It seems that Auburn football has finally begun a new chapter in the Bryan Harsin era, one that officially involves utilizing tight ends. John Samuel Shenker put up a historic performance in Tiger Stadium on Saturday, ending the night with 102 receiving yards.
It was the first time an Auburn tight end has put up 100+ receiving yards in a single game since Andy Fuller in 1994 versus Florida. The quarterback of that 1994 matchup? Patrick Nix.
The night was not looking great for Shenker at the beginning after the TE dropped two different passes, but he soon turned it around with five receptions for 102 yards, the longest reception for 35 yards.
John Samuel Shenker just recorded his 16th reception this season.
— Caleb Jones (@CalebJ_Rivals) October 3, 2021
He surpasses Philip Lutzenkirchen for most receptions by a tight end in a season since Lutz had 15 in 2012.
Shenker led the team in receiving yards in Death Valley on Saturday night, right above Demetris Robertson with six catches for 60 yards and then Tyler Fromm with three catches for 40 yards. After beating LSU, Shenker is Auburn football’s receiving leader with 18 catches for 236 yards.
There was much talk of increased use of tight ends when Bryan Harsin took over the program from Gus Malzahn and this record emphasizes that the first-year head coach is making the changes he said he would.
Malzahn primarily used tight ends for blockers rather than receivers, and therefore the position has been underutilized by the Tigers for years. Per AL.com, this is the first season that Auburn football has had a tight end put up double-digit receptions in one season since CJ Uzomah had 11 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns back in 2014.
Shenker’s “Ole Reliable” nickname from Nick Brahms last season has certainly stuck, and it seems that the tight end is embracing the role this season as he makes his way through a career year.