PROSPECT SUMMARY – DYLAN SOEHNER

A part of a heavy rotation at the tight end spot for the Cyclones, Dylan Soehner has been the man tasked with doing a bulk of the dirty work for the group. Hardly ever being incorporated in the passing game, he’s tasked with performing various types of blocks. From in-line, the hip, and out on the perimeter, he’s been forced to consistently block from various structures and platforms.

Ideal Role: Developmental ‘Y’ tight end that fills out the depth chart at the final spot.

Scheme Fit: In-line blocker that serves simply as that.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Jordan Reid

Games watched: Texas (2020), Oregon (2020), Kansas State (2020), Baylor (2020)

Best Game Studied: Texas (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Oregon (2020, Bowl game)

Hands: He has inconsistent hands because of how little experience he has in the passing game. There are lots of examples where he doesn’t seem to be a natural hands-catcher. This would also explain why he had such little involvement in the passing game.

Route Running: Serving primarily as a blocker, Soehner’s opportunities in the passing game come strictly off of that. Underneath routes on designed bootlegs and quick pop passes off of quick mesh fakes are where a lot of his receptions have come from. He’s hardly ever used on designed routes in certain passing concepts.

Versatility: All of Soehner’s versatility centers around him being a blocker. Used in-line, in motion, and then cross blocking on split zone and executing from the hip of offensive tackles are a few of the various different ways that he was utilized during his career.

Competitive Toughness: Unafraid to do the dirty work and get his face in the mix, Soehner enjoys the process of run blocking. Mixing it up with defensive ends from various angles, he has proper technique when blocking, but his base can get away from him at times when engaged with stronger defenders.

Ball Skills: Lacking in this department, Soehner’s role was to serve as the team's blocking tight end. Outside of the game against Texas, Soehner received very few targets. With his role clearly defined, he embraced the contributions as a blocking tight end, but could be capable of expanding his route package more than just being a target off of play-action.

Football IQ: As a blocker, he displays lots of savvy with angles. When tasked with being the motion option to move back into the tackle boxes prior to making boxes, he’s aware to not overrun his assignments. Coming to balance and putting his body in the right spots, he’s able to physically overwhelm them at the point of attack.

RAC Ability: Because his opportunities have been so limited, he hasn’t been afforded many opportunities to prove that he’s a realistic option to gain yards after the catch. Based on his limited routes and what he’s asked to do, high RAC numbers aren’t a strong suit of his game overall.

Pass Protection: Utilized often as the extra man on six -and seven-man protections, he’s incorporated in the mixture of full-slide protections. As the end man on the line of scrimmage, he’s able to play his role and fit in on them.

Big-Play Ability: Non-existent in his game overall, his most explosive play came against Texas Tech where he was able to create during a 26-yard reception. Soehner’s sole purpose in the offense was his ability to block and sustain at the point of attack.