Feeling There is Plenty to Put on Display

They kept waiting. The coaching staff, as well as the player himself. Injuries can alter a timeline in a frustrating way for all involved, but patience can pay off.

That's what Colorado State is hoping for in the case of Jaxxon Warren. Warren's goal is to exceed those hopes. But a funny thing happened along the way. Funny as in positive.

While Warren was still limited in the spring – basically avoiding any and all contact – somebody had to take those reps. As it turned out, the guy they brought in with the experience of his hand in the dirt – Rocky Beers – just so happened to prove he was pretty adept at running routes and displaying strong balls skills. Basically, more than they bargained for, like opening a Happy Meal and getting not one, but two toys in the box.

"There really wasn't a ton of film on him. You saw athleticism for sure," tight ends coach Grant Chesnut said. "Then the system he was in, they used him more in the run-game piece than in the pass game. As we came through some of our team workouts in January and February, we started to see some things in the pass game. We thought, wow, this guy might be able to help us.

"Then he had a really good spring. He did a great job in the spring catching the football. Again, creating confidence and trust from our quarterbacks and the other guys. It just really propelled him. It grew his confidence in who he was and what he was capable of doing."

Beers isn't complaining. He's happy to be a surprise, heading into his fifth year. And he understands, saying he was able to learn from some quality tight ends at ever stop, places he was primarily a reserve. He started at Air Force, not exactly a pass-happy offense. He played at FIU, his second season cut short by an opening-game injury.

"I've been blessed to be under some really good tight ends, and I just kind of watch them work, and I just kind of chip away at my game," Beers said. "I can't blame anybody for not knowing that I can catch.

"I mean, it was more fun to catch the ball than to catch people off guard, but yeah, I was expecting people to not really know what I'm about. That's OK."

While they are the two main components in Chesnut's room at the moment, they do not hold back when it comes to the depth they feel is at the position. They are both big fans of Carlos Anaya and Jaden Landrum, as well as Ryan McConnell – the latter two having switched positions recently.

The more the merrier, too. It's not just the offense they can impact, but special teams units traditionally rely heavily upon the athletes in that room.

"I think this is one of the most athletic tight end groups I've been a part of, especially Jax. Jax carries most of that," Beers said. "He's a freak of nature. He's more athletic than all of us, standing at like 6-foot-9. His hands, I think, 11 inches, maybe, 12. Dude can catch anything you put around him.

"He just needs one hand. And I'm really excited to see what he does this year. I'm just hoping I can complement him wherever I can."

Warren is the one who sticks out for God-given reasons Beers described as well as his enviable wingspan. What he also has in droves is enthusiasm.

To prove himself as a tight end, but most of all, just the chance to be playing again. He's like a little kid on a playground who was just released from a timeout.

"To be honest, it does feel like that. You know, it's been a huge mental battle over the past eight, nine months, just going through those surgeries, you know, having to wait my turn," Warren said. "You know, just trying to prepare mentally every single day, as well as physically, getting my body right.

"But I'm back now, I feel better than ever, and I feel like a kid in a candy store. It's a privilege to be out there with those guys, just running around every day."

Jay Norvell's passing attack has always been more threatening with the threat of a quality tight end who is more than a check-down receiver, but someone who lengthens the field. Colorado State fans saw it in Dallin Holker. Nevada fans were treated to Cole Turner – both of whom were All-Mountain West performers.

That is a lot to ask of a player who has never played a college football game, let alone as the position he's not asked to man.

So be it.

"I've started to look at it the way that pressure is a privilege, and I know the role that's expected out of me this season, and I'm 100% ready for it," Warren said. "I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. I've been preparing for this, and I truly do feel like I'm ready. You know, we've got a great group of guys on all three sides of the ball, and we're going to have a lot of fun this season. A lot of big plays are going to happen, and I'm just really looking forward to it."

The truth is, it's a chance for both Beers and Warren to prove they are all-around tight ends, not just glorified large tight ends who split out. Beers is out to prove he's a threat in the passing game, Warren to prove he can block.

If they both hit their marks, Colorado State is looking at a potent personnel group with both tight ends on the field, both of them capable of beating coverage.

"It is tremendously important. When you can go out and run your entire offense with two tight ends on the field, that's a nightmare for defenses," Chesnut said. "If you ask (defensive coordinator Tyson) Summers about it, he's like, 'oh, gosh.'

"He'll tell you when you have two tight ends on the field, it cuts his calls by 80%. When you think about that, you're dumbing down the defense. You're creating an advantage schematically where you can go execute your base plays and do it in a really powerful way."

For a spell now, there's been anticipation about the potential in the group. What there had not been much of to this point is participation. The season is just a week away; the wait is nearly over.

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