ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — There might not be a better melting pot of experience on the offensive side of the ball than the tight end room at Missouri Western State University.
Coach
Moses Harper describes his tight end room — otherwise known within the team as the "Juice Squad" -— as experienced. He also has some very talented true freshman on the roster. The age difference hasn't seemed to matter, according to Harper.
"The best thing about my room is guy are happy to play with each other."
Harper also highlights the fact that he brings back his starting tight end from last year in
Tycen Gray, along with
Cam Grandy, the starting tight end in 2019. He's combined that experience with two transfers,
Will Schwartz and
Ty Harvey, to create a wealth of knowledge and football understanding. Harper says the younger members of the roster have really learned a lot from the older group.
#87 - SOPHOMORE - TYCEN GRAY
2021 Stats (team rank)
Games/Starts: 11/10
Receptions: 20 (3rd)
Yards: 237 (3rd)
Touchdowns: 1 (T-3rd)
Hometown/High School: Farmington High School/Farmington Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-4, 245
Harper Word Association: Mr. Know It All
Gray stepped into the shoes of injured teammate
Cam Grandy last season, and the Griffon offense saw virtually no drop off. The sophomore from Farmington, Missouri, was able to jump in and not miss a beat, putting up nearly identical stats to Grandy's 2019 campaign. Harper loves the way Gray works.
"He's not a guy who complains," Harper said. "Not a guy who will say 'Coach why?' He just says alright, that's what we're doing. Let's do it. You love to have guys like that in your room."
Gray operates well in the complex system the Griffon offense runs. Harper said tight ends are extremely important in the Griffons' offense, and having the knowledge to operate well in that system is critical. Harper says that's not a problem for Gray.
"You can throw anything at
Tycen Gray and he will pick it up."
#89 - JUNIOR - CAM GRANDY
2019 Stats (team rank)
Games: 12
Receptions: 20 (3rd)
Yards: 261 (3rd)
Touchdowns: (1st)
Hometown/High School: Fieldcrest High School/Benson, Il.
Height and Weight: 6-5, 245
MWSU Career Stats
Games: 20
Receptions: 26
Yards: 326
Touchdowns: 6
Harper Word Association: Leader
Hudl
After a year on the sideline due to injury, the 2019 MIAA honorable mention makes his return to the field this year. The junior from Benson, Illinois, put up impressive numbers his sophomore seasons, the last he was able to play for the Griffons. Grandy had 20 receptions for 261 yards while leading the team with five touchdowns. He played in all 12 games in 2019 with four starts and played in eight games as a true freshman in 2018.
According to Harper, the most important thing Grandy brings to the team is his leadership.
"He does a great job of being a leader in the room. He does a great job communicating and making sure everybody gets along in the room."
#10 - JUNIOR - TY HARVEY
2021 Stats (Missouri Southern)
Games: 11
Receptions: 7
Yards: 97
High school/Previous School/Hometown: Howe High School/Missouri Southern/Howe Tx.
Height and Weight: 6-6, 233
Harper Word Association: The Vet
Harvey comes to Missouri Western from Missouri Southern. He's earned the nickname, "The Vet," because even though he is a junior in eligibility, Harvey has already graduated and been around the MIAA for four years.
"Adding his savviness to the room definitely helps the confidence of the younger guys," Harper said. "He helps push these guys to the expectations that we set in the room."
#88 - JUNIOR - WILL SCHWARTZ
2021 Stats (San Jose City Community College)
Games: 10
Receptions: 50
Yards: 725
Touchdowns: 5
Hometown/Previous School/High School: Scotts Valley High School/San Jose City College/Scotts Valley, Ca.
Height and Weight: 6-3, 245
Harper Word Association: Utility
Will Schwartz comes to MWSU by way of San Jose City College. Harper singled him out as being very impressive in summer and fall camp. Schwartz decided to come to MWSU this summer to get extra reps in, and that commitment has not gone under the radar.
"Him putting in the work this summer has definitely showed this fall camp He wants to help his team and he's committed to being aggressive and buying into what we're doing," Harper said. "He's put himself in a position to where he can help us going into this fall."
#81 - REDSHIRT FRESHMAN - ANTHONY CIRRINCIONE
High school/Hometown: South Elgin High School/South Elgin, Il.
Height and Weight: 6-5, 220
Harper Word Association: Maturing
Anthony Cirrincione bridges a gap in the tight end room between the upper classmen and the true freshman. He's put on weight over the last five years to prepare to help the Griffon offense. Harper is pleased with Cirrincione's development over the last year.
" He understands the room, and he understands what his role is in a room. He's just continuing to grow."
#85 - FRESHMAN - CAM WHITT
High school/Hometown: St. Dominic High School/St. Charles, Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-4, 220
Harper Word Association: Opportunity for growth
Freshman
Cam Whitt comes from just outside of St. Louis, Missouri The St. Charles native fits the mold of the typical Griffon tight end, and according to Harper, he's taking every chance to learn from some very talented players in the room around him.
"Now he can hear stories on how it is other places. Now you can ask what does it mean to be a true Griff?"
#86 - FRESHMAN - MICHAEL HAGGERTY
High school/Hometown: St. Michaels High School/Lee's Summit, Ks.
Height and Weight: 6-4, 220
Harper Word Association: Learning
Michael Haggerty comes from Lee's Summit, Kansas. He put up good numbers in high school, eclipsing 600 yards his senior year and scoring five touchdowns. Harper says that Haggerty is in a great place for a freshman.
"They're very lucky to be in that room with the makeup of the room, with the experience of guys in that room."
Harper is excited to see his true freshman grow from the experiences of their teammates.
The tight ends play a critical role in the offense the Griffons run, and Harper his group love being the best of both worlds.
"We get to do the best of both," Harper said. "We get to get in the box and do the dirty work. We also get to have fun and run routes catch ball score touchdowns, but these guys believe that they are the best of both worlds. You can put them on the ball; off the ball; you can flex them out and you motion them, you can put them in the backfield. This position is very unique within the system."
Harper has high expectations for his tight ends this year. He believes they can produce big numbers and be a big part of a very successful Griffon team. He also believes this group can go as far as they want.
"There's always a ceiling, but you always try to walk outside so you can see the sky."
