Panthers bolstered by transfer tight ends

MIAMI — Pharoah McKever, one of the most imposing football players on Florida International University’s roster at 6 feet 6 inches tall and 260 pounds, has been dominant in his own way this preseason and is chasing the starting job at tight end.

“He’s a beast,” said A.J. Sattinger, a 6-2, 225 FIU tight end who — like McKever — is a graduate transfer working on a master’s degree. “He’s a good blocker, a good route-runner. I think the cat can dunk without jumping. Hopefully, he’ll play tight end, and I’ll play H-back. We can use some two tight-end stuff. It would be fun.”

Coach Butch Davis, in his first year at FIU, seems to have done an outstanding job of replacing tight end Jonnu Smith, who was drafted in the third round by the Tennessee Titans this past April.

Smith, at 6-3 and 250, caught 42 passes and scored four touchdowns last year.

McKever, who’s in just his third season as a tight end, has the potential to be just as good.

Raised in Tabor City, N.C., McKever was 6-6 and 210 in high school, playing quarterback and safety.

He signed with NC State as a wide receiver but never played that position there. He redshirted his first year, switched to defensive end and was finally moved to tight end, playing mostly as a backup.

Among his big plays at NC State were a blocked punt and two 82-yard touchdowns, one on an interception and one on a reception.

McKever graduated from NC State with a degree in social work and transferred to FIU, in part because of Davis’ reputation for developing tight ends such as Jeremy Shockey and Bubba Franks with the Miami Hurricanes and Eric Ebron at North Carolina.

Since arriving at FIU in June, McKever has made an impression as perhaps the most-dynamic talent on the roster.

“He’s a great target,” FIU quarterback Alex McGough said. “I wouldn’t say a dropoff [from Smith] but a change. [Smith] is quicker, faster. Pharoah is bigger — a box-out type of receiver.”