For me Walford is head and shoulders the best TE in the class. As a seam threat he has everything: some burst, great hands - highpoints the ball, he ghosts past players with great movement skills, positions his body well in contested situations. To me, he's one of those rare players each season for whom the game is moving more slowly than it is for everyone else. He's a willing blocker, but technically it's all a bit of a mess, as far as I can see. I think his footwork when blocking is lousy, but that's very correctable I guess.
I'm sure there are plenty on here who seem him weekly in person and so might have a different perspective, or who know his character better. But I see a tremendous asset in the pass game and a guy who can be at least very competent in-line.
Clive Walford improves every year. That's what stands out to me. It's so rare for a Canes player within the past decade that I'm not sure I can think of a parallel example.
He not only improves from season to season, but from season finale to the following spring practice, and from spring practice to the start of the following season. Then he steps up his game as the season progresses. Must be a dedicated guy.
His frame was quite odd as a sophomore. I think I commented on it here. It's steadily become more normal for the position.
Walford's strength is the ability to fetch the ball in traffic at high point. He's now very dangerous in that role. Brad Kaaya sensed it and depended on Walford routinely on those plays. I'm not sure if Walford's arms are longer than standard for the position. He certainly makes it appear that way.
He can get downfield although it's more one gear than a burst. I'll be interested to see how he times, particularly coming off a serious leg injury. The 40 number might push Walford lower than warranted.
There have been some fumble issues. He makes the grab and scans downfield, believing he's more of a juke threat than actual. Walford loses sense of defenders alongside or tracking from behind. They poke or pry it away.
Canes tight ends have been so effective in the league I have to allow benefit of a doubt. Even guys who barely saw the field like Richard Gordon and Chase Ford have made rosters and contributed recently.
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Regarding O'Leary, this goes way back but he reminds me of Todd Christensen.
Christensen was a very prominent fullback at BYU. He terrorized defenses because the college game wasn't accustomed to fullbacks who were used primarily as receiver. It didn't seem strange at all when the Raiders shifted Christensen to tight end.
O'Leary is more of a pinball than Christensen, who generally played high. O'Leary often appears considerably shorter than his listed height. Otherwise I detect quite a few similarities, including feisty playing style and niftiness in traffic. Both of them could disappear for long stretches and then make decisive plays when needed most, and in bunches.
O'Leary has had some minor off field issues. On the field he's versatile, smart and reliable, the type of guy who is perfect for the spotlight position in fielding an opponent's onside kick, for example.
