One observation from the 2011 season would be that Eastern's TE's weren't utilized in the offense as compared to previous years. This probably had as much to do with the injuries sustained there as much as it did the schemes, but a telling stat: no EWU TE scored a TD in 2011. With as many as 4 possible TE's available going into Spring practices, expect more productivity in 2012 with increased depth. It'd be great to see someone step up as a consistant goal-line threat like Nate Overbay in his Eagle days.
#85 Zack Gehring 6'5 245 Jr. 2L* Castle Rock, Wash.
Zack is the most experienced TE in the program going into the 2012 season. The son of former Eastern standout at TE Mark Gehring, Zack has the size and skills to have a great Junior year. He was dinged up for a lot of 2011, and it's unclear how limited he could be in Spring practices. But if he's healthy, look for Zack to be the go-to guy at TE in 2012.
#88 Ryan Seto 6'5 230 So. 1L Lynden, Wash.
Seto played as a true Freshman in the 2010 season, but appears to have gotten a redshirt in 2011, so in terms of eligibility he should be a Sophomore for the 2012 season. Ryan has good size, and should see playing time both in single TE and "big", two TE formations.
#82 Jake Withnell 6'5 225 Fr. HS* Salem, Ore.
Jake is one of three TE's that redshirted in 2011. He's another player with great size for the position. Judging from EWU's last several recruiting classes, it's obvious Coach Beau Baldwin likes to recruit high school players that were standouts on both sides of the ball, and Jake is no exception to this. Jake was a standout defensive player at DE in high school, so it wouldn't be strange to see him on the other side of the line of scrimmage if that's where he's needed.
Moved to other positions:
#94 T.J. Boatright 6'5 260 Fr. HS* Vancouver, Wash.
T.J. was the second TE from the outstanding 2011 recruiting class. He also fits the description of an athlete
that could probably play a few different positions. It's no wonder then, that he was part of a state 3A Championship basketball team at Union High in Vancouver in addition to being selected by the Seattle Times as one of the top 100 HS prospects in the state as a TE and LB. It's easy to see why Eastern wanted him as a TE, as often time good hands and leaping ability on the court translates to the same thing around the goal-line on the football field.
#89 Jason Boyce 6'5 225 Fr. HS* Kent, Wash.
Jason is the brother of former Eagle standout at WR Aaron Boyce. Jason redshirted in 2011, so the first time Eagle fans will get to see him on the field is in Spring practices. I think he's probably one of those type players that's athletic enough to play a number of different positions, so it'll be interesting to see where he plays in 2012. Playing tall, athletic guys at WR has really paid off for Eastern the past several years, so maybe that's where Jason will make his mark. Again, time will tell.
#85 Zack Gehring 6'5 245 Jr. 2L* Castle Rock, Wash.
Zack is the most experienced TE in the program going into the 2012 season. The son of former Eastern standout at TE Mark Gehring, Zack has the size and skills to have a great Junior year. He was dinged up for a lot of 2011, and it's unclear how limited he could be in Spring practices. But if he's healthy, look for Zack to be the go-to guy at TE in 2012.
#88 Ryan Seto 6'5 230 So. 1L Lynden, Wash.
Seto played as a true Freshman in the 2010 season, but appears to have gotten a redshirt in 2011, so in terms of eligibility he should be a Sophomore for the 2012 season. Ryan has good size, and should see playing time both in single TE and "big", two TE formations.
#82 Jake Withnell 6'5 225 Fr. HS* Salem, Ore.
Jake is one of three TE's that redshirted in 2011. He's another player with great size for the position. Judging from EWU's last several recruiting classes, it's obvious Coach Beau Baldwin likes to recruit high school players that were standouts on both sides of the ball, and Jake is no exception to this. Jake was a standout defensive player at DE in high school, so it wouldn't be strange to see him on the other side of the line of scrimmage if that's where he's needed.
Moved to other positions:
#94 T.J. Boatright 6'5 260 Fr. HS* Vancouver, Wash.
T.J. was the second TE from the outstanding 2011 recruiting class. He also fits the description of an athlete
that could probably play a few different positions. It's no wonder then, that he was part of a state 3A Championship basketball team at Union High in Vancouver in addition to being selected by the Seattle Times as one of the top 100 HS prospects in the state as a TE and LB. It's easy to see why Eastern wanted him as a TE, as often time good hands and leaping ability on the court translates to the same thing around the goal-line on the football field.
#89 Jason Boyce 6'5 225 Fr. HS* Kent, Wash.
Jason is the brother of former Eagle standout at WR Aaron Boyce. Jason redshirted in 2011, so the first time Eagle fans will get to see him on the field is in Spring practices. I think he's probably one of those type players that's athletic enough to play a number of different positions, so it'll be interesting to see where he plays in 2012. Playing tall, athletic guys at WR has really paid off for Eastern the past several years, so maybe that's where Jason will make his mark. Again, time will tell.
