Junior Brandon Pettigrew leads a talented group of tight ends into the 2007 season.
After a solid 2006 season where he caught 24 balls for 310 yards and 4 touchdowns, Pettigrew looks to have a bigger role during the coming season.
With projected No. 2 wide receiver Artell Woods out for the season, Pettigrew should be a favorite target of quarterback Bobby Reid.
“Personally, I feel that I didn’t get the ball to [Pettigrew] as much as I should have last year,” Reid said. “Everybody knows he is a tremendous athlete, that he can make plays; he catches everything.”
Pettigrew said he is confident of the connection between him and Reid.
“I think [Reid} will be able to get the ball to not just me, but to the other players,” Pettigrew said.
Behind Pettigrew on the depth chart are senior Paschal Smith, junior Justin Waller and freshman Wilson Youman.
Offensive Coordinator Larry Fedora believes Pettigrew is integral to how the offense operates.
“A tight end does more than catch the football, and so Brandon was a huge part of why we were successful last year,” Fedora said. “That is a critical position in this offense.”
Fedora said he was also confident in Pettigrew’s ability beyond the passing game.
“That is a critical position in this offense, people only look at him from what he does catching the ball, but there’s so much more to what a tight end has to do,” Fedora said. “They got to be able to block, there is so many more things.”
Pettigrew is on the preseason list for the 2007 John Mackey award, given to the nation’s top tight end.
Coach Mike Gundy said he is optimistic about Pettigrew’s role in the offense.
“With Artie (Woods) not in there, we can do some things with Brandon to give the defenses some problems,” Gundy said. “Brandon is a great competitor, he runs well, and he’s got good hands.”
Reid said he also thinks Pettigrew will give defenses problems.
“If I was them, I would be worried about a guy like Pettigrew, because there’s no limit to what he can do,” Reid said. “He’s just a wonderful athlete, that’s all.”
Pettigrew showed his athleticism during the 2006 Bedlam game, where his two receptions for 40 yards had him plowing through defenders and break tackles.
Pettigrew is aware of the opportunity in the offense he has for the 2007 season.
“I think I’ll have a little bigger role, but we got some people who I think will step up, and play a bigger part,” Pettigrew said. “I think my role will increase a lot.”
Fedora said he knows Pettigrew’s role in the offense has changed.
“I would like to get the ball in his hands more,” Fedora said. “He will be a very integral part of this offense.”
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