Redshirt junior Pharoah McKever had just a few practices under his belt at tight end last December before the Belk Bowl, but it was just enough time to get in a specific play designed to utilize his athletic ability.
The former defensive end waited patiently on the sideline at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte during the game against Mississippi State for an opportunity to run it. His new position coach, Eddie Faulkner, reminded McKever to read his key when the time came: Once the linebacker vacated his area, he was free to release into his crossing route.
McKever was confident. He had told head coach Dave Doeren all week during bowl preparations that he was going to score if he got the ball. It was a pledge that the new tight end repeated to his coach one last time before the game started.
The time came when NCSU lined up at their own 17-yard line.
“When I saw the linebacker out of the corner of my eye trigger, that’s when I released,” McKever recalled.
After quarterback Jacoby Brissett made the pass, McKever had nothing but green field in front of him. He used his athleticism to do the rest and scored the 83-yard touchdown.
That score reminded McKever of one thing: he needed to focus on his conditioning this offseason to prepare for his new position. With help from strength and conditioning coordinator Dantonio Burnette, McKever dropped from 275 pounds to 250.
“I feel great,” he said. “I feel like I am in top-notch shape. Running that 83-yarder was my first time running that long outside the previous year at Syracuse [when McKever had an 82-yard pick-six], or even going back to high school. I never really ran that long in high school either.”
McKever is following the plan that Faulkner and Doeren set for him as he tries out his new position.
“I think I made some great strides,” he said. “Tight end is very key in this offense.”
There is an opportunity for him at the position. Junior Cole Cook is the most experienced option after he started four games last year. Known more for his blocking, Cook caught six passes for 61 yards.
If junior Jaylen Samuels is to be listed as a tight end, he was the Pack’s leading receiver last year at 65 receptions for 597 yards and seven touchdowns. But Samuels is probably more suitably labeled an H-Back/running back.
The rest of the tight end room has limited options, especially after David J. Grinnage decided to turn pro following last season during which he caught 25 passes for 290 yards and three scores.
“It was actually surprising to me,” McKever said. “Me and David have a great relationship. I wished him the best, and I watched him do his pro day.
“As far as the competition at tight end, it’s just next man up.”
In terms of playing time, the move may have been a blessing in disguise for McKever. He was competing in a crowded depth chart at defensive end. He admits that he misses the contact on the defensive side of the ball, but he is not looking back.
“Like I told Coach Doeren, wherever you need me, I’m there,” he said.
Read more about NC State’s practices in The Wolfpacker’s spring football headquarters
