H-backs add versatility to Pitt's spread offense
-
Hubie Graham, a converted tight end who transferred to Pitt from Illinois, is the Panthers starter at the H-back position.
Share with others:
The history of the H-back position has its roots in pro football. Former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is credited with creating a hybrid tight end/fullback position because he wanted to find a way to contain New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who had made a habit of wreaking havoc against the Redskins in the 1980s.
H-backs continue to be used in the NFL today. Chris Cooley of the Redskins probably is the best known H-back in the league, and the Steelers use tight end Heath Miller as an H-back in many of their offensive sets.
H-backs have become more popular in the college game, and Pitt coach Todd Graham uses them in his spread offense.
Graham calls them "threebacks," and they are some of the most versatile players on the team.
"It's kind of a hybrid guy who possesses some tight-end skills as far as blocking goes, but it's also a guy who possesses receiver skills who can stretch the defense vertically, take advantage of some matchups maybe with linebackers and safeties," said assistant coach Tony Dews, who coaches the position for Panthers.
Former coach Dave Wannstedt did not use an H-back in his offense, so Graham has converted two tight ends, a receiver and a reserve quarterback to play the position this fall.
Hubie Graham, a converted tight end who played two seasons at Illinois before transferring to Pitt, is the starter. He is a former SuperPrep All-American from West Scranton High School and was one of the top tight-end recruits in 2008.
The reserves are Drew Carswell, a converted receiver from Sto-Rox; Anthony Gonzalez, a converted quarterback; and Brendan Carozzoni, a converted tight end.
"It was relatively new to all of us," Hubie Graham said. "But, after camp, we all feel confident with what we're doing. We have to do a little bit of everything. Most importantly, we have to be able to block. We're still utilized as true tight ends in some sets, and some sets we'll be in the backfield blocking as a fullback. We can stretch the field vertically.
"We're asked to do a lot of different things. We have to be versatile."
First Published August 26, 2011 12:00 am
