Alge Crumpler is one of the best tight ends in college football, but if you're like the rest of America, you probably have never heard of him.
During the preseason, many experts projected that the North Carolina senior would be the first tight end taken in the 2001 NFL Draft. However, playing in a traditionally conservative ACC offense - and in his third offensive scheme in the last four years - Crumpler has not been able to demonstrate all of his skills to professional scouts.
At the end of his junior year in 1999, Crumpler was named first team All-ACC after catching 20 passes for 191 yards. In his sophomore year, 1997, he had 24 receptions for 278 yards and four touchdowns.
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A serious knee injury kept the Greenville, N.C., native out for the entire 1998 season, making his successful return last season even more impressive.
This season has provided a new challenge for Crumpler. New offensive coordinator Mike O'Cain brought in Carolina's third offensive system in five years. The new offense is averaging 380.1 yards per game through seven games, its highest mark since 1995 and up from 276.6 last season. Yet Crumpler's offensive role has been reduced in the new plan. So far he has just 10 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown.
"Obviously I'd like to get a lot more balls in our offense, but our coaches don't think that's the way to go right now," Crumpler said. "I'm a great pass catcher - I'm just not involved in this offense. It's not an offense a tight end can flourish in."
Crumpler has contributed in other ways this season, especially in opening holes for the running attack with his 6-foot-3, 260-pound frame and superior blocking ability. Twice this season he has earned the Carolina coaches' offensive lineman of the week awards for his play against Marshall and N.C. State. And remember, he's a tight end.
"I just do what they ask me to do in this offense and take it play by play," Crumpler said. "From what I'm told here, [to make the NFL] you just have to be a great blocker and catch the ball when it's thrown to you."
His teammates certainly notice his efforts on and off the field. They named Crumpler as one of the captains of the team.
"He's a big target and he blocks well," quarterback Ronald Curry said. "He's a great leader on the field and does what the coaches want."
After being rated the No. 1 tight end in the nation by National Football Scouting, Inc., and being named the second team All-American tight end in the preseason, Crumpler has received relatively little press this season. Yet he played down the lack of attention and is confident that his chances of playing on Sundays next year are "pretty high."
"I'm not worried about the media," Crumpler said. "I know that my future will be fine. It's been a lifelong dream of mine to make it to the NFL. I'll be so excited when my opportunity gets here to move on past my college career and showcase what I can do"
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