FORT COLLINS, Colo. — There’s no doubt that Friday night’s outcome was a disappointment for the Ram Faithful. After nearly two years of waiting to watch Colorado State in person, South Dakota State rained all over the parade with a 42-23 road win. While the 2021 opener will be mostly remembered for frustration, though, the biggest positive of it all was that Trey McBride absolutely balled out in his first performance in front of a CSU crowd since 2019. 

McBride had an opportunity to go pro after a stellar showing in 2020. CSU only played four games but McBride performed well enough to massively improve his NFL Draft stock. Todd McShay, a longtime draft guru for ESPN, even had McBride as his No. 1 ranked tight end and No. 27 prospect overall in his first 2022 big board of the season. 

Obviously everyone wants to see a winning product on the field. Nobody is ever going to feel good about getting beaten down by an FCS opponent on their home turf, regardless of how talented that group may be. But after everything that McBride has committed to CSU — between remaining a Ram when Mike Bobo was fired — and sticking around once again following an awkward pandemic season — it’s hard not to feel good about him putting some quality production on film for scouts. 

There were representatives from multiple NFL teams at the home opener, including Buffalo, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Las Vegas and Washington. There will likely be more and more pro teams coming to town if McBride keeps it up. 

The Fort Morgan product was targeted 14 times Friday night, resulting in 13 receptions for 116 yards. His catch total was the most by any tight end in the country and the second-most overall. Only Illinois wide receiver, Isaiah Williams, had more with 14. Of all Division 1 tight ends this week, his receiving yardage ranked third.

Looking at CSU’s upcoming schedule, opponents from the SEC, Big Ten, and multiple Mountain West frontrunners is only going to help the exposure for McBride. An NFL representative might be going to the stadium to check out someone like Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa center), Cade Hall (San Jose State defensive end), or Carson Strong (Nevada quarterback). But when they see McBride doing everything from being the captain of the punt team to being CSU’s most reliable receiving target, the scouts are going to fall in love with McBride’s game. He’s a complete tight end that can not only move the sticks for you but can absolutely maul a linebacker in the run game as well. 

One would assume that getting McBride frequent touches will be a major point of emphasis for the CSU coaching staff all season. For one thing it gives the Rams the best chance to win. It’s also just the right thing to do. No matter what happens this season, McBride has certified himself as a Rams legend. He deserves to go out with a successful senior campaign, one that puts him in the national spotlight that he has earned. 

The coaches aren’t the only ones that need to keep their commitment though. Ram Nation should show out for McBride as well. As long as No. 85 is suiting up for CSU, he’s worth the price of admission. This dude has given his everything for this school. Whatever frustrations anyone has about the administration, coaching staff, etc, McBride absolutely should be appreciated fully in 2021. 

Following Friday night’s loss, McBride’s message to the CSU supporters was simple. “Stay with us.”

Says it all.