Malzahn: Cannella 'can open up some things' for offense

AUBURN | Gus Malzahn’s offenses at Auburn have been at their best when they’ve had legitimate receiving threats at tight end.

In 2010, Philip Lutzenkirchen caught 15 passes for 185 yards and five touchdowns. A year later he had 24 receptions for 238 yards and seven touchdowns. His 14 career touchdowns are the most in school history.

C.J. Uzomah caught 11 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns in 2013 and finished his Auburn career with seven touchdown receptions.

Auburn won the BCS National Championship in 2010 and the SEC Championship in 2013.

In the two seasons since Uzomah left for the NFL after 2014, Auburn tight ends have caught just one pass, a 15-yard touchdown by Jalen Harris at Ole Miss this fall.

It’s no wonder Malzahn was excited with the signing of junior college tight end Sal Cannella Wednesday. The standout from Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College had 29 receptions for 449 yards and seven touchdowns this fall.

“We were wanting a long body who had receiver skills that can present different things, and I think Sal really gives us that look,” Malzahn said. “The fact he was a receiver in high school, and only played one year. A basketball guy.

“This past year in junior college they did a lot of stuff in the red zone – the one-on-one, 50-50 balls he's really good at. I think he's going to have a chance to get bigger once Coach Russell gets with him. He's a guy who can run. I think he can open up some things for our offense. We're real excited about him.”

Auburn lists Cannella at 6-foot-5 and 222 pounds. He’ll report to school in January and go through winter workouts and spring drills, giving him an early start on adding strength and size, and learning the offense.

The Arlington Heights, Ill., native joins Harris as Auburn’s only tight ends on the roster. But that’s still twice as many as the Tigers had last season.

“Tight end is one of those areas we needed more depth this year. Needed some speed there too,” Malzahn said. “We feel like Sal has a chance to really help us immediately. I think that was attractive to him the fact that we needed some help at that position. He’s seen what we have done in the past. When we were at our best we had a great tight end that really could do some things.

“Jalen Harris is a guy that’s getting better. He really did some good things blocking. He will be a guy that will continue to improve too.”