2022 Bison depth chart position preview: Tight End

Thru the summer months, we will look at each position on the Bison football team and examine the depth chart at those positions, ranging from current players on the team to incoming players that could play.

The next position group to focus on is a critical one to the Bison offense, tight end.

Beyond the pass catching ability that is critical to this spot, if you want to get on the field for the Bison you need to block. It's a critical piece of the West Coast offense and the players returning are all in different phases of their NDSU careers.

The Bison said goodbye to five year player Josh Babicz after this past season. Babicz turned into a reliable receiving threat over the last three seasons, finishing with 11 career touchdown receptions. Babicz wasn't the only departure from the tight end room, Cavalier native Andre Carrier entered the transfer portal after spring football. Carrier played in just one game during his two years in the program. Third year player Travis Yohnke also left after struggling to see the field during two years of game action without a catch.

NOAH GINDORFF - SENIOR

Gindorff was on track to be leaving NDSU when the FCS Playoffs began last December. But a freak injury later, and the Bison have a huge weapon returning to the tight end room in 2022.

Gindorff's fractured ankle against Southern Illinois made it a virtual no-brainer for him to use his sixth year of eligbility.

The 2021 season was an odd one for Gindorff, who didn't have a reception until the fourth game of the season. The mid-range passing game with which Quincy Patterson struggled with, made Gindorff invisible.

When Miller was inserted into the lineup, we saw how valuable Gindorff is, catching nine of his 17 receptions after the QB change.

His size is undeniable at 6-6, 266 pounds and his receptions to touchdowns ratio is almost as good: 38 career catches, 11 touchdowns.

Gindorff is on the NFL radar for not only his size and pass catching ability, but he can block. He's a tremendous red zone threat and Cam Miller has to be jumping up and down that number 87 is back for another season.

JOE STOFFEL - JUNIOR

If Gindorff had moved on, this guy would be the next top option. As it is, he's not a bad number two.

Stoffel has seen plenty of the field, but it's been on special teams. Remarkably, he's already had a handful of kickoff returns as the up-man.

He has just one career catch, that came in the regular season finale against South Dakota, but the potential for a breakout year is there.

Stoffel was one of the prized recruits of the Class of 2020 with nearly 20 scholarship offers. At 6-3, 244 pounds, he has the size to be a problem for linebackers and defensive backs. Look for Stoffel to be a factor on offense this season.

JACOB STREIT - Streit joined NDSU in January after transferring from Northern State and adds some much needed experience to a young room.

Streit is the older brother of Bison basketball player Josh, Jacob caught six touchdown passes for the Wolves in 2018 and then had some difficult times.

Streit was hurt and missed all of 2019 and then Northern State didn't play in 2020 because of COVID-19. He had three touchdowns in ten games this past fall, but comes to NDSU with two years of eligibility remaining.

Streit coming in the winter was a big deal, as he was able to go thru spring workouts. His ability to pick up the offense will be critical to see how quickly he gets on the field this fall.

FINN DIGGINS - REDSHIRT FRESHMAN

Besides being on the all-name team, Diggins is a heck of an athlete.

A tremendous multi-sport standout at Perham High School, Diggins redshirted this past season. Roehl has spoke glowingly about Diggins' ability and you can see why NDSU is high on him and his potential going forward.

With the amount of older players in front of him, 2022 may not be the year he breaks out. But with injuries that are prevalent at this position, you never know. Diggins is one to watch as the season develops.

IN THE PIPELINE

Tight end is a spot that NDSU hit hard for the Class of 2022. They signed four players, including two local products in Hatton-Northwood's Kelby Azure and Barnesville's Kaden Zenzen.

Each have tremendous skill sets that you can see why they had multiple Division I offers. Nate Forystek from Bay Port High School in Wisconsin is a giant 6-7 and was a highly touted player out of that area.

NDSU has some young players that could potentially play in a couple games this fall without burning their redshirt. Let's watch for that.

ANALYSIS

The tight end spot has produced back to back NFL players in Ben Ellefson and Babicz, with Gindorff the next one on the way.

This has been a hugely critical part of the Bison offense and Miller was able to take advantage of that when he took over as the starting quarterback. His ability to find the tight ends will be even more critical in 2022.