Zack ready to attack: TE aims for breakout season
During a video conference call with media Wednesday, Penn State tight end Zack Kuntz made a grandiose statement about his teammates at his position.
“I think we’re the most talented tight end room in the country,” the redshirt sophomore said. “And there’s no doubt in my mind about that.”
There is little doubt the player atop the Nittany Lions’ tight end depth chart is one of the best in the country. But there is precious little with regard to experience on the roster after all-Big Ten honoree Pat Freiermuth. So for Kuntz’s declaration to carry any legitimacy, he will have to have a breakout 2020 season.
The native of the Harrisburg area is prepping himself for just that.
“I think Pat has shown what he can do, and he can do even more,” Kuntz said. “And I think it’s my time to kind of show what I am made of and what I’m capable of doing.”
One of four four-star incoming recruits for Penn State at tight end since 2018, Kuntz has added more than 30 pounds of muscle since joining the program. And after the graduation of Nick Bowers, the Nittany Lions have a need for a No. 2 tight end to complement Freiermuth, who in only two seasons has tied the school record for touchdown catches by a tight end (15).
By way of seniority, Kuntz has the edge for the role over redshirt freshman Brenton Strange and true freshman Theo Johnson. It is Kuntz’s third season on campus since he and Freiermuth arrived, each as a top-10 high school tight end in the country according to 247 Sports’ composite ratings.
“Especially when we were coming out of high school, we did talk about being that dynamic duo,” Kuntz said. “And I think now’s a perfect opportunity to display that.”
Freiermuth had 40-pound head start on Kuntz, one reason why their careers have been so disparate. Kuntz has only three career catches in 14 games, and his play mostly has been limited to special teams. After 27 touchdowns and more than 2,5000 receiving yards over his three best high school seasons, more was expected.
And that doesn’t even take into account blocking duties, something a Robin to Freiermuth’s Batman in 2020 will be asked to do plenty.
“It was very different for me coming out of high school because I basically was a glorified wide receiver (in high school)” Kuntz said. “(Tight ends coach Tyler) Bowen has worked a ton with me on blocking. (Coach James Franklin) has been working with me as well. My freshman year when I first got here, working on the (scout team), it helped me humble myself. I learned a lot, and I think a redshirt year was great for me.”
Kuntz insisted his added bulk has not hindered but rather added to his speed, quickness and agility.
If all goes as planned, Kuntz’s third season at Penn State at last will be the one in which he and Freiermuth form that “dynamic duo” they originally intended. He sounds content that his time will come.
“I wish I could have played a little bit more (the past two years), but other players in my room have shown that they have the ability to perform and do that on a consistent basis,” Kuntz said.