ATLANTA -- Tight end has been a position of strength for Georgia State the last two seasons, and the Panthers hope that trend will continue this season with all-conference senior Keith Rucker, backed up by talented sophomore Ari Werts and steady junior Bill Teknipp.
A fourth player added to the mix at tight end is sophomore Emiere Scaife, who is still in the mix at quarterback but could also see action at tight end.
Georgia State's season opener is less than two weeks away as the Panthers host Ball State on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.
Rucker, the 6-3, 245-pound senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, is on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award as one of the nation's top tight ends. He is the second straight Panther to be recognized on this list, following Joel Ruiz in 2014.
After catching 39 passes for 522 yards and six touchdowns last season, Rucker earned second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. He ranks among the top 10 in GSU history in career receptions (58), receiving yards (786) and touchdowns (eight).
Teknipp, a 6-4, 245-pounder from McDonough, Ga., is a strong blocker. He is also one of the team's top students as a biological science major with multiple appearances on the Dean's List and Sun Belt Commissioner's List.
Werts, from Stephenson High School, showed his potential in limited action as a freshman last fall. His best game was the AutoNation Cure Bowl, when he had three receptions for 63 yards.
Now he looks to take another step forward in his sophomore season.
"I'm learning a lot of new things and running routes better, and I got stronger and faster over the summer with Coach [Holsopple]," he said.
And he says he's eating a lot as he tries to add weight to his 6-2, 225-pound frame. A typical meal might include six pieces of baked chicken, plus carbs, fruit, vegetables and milkshakes.
A receiver in high school, Werts made the conversion to tight end after arriving at Georgia State and has taken to the position and its dual role.
"I love blocking, but I love getting off the line and going against linebackers," he said.
"I just want to catch every pass that's thrown my way, however many that is, and make plays whenever my coach puts me in."
