) and a Malaki (Dobbins).

Stats Perform, a sports data and artificial-intelligence firm, ranks Furman 12^th in its FCS Top 25.

The Paladins finished last season ranked sixth and seventh in the AFCA and Stats Perform FCS final polls, respectively.

Furman is among three SoCon teams to earn preseason Top 25 rankings, along with Chattanooga (9th) and Western Carolina (20th). Mercer also received votes.

Reigning champion South Dakota State tops the poll after receiving 52 of 56 first place votes, followed by North Dakota State and Montana. Montana State and South Dakota round out the top five.

William & Mary, which Furman will face on Sept. 21 in Williamsburg, Va., is ranked 15th in the poll after finishing the 2023 season unranked.

The Paladins have earned rankings in each of the last 21 Stats Perform FCS Polls.

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