GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Although the smallest position group in the program in terms of numbers, Furman's six-man 2025 tight end corps promises to play a pivotal role in the Paladins' prospects this fall.
In terms of the historic importance the position has meant to the program's overall success over the last half century, Furman has produced 32 All-Southern Conference tight end selections since 1977 — a feat that may very well be unrivaled by any program at any level of college football.
From strategy to schemes to performance, Furman has succeeded in utilizing the position to notable effect, honoring the position's tradition with big-bodied, in-line personnel and, more recently by incorporating more agile performers to give defenses something else to consider. The evidence exists in the form of two Paladin tight ends now in the NFL — Ryan Miller, a 6-2, 230-pound three-time Paladin All-American about the enter his fourth year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Mason Pline, a 6-7, 265-pound 2023 All-SoCon performer and member of the San Francisco 49ers.
This year's crop of Paladin tight ends features both types of players.
"I'm excited about this group," said head coach
Clay Hendrix on Monday. "We'll start with
Joshua Burrell (6-3, 218, Gr.), who was new to us a year ago and was really the only guy we had entering the season after losing Mason Pline to the NFL. Unfortunately, we had him (Joshua) for one game and four plays before he got hurt and was lost for the season. He's back healthy and ready to go."
Burrell, who is joined this year by his twin brother, Jordan, an inside linebacker and graduate transfer from Lenoir-Rhyne, demonstrated his receiving ability in the preseason a year ago and in the Paladins' season opener against Ole Miss before being sidelined early in the second game versus Charleston Southern.
"I think Joshua and
Jackson Pryor (6-5, 227, So.) are dynamic pass catchers as well as good blockers, so we'll use them in a variety of ways. We could have several tight ends on the field at the same time.
"Jackson has probably put on 15-20 pounds from last year. Initially we thought we could redshirt him, but with the way things happened we couldn't keep him off the field. Plus, every time he touched the ball, he seemed to make a big play."
Pryor caught 16 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, including what proved to be the game winning score, a six-yard touchdown grab with a minute to go to beat The Citadel, 17-16, in Charleston. He went on to land SoCon All-Freshman Team honors and was recently recognized by the coaches as a Preseason All-SoCon first team selection.
Addressing its needs for a more in-line tight end performer, Furman added
Luke Clyburn (6-7, 265, Gr.) from Newberry (S.C.) College and
Preston Ross (6-6, 245, R-So.) from Ball State.
"Luke joined us in January and is a big-body player. He and Preston are more of the prototypical in-ine guys, but they are good athletes. They aren't going to stretch the field like Joshua and Jackson, but they are certainly capable receivers."
Two other players will look to contribute —
Aaron Beylin (6-3, 217, Sr.) and
Joseph Madden (6-4, 205, Fr.).
"Aaron's been in our program for four years and will give us some depth in there, and Joseph is a guy we're excited about. We had him in our camp. It will be fun to watch him develop."
"Coach (Justin) Roper (offensive coordinator) and coach (Nick) Verna (tight ends coach) have done a good job getting our tight ends involved in our offense."
