Virginia football needed depth at tight end in 2019. Grant Misch, who had only moved to the position the spring prior, provided it, serving as senior starter Tanner Cowley’s primary backup.
Cowley and Misch proved to be a durable and dependable duo, as both played in all 14 games for UVA last season. Cowley handled the bulk of the work, playing 751 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, Misch received 171 snaps according to PFF. Christian Baumgardner was the only other tight end to see playing time, participating in one game.
With a season of experience under his belt, Misch is confident as he embarks on a more expanded role in 2020.
“From a year ago I would say I’m miles ahead of where I was,” said the 6’4”, 250-pound redshirt sophomore. ”Last year at this time, I was still trying to learn the offense. I was more focused on what I was doing rather than how I was doing it. In the offseason, being able to put on some weight, being able to gain some muscle, being able to get a little faster, even being at home, it really helped me. I think that’s probably the biggest helpful thing that’s been added to my game has been my size and my strength has gone up.”
As of June, Misch was the presumptive starter for the Cavaliers, with true freshman Josh Rawlings and redshirt freshman walk-on Mike Kosar competing for snaps in a reserve role. The lack of experience and proven depth was glaring, though, before Central Michigan graduate transfer Tony Poljan announced for UVA in July.
“When he hit the portal, we got the information through our recruiting department and it was transferred and relayed to us,” UVA Special Teams Coach Ricky Brumfield said, recalling UVA’s pursuit of the 6’7”, 260-pound Poljan. “Immediately we went after him because we knew our depth at the tight end position – we had Grant Misch, who is doing a phenomenal job as well, but we knew we needed another big-body guy to help us out offensively. We saw him in the portal, and as soon as he went in the portal we went in and attacked.”
Poljan, who has one season of eligibility remaining, changed the tight end position outlook for the Hoos in 2020 and potentially for the next few years. This season UVA now features a mature upperclassman with a lot of potential and starting experience in Poljan, an experienced sophomore in Misch, and a promising true freshman in Rawlings. The competition for the starting role continues; however Poljan’s arrival means Misch does not have to be thrust into a position he may not be ready for. Rawlings and Kosar have more time to develop too.
Misch, who began his Cavalier career on defense, was praised by Brumfield for having an exemplary mindset and has responded well to the addition of Poljan. Misch is competing hard and should play a sizable role no matter who starts. Moreover, the opportunity to learn from a potential NFL tight end is something the third year Hoo appreciates.
“Having Tony here has elevated this competition tremendously,” Misch said. “It’s a great thing because me and him are going to go out there every day and compete. Fighting for a spot, it just makes both of us better. We’re trying harder, running hard, hitting people harder. Both of us being out there is a really good thing for this team.”
Of Poljan, Misch said: “He’s a great guy. We bonded pretty quickly with him coming right at the beginning of camp, so we just started doing hard things right away, and that’s how you bond with someone the quickest. As a player, he’s a great player, and it’s helpful to me to have a great player in front of me, and someone older than me who has been doing it longer. I can continue to learn each and every single day from him. Big, long, athletic … good player.”
Misch hauled in one reception for six yards last season. The catch was an important one, though, as it went for a touchdown in a crucial ACC November road win over North Carolina. Misch’s primary responsibility was as a blocker in the run game, an experience that benefits him and the Cavalier 2020 rushing attack.
“We play a huge role in [the run game],” said Misch, who, according to Pro Football Focus, was a run-blocker on 127 of 171 snaps played in 2019. “Just about every run play, the tight end has some kind of role in. Us being able to be physical and us being strong and us knowing our techniques, that’s really key. From last year, I came in here and that’s really all I did to start off. During the season, you saw, I didn’t run many routes. So, I’ve kind of been practicing that for a year now, and now it’s getting easier. I’m being faster at it. I think Tony as well is doing a good job in the run game.”
More From Coach Ricky Brumfield
Brumfield, who is entering his third season as UVA’s Special Teams Coordinator, was named the program’s Tight Ends Coach this offseason. He provided his vision for what he wants the position to look like.
“We want to have at least four good, quality, big-body guys that can do multiple things,” said Brumfield, who . “We want to have height. We want to have length. We want to have some girth. We want kids that’s 6’6”, 6’5”, about 250. Not a tackle, but guys right off that tackle position that can be a hinderance for the defense in the run game and can be a hinderance for the defense in the passing game as well. We’re looking at four guys on a yearly basis that can do those things. Two older guys and two younger guys that we can kind of groom through the wings. Right now, I feel like we have that. We have four good guys that we can do some things with, with Tony, with Grant, with Josh, as well as with Kosar, and [true freshman walk-on Sackett Wood] as well, being that fifth guy.”
Rawlings, a standout true freshman out of Pennsylvania, enrolled on Grounds this past January. Unfortunately, he did not get the benefit of spring practice because of the coronavirus, but in fall camp he has shown some good things to his new position coach.
“He’s doing good,” Brumfield said of the 6’5”, 260-pound Rawlings. “He’s doing a lot of good things. He’s just got to do it consistently. He’ll have a couple good plays and then he’ll have that one play where he’ll kind of relapse a little bit, but he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. In the near future, to be honest with you. He’s a guy that will probably play for us down the road this year, but he will be really, really good in the future. He has got to make sure he stays consistent, stays physical every single play, and he’ll be great for us as well.”
A Versatile Skillset
The departure of the program’s lone scholarship big back, Jamari Peacock, has meant added responsibility for the tight ends. Misch feels this group is up to the task.
“Especially with Jamari gone now, we’ve kind of taken on more roles than we did last year,” Misch said. “Last year I was just kind of doing basic things, and this year I’ve been able to expand my play style a little more and been able to do some more things. With Tony’s athleticism he has been able to do a bunch of different things for us.”
Not to be a grammar junkie, but hindrance is the preferred usage rather than “ hinderance” in dictionary.