Aug. 27, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Mike Gesicki knows that he just grazed the surface of his potential during his true freshman season in the Blue and White.
Sure, he caught 11 passes for 114 yards, had at least one reception in nine games and showed flashes of big things to come. But 2014 was a year of learning.
Now, the 6-foot-6 tight end from New Jersey is a different man heading into 2015.
With a year of game experience and an offseason of conditioning under his belt, Gesicki is primed to be a significant contributor for the Nittany Lions this fall.
"I just feel so much more prepared to contribute," said Gesicki. "Last year heading into the season, my head was spinning because everything was so new. Now, I understand the system. I understand my job. And I know what I have to do."
Described by Director of Performance Enhancement as a "freak" athlete in the weight room, Gesicki added 20 pounds since last season and is playing with more speed and quickness than he did a year ago.
"He is extremely athletic. He runs really well. He's got tremendous ball skills," said head coach James Franklin. "He's not put himself in the position physically to change his body. He's 255 pounds now. Last year, he was 235. So blocking, he's able to fill a bigger role with that part of the game."
The added size aids in the area Gesicki worked on most during the offseason. Prior to suiting up for the Nittany Lions, the true sophomore had little, if any, experience putting his hand in the ground and blocking from the tight end position. Being a good in-line blocker is essential to being a productive player at the tight end position for the Lions.
"One thing I most certainly had to work on was my blocking ability," Gesicki said. "Last year, I was not a good blocker. I didn't get the job done. I had to put a chip on my shoulder going into the offseason to try and get bigger, stronger and faster to help build that negative into one of my strengths."
The early results have been positive, as Gesicki is among a host of players who have played very well during pre-season practice. The sure-handed tight end is a matchup nightmare for an opposing defense. With a 6-foot-6 frame to go along with long arms, strong hands and quick feet, Gesicki is an appealing target in the passing game.
The measurables speak for themselves, but what is separating Gesicki's production now from where it was a year ago is confidence.
"That's the big thing. When you play with confidence, you believe in yourself and what you can do. And that's when you start seeing results," Gesicki said.
Gesicki's diverse background in a wide range of sports has helped mold him into the athlete he is today. He was Southern Regional's (New Jersey) all-time scoring leader in basketball, named Boy's Volleyball Player of the Year (2014) and on a state champion volleyball squad. He also ran track growing up.
"It helped development in hand-eye coordination, speed, jumping ability, and overall, it teaches you discipline," said Gesicki. "Playing all of those sports growing up, it was definitely a positive in terms of how it has helped me grow as a football player."
Led by senior Kyle Carter and junior Brent Wilkerson, Gesicki and the tight ends have high expectations for what the unit can bring to the offense in 2015.
"We have some good depth with the group and that adds to good competition," said offensive coordinator and tight ends coach John Donovan.
The season opener can't come soon enough for Gesicki. He's ready to carry the progress he's made during the offseason onto the game field in 2015.