ISU tight end Bibbs continues to draw praise

AMES - Paul Rhoads often shies away from highlighting individuals. But in the case of tight end E.J. Bibbs, the ISU coach made an exception.

Rhoads stood in the front of the media at the Bergstrom Football Complex on Monday, rattling off the stats of the senior, who was named one of the eight semifinalist for the John Mackey Award.

As far as the tight ends Rhoads has been around as a coach, he feels Bibbs might be the best.

'I think E.J. has more of a complete package when you take into account his great hands, his athleticism and his ability to block and play the traditional spot as well as be flexed out,” Rhoads said. 'We also have to recall that he's doing this after a start that was hampered by August training camp surgery. I think it's remarkable what he's accomplished.”

Bibbs is tied for first among 'Power 5” conference tight ends in touchdowns with seven and ranks first first with catches per game (4.4). He also leads the Cyclones in receptions (40) and has caught a pass in 21 straight games, tying him for third overall in school history.

Finalists for the Mackey Award will be announced Nov. 24 with the winner named on Dec. 10.

As for the man throwing it to him, junior quarterback Sam Richardson sees Bibbs' presence on the field as reassurance in the passing game. He knows if he puts the ball in the vicinity, Bibbs is more than likely to come away with it, which adds a new dimension to the spread offense.

'He's versatile and he can run as well. He's a guy that changes a spread offense a little bit,” Richardson said. 'He gets in and make the run blocks he needs to as well so it adds a new little wrinkle and headache for the defense.”

Often matched up in practice with Bibbs is red-shirt freshman safety Kamari Cotton-Moya, who described Bibbs as the one player he loves to get matched up with in practice because of what he knows it can do for his own development.

While Bibbs wins the matchup more often than not in practice, getting that experience is what will aid Cotton-Moya in the years to come.

'His drive to be the best is just ridiculous,” Cotton-Moya said. 'You can see it in his eyes and see it in his work ethic and see it in his leadership as a captain, you can just see him wanting everybody to strive for their best and wants not only everyone, but himself to strive for the best. He's going to get it.”

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