POCATELLO – While Idaho State’s running backs and wide receivers flourished with all-conference stats and highlights last season, the Bengals’ tight ends were lost in the shuffle.

The three tight ends ISU utilized combined to catch 11 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns last season – less than 3 percent of the Bengals’ 4,784 yards that ranked 29th in the 123-team FCS.

The team’s most memorable play involving a tight end came in the season-opener, a 71-yard TD catch-and-run by Austin Campbell. It followed a 3-yard end-zone grab by fellow tight end Jake Johnson – the only two times a Bengals tight end scored all season.

Tight ends coach Aaron Prier expects that to change in 2018.

“In the run, some of our blocks are key blocks. In the pass, some of our routes are key getting the safety out of there,” Prier said after Monday’s practice at Holt Arena. “And we’ll be in a lot of the reads now this season, so we’ll be utilized a lot this season, for sure.”

The group is led by junior Austin Campbell, a 6-foot-4, 22-game veteran who led the unit with eight receptions for 125 yards last season. At 245 pounds, he’s the stockiest of the group and has been utilized as a key blocker on running plays.

Johnson, a redshirt sophomore, is the tallest at 6-foot-6. He’s a towering red-zone target and has been taking second-team reps behind Campbell during fall camp. His opening-week TD last season is his only career catch.

Matching Johnson with 10 appearances is redshirt sophomore Nate Shubert (6-3, 235 pounds). He made two catches for 9 yards last season.

ISU also added freshman Michael Davis to the mix – a 6-foot-4, 220-pound Columbia High graduate who was selected as a first-team all-Southern Idaho Conference player at the flex position last season. Columbia’s MaxPreps page lists Davis with 38 receptions for 453 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Prier said each tight end has his own role and skill set. ISU has showcased some two-tight end sets this fall and figures to utilize different players based on the situation.

“We might have one in for a certain situation, but that doesn’t mean the others can’t do it,” Prier said. “They all kind of have their own thing. … But they all can do each others’ roles at the same time.”

With ISU’s offense built around short, quick passes that move the chains and wear down a defense, the tight ends can be a reliable check-down 3 yards upfield.

During the Kragthorpe Classic spring game in April, ISU’s tight ends accounted for eight of the offenses’ 18 receptions, with Campbell, Shubert and Johnson making at least two catches each. Campbell hauled in the scrimmage’s only touchdown pass – a 15-yarder from Tanner Gueller on a quick turn-and-fire.

Campbell, who has 16 catches for 173 yards and two TDs in his career, said he emphasized improving his route running over the summer. He played second fiddle to Josh Cook as a freshman in 2016, but is taking on a leadership role now as the elder statesman.

“Trying to lead by example and make sure we’re executing and keeping each other competitive,” Campbell said. “And making sure we’re making plays on the field too on Saturdays.”

With important roles in the passing and running games, ISU’s tight ends comprise a valuable, yet mysterious, position group heading into the 2018 season. Their value may not be easily measured by statistics, but the plan is for those to improve.

“I’d say overall as a group, I think we’re doing a great job so far,” Campbell said. “The improvement from last year to this year has been immeasurable.”