Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 11, 1994 TAG: 9408120045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
This is the year, Virginia Tech's sophomore tight end said, ``to make my statement that I am a good player, and being a Parade All-America wasn't a fluke.''
For those who wonder why Jennings' high school credentials and obvious receiving and running skills don't immediately install him as a Hokie starter, see John Burke. Burke, last year's starting tight end, sealed off the corners of defenses well enough that quarterback Maurice DeShazo frolicked on option runs and roll-outs, and tailback Dwayne Thomas gained scads of his 1,130 yards on pitch-sweeps.
Jennings, 6 feet 4 and 241 pounds, needs to block to play - even if it costs the receiver-rich Hokies another pass-catching threat. The Jefferson Forest High School graduate is co-No. 1 at tight end with senior Kevin Martin, who has caught two passes in 27 games while playing mostly on special teams.
The word ``blocking'' now makes Jennings grin.
``I've heard it and heard it since I've been up here,'' Jennings said Wednesday during Tech's annual media day at Lane Stadium. ``I've been working on getting my strength up. I'm no John Burke. ... It isn't that difficult. I make it difficult. I block here good, there I mess up.''
Jennings needs more ``goods'' than ``mess-ups'' in the next few weeks. Varsity two-a-day practices begin today in preparation for Tech's Sept. 3 season opener against Arkansas State at home, and somebody's going to start at tight end. Jennings hasn't won the job outright despite his potential and experience in every game last season.
First-year Tech offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill said attacking the corners will be as important to his Hokie offense as it was to Tech's record-setting '93 unit under Rickey Bustle. The Hokies averaged 201 yards passing and completed almost 12 balls per game; Burke caught 10 passes during the regular season. Yet Tranquill knows exactly how much Burke's blocking contributed to Tech's school-record 4,885 total yards and 36.4 points per game.
So, can Jennings do that?
``From everything I've seen,'' Tranquill said, ``Bryan Jennings can do anything he wants to do. He's a very talented young man.
``Even at this stage in his career, he's a prototype-looking tight end. He has size, speed, quickness, good hands and the physical ability to block. Now, he's got to become a thug as a blocker.''
Tranquill called Martin, 22 and a fifth-year senior, tougher and more mature than the 19-year-old Jennings, who was held back in spring practice by tendinitis in a knee. Jennings says he's stronger this year, citing an extra 20 pounds on his bench press. But, he said, that's not his real fault anyway.
``It's all technique and heart,'' he said.
There's little question Tech wants Jennings' hands on the field. As a high school senior, he caught 19 passes for 654 yards, had 220 yards rushing on nine carries, scored 11 touchdowns and was Virginia's Group AA player of the year (the same honor won after the '89 season by DeShazo).
Tight ends coach Bryan Stinespring raved about Jennings' receiving abilities and said he's a better blocker, but said he still needs to block ``the sweep and isolation.'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said Jennings gives Tech's passing game ``flexibility,'' then added: ``If he can get close to where John Burke was as a blocker ...''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB