Tight ends and fullbacks are two positions on a football team that are often under appreciated, if not downright forgotten (guilty). However, they can be the glue that holds a successful offense together.

Whether it be adding a little extra muscle in the run game or providing an outlet pass for the quarterback, tight ends and fullbacks do the dirty work that makes an offense run. The Buckeyes feature some highly experienced, highly talented players at these positions in 2011 who should do a fine job doing just that.

Early in the season, their experience and play making will be relied on even more as some of the other offensive personnel serve their suspensions.

A good indication of the talent available at TE and FB was their roll in the offense last season. With 40 catches between them, FB Zach Boren and TEs Jake Stoneburner and Reid Fragel were featured more prominently in the play calling than any group in recent memory.

One hallmark of a Tressel coached team is always finding ways to utilize their talent (albeit sometimes more successfully than others). Whether it be spreading the field five wide with Troy Smith at the helm in ’06 or pounding the rock with Beanie Wells out of the ‘I’ in ’07, Jim Tressel has shown that he is flexible and will adapt the offense to the talent on the field.

Ohio State opened up the playbook and featured the tight ends on some unique play-action passes in the Sugar Bowl that worked magnificently (possibly because they were so unexpected). While we most likely won’t be seeing those type of plays consistently next season (particularly early in the year with a new QB), Ohio State did find ways to get the ball to the tight ends in ways never before seen.

We won’t be seeing the end of Tresselball anytime soon, but could we see the tight ends and full backs incorporated into the offense in new and unique ways in 2011?

FB

#44 Zach Boren

Junior

6’0″ 252 lbs.

2011 will be Zach Boren’s third season as the freight train lead blocker in Ohio State’s offense. A starter since his freshman year, he has proved time and time again to be one of the most physical road graders in the Big Ten (seen here smashing Penn State linebackers as a true freshman).

With 10 catches for 68 yards in 2010, Boren can also be a viable target in the passing game.

Whether it is bringing the pain to apposing defenders or being a threat catching the ball out of the backfield, Boren is staking his claim as one of the best fullbacks to play for the Buckeyes in a long time.

#49 Adam Homan

Junior

6’2″ 238 lbs.

This may be surprising to some fans, but Adam Homan has played in all but one game the past two seasons. Even though he has technically been a backup the entire time, he has earned his way on the field as a fullback and on special teams.

The lack of eligibility separation between Homan and Boren is a bit concerning for the future, but in 2011 they will provide a monster one-two lead blocking punch that will be a lot of fun to watch.

#37 James Georgiades

RS Junior

5’11” 240 lbs.

A walk on, Georgiades won’t be seeing the field much in 2011 outside of possibly special teams. Like Boren and Homan, he is a junior eligibility wise… the Buckeyes will need to address the position through recruiting in 2013 at the latest.

TE

#11 Jake Stoneburner

RS Junior

6’5″ 245 lbs.

A converted WR out of high school, Stoneburner is the most dynamic receiving threat the Buckeyes have had at TE in some time. He had 21 receptions for 222 yards and 2 TDs last season, making him the most productive Buckeye TE in years.

He has worked hard to become a better blocker but still struggles at times in the run game. If he continues to improve his blocking skills he will become an even more balanced weapon for the Buckeyes.

With plenty of inexperience in a young WR corps, he could be the top target for the quarterbacks early in the year.

Beyond early in the season, blocker or not, Stoneburner has a chance to be one of the stars on the 2011 offense.

#88 Reid Fragel

Junior

6’8″ 260 lbs.

A towering TE and an outstanding blocker, Fragel also showed what he can do catching the ball last season. He had 9 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown on the year, but he saved his best for last with an outstanding play in the Sugar Bowl (1:55 into this video).

He provides the thunder to Stoneburner’s lightning at TE, and between them they are an outstanding and dangerous combination. We should be seeing them on the field simultaneously many times next season.

The most exciting thing is how they accentuate each other’s strengths: Stonburner is a good enough blocker that the offense doesn’t always have to run behind Fragel; Fragel is a good enough receiver that the defense can’t focus entirely on defending Stoneburner in the passing game.

It should be a great combination.

#48 Spencer Smith

RS Senior

6’2″ 236 lbs.

A former walk-on, Spencer Smith has played fullback and tight end during his time at Ohio State. He gives the offense some versatility and while he will never be a star, provides quality depth at multiple positions as needed.

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The Buckeyes also have two incoming freshman at TE in Nick Vannett and Jeff Heuerman. One of them could work their way into the rotation but a redshirt is a real possibility for both.

With a quartet of juniors, this is one of Ohio State’s most experienced groups on offense. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jim Tressel and the offensive staff attempting to get the ball in their hands early and often.

If the Sugar Bowl was any indication, they already have some new plays up their sleeves to do just that.