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Speedy Jameson Konz switches to tight end for his senior season
By Jonas Fortune
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Sunday, Apr 13, 2008
KENT: What is the ideal position for senior-to-be Jameson Konz to play for Kent State?
For KSU football coach Doug Martin, the answer was fairly obvious: tight end.
Konz had been a durable two-year starter at linebacker.
''He was just a great offensive player in high school, but we never had the depth on defense to move him,'' Martin said. ''Looking back, I wish I had done it a year ago because of his speed and athleticism; he is a tight end that not many people have. . . . He makes our offense so much better.''
A receiver at Lake High School, Konz gave offenses fits for much of last season. Aside from his linebacker position, he could line up as a down lineman and use his strength, speed and athleticism to pressure the quarterback. He finished the season with 43 tackles and two sacks.
But as last season progressed, Martin knew he would have tremendous depth at linebacker this season.
Seniors Derek Burrell (112 tackles), Cedrick Maxwell (74) and Stevon Moss (57 in eight games) all averaged more than six tackles per game last season. They will be joined at linebacker by University of Michigan transfer Cobrani Mixon, who sat out last season because of NCAA transfer regulations.
Martin also knew that he was losing starting tight end Tom Sitko, a fifth-year senior who would be out of eligibility.
Although Konz has been a starting linebacker for two seasons and has missed only one game in his career, he is more valuable to the team on the offense.
''His natural position is on the offensive side of the ball,'' Martin said. ''You watch the way he catches the ball and runs routes and makes plays on offense, that is where he belongs.''
Konz, 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, is already the fastest player on the team and offensive coordinator A.J. Pratt said his route running is as good as any of the receivers.
The addition of Konz to the offense gives Kent State another option that can stretch the field and create mismatches for defenses.
''I like the opportunity to make plays,'' Konz said. ''Get the ball in my hands, make people miss, make some big gains. Hopefully, me being at tight end can open more of the passing game and (junior running back Eugene Jarvis) can run more.''
Despite the obvious advantage of his physical attributes, Konz also brings an ability to read defenses that few offensive players have.
''I can line up and I just kind of look up and I know, just by their formations,'' Konz said. ''I can say, 'I have been here before.' I know exactly what they are going to do and I can find out where the holes are.''
The move puts the Golden Flashes into a better situation to win, but it also gives Konz an opportunity to showcase his skills for pro football.
''Really for Jameson to play beyond college, this is going to give him a great opportunity for him to show what he can really do,'' Martin said.
Jonas Fortune can be reached at jfortune@thebeaconjournal.com.
KENT: What is the ideal position for senior-to-be Jameson Konz to play for Kent State?
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