DENVER — Another week, another standout performance for Trey McBride. The veteran tight end finished Saturday’s upset over Toledo with nine receptions for 109 yards. Meanwhile, without Dante Wright on the field, the rest of Colorado State’s roster combined for one receiving yard in the win. As a result of his stellar showing, McBride was named the Offensive Player of the Week by the Senior Bowl.
The Senior Bowl selects @mcbtrey as our Offensive Player of the Week for the @CSU_FB 22-6 win over Toledo. With 9 catches for 109 yds he accounted for most of their receiving yards. Keep feeding Trey McBride!!! #RamClash 🤜🤛 | #CSURams #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/RXxrmqawKU
— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) September 20, 2021
If you’ve even followed the Rams a little bit over the last couple of years, No. 85 is likely the player that you’re most familiar with. He broke out as a sophomore during the 2019 season with 45 receptions, 560 yards and four touchdown catches. His 69-yard touchdown at Fresno State remains one of the more athletic plays I’ve ever seen from a tight end. McBride continued to show out in 2020 as well, as he led the Rams in receptions (22), receiving yardage (330) and scoring (4 touchdowns). Although it was only four games, McBride was the first tight end to lead the Green & Gold in receiving yards since Keli McGregor back in 1984.
While expectations for the Fort Morgan product were high entering the season — Todd McShay of ESPN tabbed him the 27th ranked draft prospect overall and number one tight end on his big board — what’s absurd is that McBride isn’t just matching his pace from 2020, he’s obliterating it.
In three games McBride has hauled in 30 catches for 339 yards, which ranks first and 12th in the FBS, respectively. His catch total is nearly double that of any other tight end in the country — a pair currently have 17 — and his yardage tops No. 2 Michael Mayer (Notre Dame) by 133.
Simply put, there isn’t another tight end in the country that’s even remotely on McBride’s level right now. And by the time he’s done, his name is going to be in the conversation for one of the greatest CSU football players of all-time.
McBride already became the first tight end in program history to record 100 or more receiving yards in three consecutive games this past weekend. He’s well on his way to becoming the first Rams tight end to record a 1,000 yard season as well. Considering his production and what he’s meant to the community, there really is a strong argument that McBride is the greatest tight end to ever suit up for the Rams. And that’s saying something considering the proud history CSU has at the position.
“I told Trey when I came in, I said bro you can compete anywhere,” David Bailey said of McBride. “The SEC, the ACC, it doesn’t matter. NFL scouts are going to find ballers all around the country. I told Trey that he has some of the best hands I’ve ever seen. He’s just a great overall tight end. If he wanted to play at Alabama, he could do it right now.”
It’s probably unfair to expect McBride to continue to produce at such an absurd rate for the entire season. If CSU cannot find more reliable receiving options outside of him and Wright, defenses are going to start finding ways to spotlight and take away No. 85. As talented as he is, McBride cannot beat teams by himself.
“Ultimately, I can care less about my stats,” McBride said postgame. “Individual accolades will come with team success. That’s kind of the way that I look at it. I’m just doing my job.”
All I know is that what we are watching him do at the moment is truly spectacular. It’s like Rashard Higgins in 2014 or Kapri Bibbs in 2013 — McBride is simply putting on a show. I hope you go and watch him in person while you still have the opportunity to. Because trust me, McBride is going to be severely missed when he’s gone.
