Versatility key for Curlee’s tight ends and fullbacks

ACU football’s overtime victory at 15th-ranked Nicholls was its most memorable of 2019 even for a couple first-year Wildcats who combined for only 14 yards in the 37-31 triumph.

Branden Hohenstein and Tavian ‘T.J.’ Tumbleson may not have made a splash on the stats page but all day they opened holes for the run game, which finished with 282 net yards.

On the final play they cleared a path for Tracy James’ game-winning touchdown. Nebraska transfer Hohenstein ran in from the outside to double team FCS All-America linebacker Sully Laich with offensive lineman Cody Anthony, while Tumbleson - a transfer from Iowa College - held off All-Southland defensive back Khristian Mims.

"Our position group had an amazing game,” said Tumbleson, who has shed close to 25 pounds this offseason to improve his mobility and change of direction. “Everyone worked so well together. We were getting our reads right, communicating, and making the blocks that got Tracy in the endzone right before halftime and again in overtime.”

“That was a fun game, easily my favorite of the year,” added Hohenstein. “As a team, as an offense, as a unit we were playing well all game. There were lots of emotions with them being ranked and playing at home. Maybe they thought they were going to stomp us but we got the upset.”

Curlee coaches his fullbacks and tight ends to succeed in many different areas, some more glamorous than others.

Run-game drills lead off practice with an emphasis on proper blocking techniques.

“If there’s no block, then there’s no rock,” said Curlee.

His unit moves onto the perimeter running game, perfecting angles, and then gets into the passing game to develop precise routes and reliable hands.

The tight ends recruited by Curlee are placed all over the field: split out, wing, backfield or lined up with their hand in the dirt.

Hohenstein is the No. 2 returning receiver on the roster behind wide receiver Kobe Clark (87 receptions for 777 yards). The 6-foot-5 Jackson, Neb., native caught 27 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns in his debut season for the Wildcats with 115 of those yards coming at Mississippi State.

Hohenstein caught a 52-yard pass in quadruple coverage vs. the Bulldogs in ACU’s season finale and maybe would have gone the distance if not for an injury. It’s likely this outing in Starkville combined with his ability to block caught the attention of the league coaches and noted football publication Phil Steele. Both groups tabbed him First Team Preseason All-Southland Conference.

But where Hohenstein says Curlee has helped him the most is in the blocking game.

"Before I got here my blocking wasn’t as good as it is now. He's really sharpened my skills, and I'm a way better run blocker because of him and the steps I’m taking. His football knowledge also has made it easier for me to read defenses and coverages.”

Curlee views Hohenstein’s preseason honor as two-fold. Firstly, it’s a congratulations for last year’s body of work, but it’s also a sign to do better in 2020.

“I called to offer congratulations and reminded him it won’t mean a thing if we don’t put in the work,” said Curlee. “He’s played through pain, set a high standard for being physically and mentally tough, and throughout last season we noticed a lot of growth in him. His run-blocking pushed us downfield vs. Nicholls, and later he had that phenomenal receiving game vs. Mississippi State.”

"He's a baller,” said Tumbleson of Hohenstein. “He’s gritty, he's tough, and he plays his role better than so many people. On the field he enjoys blocking with the best of them and getting in your face. Then he'll go out and drop 100 yards against Mississippi State in the pass game. He's just a beast.”

Curlee’s group is 10 strong heading into camp with Rece Stafford switching from linebacker to fullback and junior Remington Lutz converting from wide receiver to tight end. New tight ends include Electra High School graduate Noah Caldwell and Arizona State transfer Grant Miles. Sophomore Chester Sims also will be utilized in the backfield and on special teams.

Curlee said he’s trying to make the fullback position, ‘great again.’

“I make these guys understand that they have to be willing to do things they’re not always asked to do … some unfun things,” he said, “but they’ve bought into the position and have done a great job with it.”

“We’ll have a rotation of fullbacks and tight ends. That’ll keep guys fresh, and we’ll feel good about who’s coming in.”

Tumbleson is a leader within his position group, and his strong grasp of the offense will allow him to see additional snaps.

“He’s had a great body of work in the blocking game,” said Curlee. “Go back and look at Nicholls. He was involved in lots of big plays with arc blocks on the flat-area defenders. And against HBU in the second half, his block sprung (quarterback) Sema’J (Davis) for a 70-yard run. This position is very specific to his skill set and he’ll continue to do great things.”

"He's my bro,” said Hohenstein, who transferred in at the same time as Tumbleson. “I like the way he plays with a chip on his shoulder and he’ll go out there and knock someone right on their tail. He's taking nothing from no one.There's not very many fullbacks like him left and he's darn good at it. I'm just glad he's my teammate and friend."

Tumbleson most enjoys the blocking aspect of his position because it allows him to see an immediate result.

“If you do your job right, the play works,” he said, adding praise for Curlee’s coaching style.

“He’s very passionate about what he does. He cares about his players and doesn’t yell as much as others. He let’s us mess up but then he coaches, we learn and don’t make that same mistake again. You don’t have to be worried around him. If you do something wrong, he’ll let you know, but in a respectful way that fits all of us.”