Fleming in 'tight' spot

[PonyPride]

Junior Patrick Fleming is, if nothing else, versatile. When he was recruited out of Cypress Creek High School in Houston, he was brought in as a wide receiver before moving to tight end. Then, last year, he was moved to defensive end as the Ponies switched to a 3-4 defense. This spring, to take advantage of his size (6-4, 236), running ability and hands, he was moved to linebacker, and quickly began working with the first-team defense.

About a week into preseason workouts, Fleming's versatility is being tested again, as he has begun working with the offense again ... as a tight end.

He has not ditched his linebacker spot; when Fleming has worked with the offense Friday and Saturday, redshirt freshman Cameron Rogers has taken the fourth first-team linebacker position, but Fleming continues to get a lot of reps with the top linebacker unit. But he said he likes the chance to get back on offense, too.

"I do," he said. "Remember, I was recruited as a receiver/tight end. I like getting the chance to get the ball, and I never want to come off the field, anyway."

Fleming said it isn't yet clear how he will be used, other than that his role will include both blocking and receiving. But he said he will move around to multiple spots on the field, including lining up wide and in a traditional tight end formation, next to the tackle, and perhaps going in motion or even lining up in the backfield.

"I don't know, really," he said. "Last year we just went 'red' — with four wide receivers — and this year, we'll do some blue, with three wides and a tight end. But (the coaches) haven't said how often we'll do that, or when."

Fleming acknowledged that the multiple position moves have been trying, but said his focus remains on his primary position.

"I guess I feel like a linebacker first," he said. "That's where I played in the spring, and that's what I think I'm going to do most this year. But if they want me to play tight end, I'm ready for that, too."

[kull]

[indianmustang]

nice read

[SMUFan]

I'm liking Fleming more and more. He's big, strong, fast and seems willing to do whatever the coaches ask of him, and work hard at it. I bet he's pretty solid on both sides of the ball.

[kull]

if the offense gels, it'll be fun to see them bring out the H-Back. If not, dont expect to see Fleming there much.

Mauia, albeit much larger excelled in that role when needed for utility or as an extra blocker. I remember him shutting down that Purdue DE in 2006

[MustangLaxer]

great attitude..."i never want to come off the field anyway."

JJ won't be taking his scholarship away

[mrydel]

I guess this means we will start recruiting more than one quarterback a year now.

[that's great raplh]

[JackSon 3]

I thought he looked pretty good there this morning. Big target for sure.

[Roach]

I don't know what kind of routes he runs, but he seems to have good hands, and he's got decent speed and nice size.

To play TE, do they ask him to bulk up? If so, does that take away from his speed and flexibility needed to play LB?

[Junior]

Great attitude.