Auburn football: Three impact freshman for the 2020 season

Gus Malzahn’s offense isn’t known for its use of tight ends. The Tigers have gotten minimal production from the position since 2015. However, the hire of Chad Morris as offensive coordinator is a good sign for the rejuvenation of the position.

Morris has coached multiple NFL tight ends throughout his career and heavily utilized the position while at Arkansas. Auburn’s recent recruiting of multiple tight ends also shows that Morris is likely to get tight ends more involved.

Redshirt junior John Samuel Shenker is Auburn’s most experienced TE on the roster as he started five games but only recorded three catches for 21 yards and a TD.

Deal, a three-star recruit out of South Carolina played in three games last season before redshirting for the year. Deal suffered a knee injury on the first day of bowl practice last year but when he returns, look for him to make an impact.

At 6-foot-6 and over 250 pounds, Deal has elite size for a traditional tight end and will certainly help the Tigers as a blocker in the run game. However, Deal also played quarterback as a senior in high school and has the agility and athleticism to become a red zone target for Nix.