Bursting with Talent – Tight End Tandem Ready to Lead Green Group for ULM Football

MONROE, La. --- The Warhawk football team has established a reputation over the years of producing some of the top tight end talents in the conference. Recent names like Joey Trappey and departing senior Zeek Zacharie have joined the likes of ULM legends Jackie Harris, Joey Evans, and Tommy Jackson in garnering all-league first team accolades in their time by the bayou.

Entering the upcoming season, ULM’s tight ends will have a combined zero collegiate receptions. This unfamiliar crop going into the 2009 season might have fans thinking it will be a down year at a position that has been glamorized and featured in the recent successes of the Warhawk offenses.

Those fans will have another think coming with the start of the 2009 campaign.

Headlined by junior Alvin Jordan, Jr., and redshirt-freshman Keavon Milton, ULM will once again have the weapons at tight end to continue what the groups of old have started. The Warhawks seem poised to continue a streak of four-straight years of a first team all-conference tight end.

“It’s not just a nice stat or accomplishment,” Jordan said. “Coming in, you watch and see the hard work that goes into it every day. You don’t want to be the guy that causes the drop off. Everyone knows in our offense the tight ends get the ball and they put their best defenders on us. We just have to bring it.”

“I love being a part of this group,” Milton said. “It brings out the best in all of us. You have to come out here every day and compete. Alvin has been a great leader. He is like another coach to me, helping me get better. Zeke was a great leader who coached me up also. I have already had the opportunity to learn from some great tight ends and will have to keep that tradition alive.”

With the graduation of Zacharie and the movement of senior Mitch Doyle to the offensive line, Jordan is the front runner in a group of green tight ends. Having the edge as the upperclassman, the Mesquite, Texas, product used the spring to showcase his abilities within the Warhawks new wide open offense.

But Jordan isn’t alone in the mix for the starting tight end spot. Milton, standing at 6-5 and weighing just under 250 pounds, is an imposing figure on the field that has enjoyed a meteoric rise during the spring. A former Texas all-state tackle in high school, the Canton, native has the raw skills for blocking and caught 53 passes after moving to tight end as a senior.

“All spring we have been on the field at the same time,” Jordan said. “With us, it’s always who can catch the most passes and deliver the biggest hits. That keeps us sharp and helps us get better. You have to let the guys behind you push you and keep you on top of your game every day. You have to be 100 percent. Practicing with guys like Ty Kittle and Keavon, I have to bring my ‘A’ game every day otherwise they are going to out-compete me.”

While the tandem has pushed each other throughout the spring, the coaching staff for the Warhawks has salivated at the offensive possibilities. Fans will get used to seeing both talents on the field at the same time over the next few seasons.

As has been shown in the past, ULM will run two tight end formations out of the spread. Having a pair with the athletic ability of Jordan and Milton only further entrenches the need of the team to put both players on the field.

“I have been pretty fortunate to walk into a room with players with the talent of Keavon and Alvin,” ULM’s new tight ends coach Chris Vaszily said. “Those two have so much athletic ability despite very little playing experience. On top of their God-given ability, they work hard and try to do everything they are asked. They have a great attitude regardless of if they are having a good day or a bad one. All those things together are going to help them reach their ceiling – a ceiling that is pretty high.”

For the Warhawk fans and the 2009 ULM football team, the ascent towards that ceiling has already started.