In 2011, three Bulls tight ends combined for 11 catches for 125 yards. In one game against Morgan State in 2012, tight ends had three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
It would be an understatement to say the tight ends took a step forward in 2012.
Junior Jimmy Gordon was the fifth-leading receiver in the offense, finishing with 17 receptions for 162 yards, trailing only three players in catches.
Junior Alex Dennison had six catches of his own for 64 yards, while freshman Matt Weiser had a catch for 15 yards.
Altogether, the unit more than doubled its catches and had 116 more receiving yards than it did in 2011.
"There were always opportunities for them to make plays," said head coach Jeff Quinn. "I just think they were becoming more cognizant of their opportunities and they took advantage of it."
But those stats alone don't tell the whole story of the tight ends' season. Dennison was more than just a tool in the offense; he was a Swiss Army Knife.
Dennison was the only player to catch a pass, throw a pass and have positive running yards for the Bulls. His trick plays wreaked havoc on opponents' defenses more than once during the season.
Dennison was tied for second on the team with two rushing touchdowns and he connected on all three of his passing attempts, one of which went for a touchdown.
"It's kind of nerve-wracking because you anticipate the play being called all week, you know it's going to happen and deep down inside, you know it's going to be successful," he said. "It's just most of the execution falls on my shoulders in whether I can deliver in those certain moments."
Although Dennison and Gordon expect to be two of the offensive leaders this season, there are two younger players who will also be looking to make an impact.
Weiser played in all 12 games last season and will look to make more plays this year in an offense Quinn says will feature a bigger role for tight ends.
Freshman Mason Schrek will be the fourth contributor. Schrek redshirted last season but Quinn is excited to see what he can do on the field. Like Dennison, Schrek played quarterback in high school.
"They are a very multidimensional, very talented group of kids because they understand being able to be in a blocking responsibility and then being able to be an effective pass receiver," Quinn said.
Dennison and Gordon's hard work led the tight ends' resurgence last year. This will be their fifth season together and the two have fed off each other ever since they got on campus.
In their final season, they will likely be two key seniors in a senior-laden offense and will look to set the tone for the rest of the offense as blockers and receivers.
"Jimmy is more of a physical presence," Dennison said. "He gets the tone set by hitting people and making plays that way. I try to be a presence vocally on the offense, getting guys ready to go, ready to play. We try to motivate people with our action and motivating people with our words."
In an offense that returns nearly everyone from last season, Dennison and Gordon will be key to relieving other star players. Whether it's blocking for junior running back Branden Oliver or pulling defensive backs off junior receiver Alex Neutz by being a receiving threat, the tight ends will be an essential part of the Bulls' offense in 2013.
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