Do Everything: A Story on Princeton's Tight Ends

Inline tight end.

Split out wide.

Slot Receiver.

Backfield.

You're expected to do a lot of things and be in different places on the field as a tight end in the Princeton offense.

"The best part of being a tight end in this offense is other than throwing or carrying the ball, they're asked to do, encouraged to do and coached to do every job on the field," said Princeton Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Mike Willis.

"It's a lot of learning as freshman and sophomore because you have to learn all the things that a lineman and wide receiver need to know," said Carson Bobo. "It's really cool that you get to learn all these things and it's rewarding that you get to do it on the field."

That ability to do everything has really helped alumni at the next level. Recent alums Graham Adomitis, John Lovett, Stephen Carlson and Jesper Horsted have played in the NFL at tight end.

"I think the philosophy of letting them do everything you have the aptitude to do applies to every position in the offense," said Willis. "You look at a guy like Lovett, who won Ivy Player of the Year as our H-Back and goal line quarterback and then as our full-time quarterback, he did a lot of things that have showed up in the NFL. Stephen, during his senior year, did a lot of tight end specific things like playing in a three-point stance, playing on the wing and at the goal line that really accelerated his development. Even Jesper and Seth, who spent a lot of time outside, moved closer to the line of scrimmage. Graham also did a great job for us in the blocking and passing game."

It's a veteran group of tight ends in Bobo, Caden Dumas and Harrison Caponiti that leads the way in playing time. Those three share a unique bond of coming to Princeton in the same class.

"With three seniors in the group, it's good having a lot of leadership and since we're great friends off the field, it really helps our chemistry," said Bobo.

"I love working with this group every day," said Willis. "This is as dedicated and conscientious group that I've been around. Their love of football, their willingness to buy into their role and as [Princeton inside linebackers coach] Mike Weick would say their desire to be the MVP of their role has been inspiring to me throughout the season and even in the Covid-19 pandemic when they were away. The level of accountability that they showed each other and to the program is something I think about every day."

Now that Bobo is a senior, he's been reflective on how influential upperclassmen were to him and how he can give back to the younger players on the team.

"When I was a freshman, the guy I looked up to was Graham, who was a great leader and role model," said Bobo. "He really helped me develop into who I am today. The thing that is so rewarding is that all these freshmen don't realize it, but everyone who is a senior has gone through what they're experiencing now. The process to really help them is so rewarding. As a senior, I can impact these freshmen who are away from home for the first time and have a lot of things going on."

Seeing everyone back together as summer camp started before this season was exciting for Bobo after spending the previous school year away from campus. "It's so inspirational what the fifth-year seniors did especially for the younger guys," said Bobo. "It shows them what the standard is here at Princeton and that we come here for Ivy championships."

For Bobo, the standard for him was instilled from the 2018 team. "We realized that's how we're going to do things around here. With every meeting, every obligation for football, sleep, nutrition, you must go through it with a 10-0 attitude," said Bobo.

"The standard is doing exactly what is asked of you and is required from the coaches and the player-driven leadership every day for the entire year to get to the moments that you want to get too," said Willis.

The next moment for Princeton is at Dartmouth on Friday.

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Carson Bobo

Harrison Caponiti

Caden Dumas

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