Block first, catch second. That’s what tight ends need to do to earn playing time under head coach Dino Babers. If a tight end is one-dimensional, it’ll be hard for them to ever see the field in Syracuse’s offensive system. But if they can block, run routes and catch, then they’ll have opportunities.
For two years, Aaron Hackett blocked. In 2017, during his freshman year, he played in nine games, usually as an extra blocker, without recording a stat. Last year was a step up. He played in all 13 games and caught four total passes, including a touchdown against Pittsburgh.