CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Thunderbirds are bringing back quite a bit of experience on the 2019 roster, but one area from the 2018 team they lose a lot of production is with the tight end position group. 

Both Logan Parker and McCoy Hill saw a lot of playing time for the Thunderbirds last season. Hill was third on the team in total receptions with 32 for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Parker finished the year with 20 catches for 241 yards and one touchdown. Following the season, Parker went to minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

"They were great," SUU tight ends coach Teag Whiting said. "They were awesome blockers, they could dominate defensive ends, they could block out on the perimeter and were great route runners with great hands. We miss them big time." 

On this year's roster the most experienced TE in the group is Nick Colson, who caught seven passes for 79 yards and one touchdown last season. He averaged 11.3 yards per catch. 

"With those guys ahead of him he's had limited reps the last two years, but he's started a few games and done some good things for us," Whiting said. "He's probably the top guy right now." 

Whiting went on to mention a few other guys in the group that could play a major role this upcoming season. 

"Gavin Eyre is one of the stronger guys on the team right now, so we're excited about him," he said. "And we have two redshirt freshmen, Kelton Bertagnini and Tanner McLachlan, who both worked hard in the weight room this summer and look good. We're excited about those two. And we have a newcomer, Cody Frampton, who's also looking good." 

The Thunderbirds will open their season on August 31 in Las Vegas against the UNLV Rebels.

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Season Tickets and Single Game Tickets are currently available to purchase at the America First Event Center Ticket Office and at www.tbirdtickets.com.