By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

The new OAYP advanced metric ranks the ACC’s returning tight ends.

In case you missed any of the previous positional rankings, click the links below. The quarterback rankings also have a more thorough explanation of the formula.

QB | RB | WR

As we did with the quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers, and will do with all of the other position groups, lets tier them out into x98superstars (marginal OAYP >1), x98second tier (marginal OAYP between 0.5-1.0), and potential breakout stars (players that didnt get enough reps to qualify, but posted high OAYP scores on a smaller sample size).

With nine qualified returnees from eight different teams represented, we should get a pretty clear picture of how the ACC tight ends will look even relative to the national scores when those come out.

*marginal OAYP in parentheses*

Superstars

-Jack Freudenthal, Wake Forest (1.38)
-Carl Tucker, North Carolina (1.28)

A former walk-on, Jack Freudenthal emerged as a reliable safety valve for Wake Forest last season. He had big shoes to fill as Cam Serignes replacement, and while he wasnt as productive as his predecessor, he was even more efficient. Serigne averaged 12.6 yards per reception during his senior season with a 20.5% touchdown rate. In 2018, Freudenthal went for 13.7 yards per catch with a 26.7% touchdown rate. He returns as the team leader in yards per target and second in success rate, and will be leaned on more heavily after the departure of Greg Dortch and Alex Bachman.

Meanwhile, UNCs Carl Tucker returns with the highest yardage per reception average among qualified returnees at the position and is especially dynamic with the ball in his hands. 48.9% of those 16.56 yards per reception came after the catch. Tucker could thrive under new offensive coordinator Phil Longo, whose tight ends averaged 15.96 yards per reception during his time at Ole Miss.

Second Tier

-Tyler Davis (UConn), Georgia Tech (0.74)

This projection comes with the obvious caveat that while Tyler Davis had an impressive junior year at Connecticut, hes now at a new school, in a tougher conference, and no one knows what to expect from Georgia Techs offense as they transition away from Paul Johnsons option attack. For what its worth, Davis had a higher catch rate a season ago than any of Georgia Techs pass catchers that were targeted more than once, and brings to Atlanta more touchdowns than the rest of their returnees combined. We know Davis can continue to be a solid red zone threat, even against ACC competition, but aside from that there are still more questions than answers.

Potential Breakout Star

-Cary Angeline, NC State (1.69)

After losing quarterback Ryan Finley, two of the best receivers in the league, Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers, their leading rusher Reggie Gallaspy, their top three offensive linemen, including Rimington Trophy winner Garrett Bradbury, and offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz, NC States offense will look a lot different in 2019. However, in the pre-Drinkwitz era, Dave Doerens offenses were more reliant on the tight ends, and while Angeline wont be what Jaylen Samuels was in that offense, some David Grinnage type usage may not be a bad idea in this transitional period.

Full Marginal OAYP Rankings for Qualifying ACC Tight Ends

1. Jack Freudenthal, Wake Forest (1.38)
2. Carl Tucker, North Carolina (1.28)
3. Tyler Davis (UConn), Georgia Tech (0.74)
4. Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech (0.09)
5. Korab Idrizi, Boston College (-0.14)
6. Noah Gray, Duke (-0.32)
7. Brevin Jordan, Miami (-0.63)
8. Tre McKitty, Florida State (-0.86)
9. Brandon Chapman, Wake Forest (-1.55)