Think all the way back to 2013 for a minute. After Coby Fleener was chosen as the All-Pac-12 tight end in 2011 and Zach Ertz earned the honor in 2012, Stanford had clearly established itself as the home of the tight end. But in 2013, the cupboard was bare. The position accounted for only ten receptions that season, and five of those came from converted defensive ends.
If there were any doubts about the Tight End Factory, however, all were dispelled in 2014 when Austin Hooper, Greg Taboada, and Eric Cotton -- all redshirt freshmen -- emerged and reinvigorated the signature position in Stanford's offense. Those three combined for 55 receptions for 763 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Tight End U was alive and well.
Although some of the numbers dipped a bit, the tight ends continued to play a prominent role in the Stanford offense in 2015. A year after being chosen second team All-Pac-12 last year, Austin Hooper was elevated to the first team after catching 31 balls for 415 yards and six touchdowns this season. (For comparison's sake, Zach Ertz had an eye-popping 69 receptions for 898 yards in 2012.)
Hooper actually had nine more receptions last season, but he was more important to this year's offense. He isn't as physically imposing as the Stanford tight ends who came before him, but Hooper still presents matchup difficulties for linebackers, and this year he became one of Kevin Hogan's favorite targets, whether in the red zone or in third down situations. Hooper's versatility can be seen in his six touchdowns. In order, they went for 42, 16, 4, 21, 28, and 10 yards. He was the best tight end in the conference, plain and simple.
Greg Taboada's production slipped a bit in 2015, dropping from 8 receptions for 136 yards to just 5 for 66, but that had more to do with the emergence of a talented newcomer. Dalton Schultz was one of the most highly regarded tight end recruits in America when he signed with the Cardinal in 2014, and while the numbers weren't overwhelming in this debut season, he made it clear that conference and national honors are likely just a year or two away.
Schultz finished the regular slate with only ten catches for 121 yards and a touchdown, but his impact was felt on a regular basis. As early as last spring David Shaw singled him out as being the best blocking tight end on the roster, and Schultz supported that praise frequently. He's comfortable lining up with his hand in the dirt alongside the offensive linemen, and he never shied away from sealing off defensive ends or picking off linebackers in front of a Christian McCaffrey run. With this combination of physical blocking and pass-catching prowess, it won't be long before Schultz develops into Stanford's next all-conference tight end and Mackey Award candidate.
One indicator of the coaching staff's confidence in Schultz, along with Hooper and Taboada, was the decision last week to move former tight end Eric Cotton to the defensive side of the ball where he'll look to add depth to the defensive line. And just in case you're worried about the long-term health of the position, put those worries to rest. Stanford currently holds commitments from the #2 prep tight ends in the classes of 2016 and 2017, Kaden Smith and Colby Parkinson. Indeed, Tight End U is alive and well.
Overall Grade: A-