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– Linebacker Sed Ellis and tight end Chris Loving are still suspended, but are working out on campus. They are not with the team. McCarney said he would decide before the beginning of two-a-days is both will be reinstated. Read more updates from Vito's C-USA media coverage here: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/07/conference-usa-media-day-running-blog-2.html/

I got a chance to watch the replay of the game I taped on DVR and a couple of things in regards to the tight end position caught my eye. Danny Prior - Seemed to get a lot of snaps not only at tight end but as a full-back h-back. He is a stout blocker and very athletic as a runner. I really liked seeing them give him the ball on the third down and short plays. He proved that he can get 2-3 yards running the ball when you need him to. Receiving still needs some work. Marcus Smith - tough game for Mr. Smith. His blocking needs work. He let a defensive end or tackle get past him on the off side of one play and the guy ended up assisting on a tackle. The good news is he knew it right away so hopefully he can fix it next time. He also missed a tough pass that DT put some mustard on and was high. I still felt it was a catchable ball. I think the problem with guys like Smith, who was a receiver in high school - he never had to block before much less 6-4, 300 pound guys so it takes some adjustment. He missed spring which also puts him behind. Drew Miller - Probably the best all around guy, he seems to have the best hands (2 receptions in the game) and is a good blocker. Still needs to improve on his catching abilities. Tanner Smith - Very solid technically sound blocker. I think he helps you in the running game. I think getting open in the passing game is his challenge right now. Cooper Jones - I never saw him play in the game. For those who want more action to the tight end I really think they tried in this game but weren't getting the execution (too many drops) and moved away. It was odd to see big Chris Loving on the sideline - guy looks like he is in great shape..something more to the story there...sure seems like he might could help us now especially against a team like Georgia. Right now it appears that Drew Miller is our best all around traditional tight end option and Daniel Prior as the full back h-back guy.

We now have 9 on the roster!! 96 Cade Carter TE 6-3 230 JR Lucas, TX Trinity Valley CC 87 Cooper Jones TE 6-4 243 SO Lone Oak, TX Lone Oak HS 14 Chris Loving TE 6-4 272 JR Klein, TX Blinn CC 98 Jarrod Lynn TE 6-0 233 SO Grapevine, TX Grapevine HS 86 Drew Miller TE 6-1 258 SR Prosper, TX Prosper HS 89 Daniel Prior TE 6-2 246 SR Henderson, TX Henderson HS 48 Wylie Reinhardt TE 6-4 275 FR Saginaw, TX Saginaw HS 18 Marcus Smith TE 6-4 255 SO San Antonio, TX Warren HS 88 Tanner Smith TE 6-3 250 JR Fort Worth, TX Nolan Catholic HS

If Loving is eligible and makes it to Denton consider moving him to defensive tackle! He's 6-4, 270 and VERY athletic....hopefully Marcus Smith is healthy and he, Dru Miller, Danny Prior, Cooper Jones and Tanner Smith can tow the line at TE.... My boy true frosh Wylie Rheinhardt could possibly fit in on either side as well although I'd prefer to red shirt him.

Chris Loving is going to get a second chance to play football on the FBS level. The Blinn College product said tonight that he is seriously considering making UNT the place he finally reaches his goal. Loving will take an official visit to UNT this weekend. “I’m pretty excited about maybe playing at North Texas,” Loving said. “The coaches made it sound like a fun place to be. I know coach [Mike] Grant and talked to the new tight ends coach they just hired [Tommy Perry]. I really like the program. They said that the program is on its way up and I can be a part of it.” Loving was an honorable mention All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference selection last season and was a standout player at Klein. The question when it comes to Loving has always been his grades. Texas A&M, Miami, Utah, Colorado State and UTEP were among the teams that offered him a scholarship when he was a senior in high school. Loving didn’t qualify and ended up at Blinn. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/01/taking-recruiting-with-chris-loving.html/