COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: Day 45

Oct 11, 2014; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones tight end E.J. Bibbs (11) avoids the tackle of Toledo Rockets safety Chaz Whittaker (8) to score at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State defeated Toledo 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

No position group within Iowa State’s football program has been used less during the past few seasons than tight end. Players at the position have combined to catch only nine passes during the two seasons since E.J. Bibbs put together one of the best campaigns, and careers, by a tight end in school history.

The former first-team All-Big 12 selection caught 45 passes for 382 yards and eight touchdowns during his senior season in 2014. He was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award, which is given to the nation’s best tight end, despite missing two games due to injury.

Bibbs’ 45 catches is the second-best output by a tight end in Iowa State history behind Collin Franklin‘s 2010 season when he caught 54 passes. Bibbs also has the third-best number on the list as he made 39 receptions as a junior in 2013.

His eight touchdown catches in 2014 are the second most by an Iowa State player in school history. He ranks third all-time in catches by a tight end with 84 despite only playing two seasons in Ames and his 844 career yards is the fourth most all-time in program history by a tight end.

The tight ends are expected to be busier in 2017 with the emergence of redshirt freshman Chase Allen, but there is still a lot of work to be done before the group can match the productivity of E.J. Bibbs.