ORONO — Jeremy Salmon returned to the practice field for the University Maine football team this week, but the junior tight end had a red mesh cover over his blue jersey, the signal to the defense to keep their hands off.

Salmon is recovering from shoulder surgery, although there is hope that he’ll be cleared for contact drills next week and be able to play in the season opener Sept. 5 at Boston College. His backup, Max Andrews, is at least two weeks behind him in rehabilitating from his own shoulder surgery.

That means, for now, the Black Bears are looking at Jason Simonovich as the starting tight end, with Sean Reuss at the fullback spot. Behind them are freshmen Julian Dunn and Mason Phoenix.

Cause for some sleepless nights?

“I don’t have a ton of concern right now as long as everyone’s healthy,” said Shawn Demaray, who coaches what Maine calls its “big skill” players, which includes tight ends, fullbacks and H-backs. “We have two guys that have been in the program, so we have some depth.”

Depth without significant playing time. Simonovich sat last year after redshirting as a freshman, saying he wasn’t yet mature enough for the college game. Reuss battled injuries most of his sophomore season.

But both had strong springs, culminating with a touchdown reception apiece in the final scrimmage of April. And both players said this week that they’re ready to contribute when called on this year after Salmon’s 13 catches were the sum total for all Maine tight ends a year ago.

“It gave me confidence to know that I can play at this level,” said Simonovich, who was an oversized wide receiver at Dallas High School in Pennsylvania.

He came to Maine at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds and was immediately moved to tight end. The transition, especially becoming adept at blocking big defenders, took him two years.

Now a leaner but stronger 240 pounds, Simonovich said he actually prefers blocking.

“Your technique, when it all comes together, you’re moving people around. It feels good,” he said.

Reuss, the oldest of the tight end group as a fourth-year junior, is wearing a new number this summer. Carlton Charles, a fullback who was the Black Bears’ special teams player of the year last season, bequeathed his No. 12 to Reuss.

“I’m very proud to be wearing 12. I’m going to try to honor Carlton and do the best I can,” Reuss said.

Reuss figures to have an easier time hanging on to his starting spot. Maine uses a traditional tight end, designated as the “Y” position, and an “H” who is a hybrid player who typically lined up in the backfield or goes in motion behind the line. Simonovich and Reuss, both at 240 pounds, are more suited to the latter. Salmon and Andrews, each at 265, are at home on the line of scrimmage, directly across from the big defensive linemen.

Reuss said he’s not approaching practices any differently this year, even knowing that more playing time is available.

“I always approach it to go 100 percent, do everything I can to help,” he said. “I’m looking for that starting spot. I’m going to keep working and see how it goes.”

Reuss and Simonovich also factor into Maine’s special-teams plan, with Reuss even serving as a backup long snapper, so regardless, they figure to make an impact this year. Will they start in Week 1?

Demaray praised Simonovich’s much-improved blocking skills, and noted that Reuss, with his experience, will carry high expectations.

“They both had great springs and continued that into the summer,” Demaray said. “There’s no reason this can’t be a position of strength for us, especially when Jeremy and Max come back.”

 

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