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Tight Ends Preview: Daugstrup, Lang, and Lamirand Compose Strong Core

By Jack O'Rourke '20, 08/19/19, 10:00AM EDT

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Jake Lang and Sam Daugstrup will lead the TEs this season.

Sam Daugstrup’s story is one of a high, a low, and his response to his low. 

Daugstrup, the 6’4 240-pound tight end, was highly touted entering high school and dominated at the freshman and junior varsity levels. Sam’s skill and budding leadership qualities led to his call up to varsity as a sophomore. Daugstrup was used primarily as a blocking tight end, yet turned heads with his ability and quickly drew college interest. Sam began to pile up the collegiate offers. 

Then Daugstrup suffered an ACL tear at a summer camp at Ohio State University in the summer of 2018. 

Since that day, Sam has slowly recovered. This year, he’s primed for a breakout return as a senior. 

“Sam coming back is going to be huge for us this season,” said Wildcat superstar wideout Connor Cmiel. “He will be a big contributor on the offensive side of the ball and he has worked so hard all offseason to get back on the field. He will bring our team some extra juice this season.”

Daugstrup’s return will also signal a new dynamic to the Wildcat offense. Sam is a jack-of-all-trades tight end whose size contributes to his blocking skills, but can also haul in a pass when thrown to. Sam’s catching ability was shown with a diving grab in the Solon scrimmage during a red zone scenario drill. 

With the hype surrounding the return of Sam Daugstrup, people may inadvertently forget about a skilled tight end who will also see a plethora of playing time, Jake Lang. A staple in the Wildcat baseball program who won a state championship, Lang hauled in four passes for 44 receiving yards and made good on two of his receptions for touchdowns. 

“He is a great athlete,” said quarterback Griffin Hanna. “He can play many positions from linebacker to tight end to receiver. He is not the biggest tight end but he makes up for it with his aggressiveness. Jake also has very reliable hands.” 

Lang’s versatility that Hanna mentioned will be a huge factor for the Wildcats because his athleticism and ability will see him doing anything and everything to help his team win. 

The two senior tight ends will be joined by junior tight end Nick Lamirand. Nick, whose father Dean was a major part of some of the first Saint Ignatius football state titles, has size and grit to his personality that will see him succeed at the varsity level. Lamirand is an all around athlete who grew up playing multiple sports, and his natural athleticism will be showcased whenever Lamirand enters the gridiron.