Not just a promise

• By GEORGE MORRIS
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Oct 9, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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When LSU was recruiting tight end Richard Dickson, then-offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher promised he’d get plenty balls thrown his way. That’s likely what every recruiter tells every high school tight end.

After one season, Fisher left, but his replacement, Gary Crowton, kept the promise — and then some.

Dickson’s 32 catches in 2007 were the third-most in a season for a tight end in school history. They included five touchdowns, two coming in the BCS Championship Game victory over Ohio State.

“When coach Crowton came in, he had a bunch of plays for the tight end, and I got the opportunity to get the ball a bunch last year,” said Dickson, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior from Ocean Springs, Miss. “I was thinking in the 20s would be great. I never thought I’d be third-highest receiver, though.”

Most tight ends aren’t unless they’re tweeners — too big to play wideout, too small to handle much blocking duties. Dickson does both. Deceptive speed helps get him open, and good hands make him a reliable target, but he also is effective when LSU is running the ball.

“He’s an unbelievable blocker,” LSU offensive tackle Ciron Black said. “You really wouldn’t think that because of his size. He’s so athletic. He’s more of a receiver-type tight end, but he’s unbelievable on the edges. All the options, all of that stuff you see, that’s usually from his blocking on the edge. We have to get the edge in order to run that option, and he does a great job of doing it.”

LSU tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Josh Henson said he isn’t surprised.

“I kind of pictured him being the way he turned out,” Henson said. “When he was in high school, he played a lot of defensive end. He had a great highlight film. He had about 15 catches and made great plays with the ball in his hands, but he was a very physical defensive end, too.”

Although that description doesn’t fit him in college, Dickson worked hard in the offseason to prepare for the grind of effectively blocking defensive ends and linebackers. He added 10 pounds to his frame and 50 pounds to the amount he can now lift (550) in the squat.

The work between the ears continues, too.

“I know where to go, and my technique is not that bad,” Dickson said. “There are a lot of things I can work on, but at my size I feel like I’m getting as much blocking done as I can. I’m happy with how I’m blocking this year.”

Dickson has an odd jersey number for a tight end (18), wherein lies a tale. That number belonged to running back Jacob Hester, and previously to quarterback Matt Mauck. The two backs decided to start a tradition of passing their number to a teammate after the 2003 season, and with head coach Les Miles’ approval, Hester gave it to Dickson after last season. Dickson previously wore No. 82.

His statistical numbers are only a little behind last season. With eight catches for 94 yards, Dickson remains LSU quarterbacks’ third-favorite target. He has no touchdown catches, but recovered a fumble by Brandon LaFell in the end zone for a score in the 34-24 victory over Mississippi State on Sept. 27.