Dennis Pitta one of the big boys?

Tight end Dennis Pitta might be geared for a breakout season this fall. He’s bigger and faster.

And he’s not just off his mission trying to fit in to Robert Anae’s offense.

Pitta ended this past season as a significant weapon for Max Hall. But he admitted he was just getting the feel of how to physically fight off defenders who were starting to push, shove, hold, bump and bust him down the field.

Hall was just getting used to using Pitta as a go-to weapon in mismatches with safeties and linebackers. At the end of last season both UCLA and Utah used sort of a man and zone to cover him with one guy while another cheated over to take away some of Pitta’s space. It got very physical, as you may remember on Pitta’s sideline route in front of the Utah bench that drew a controversial flag.

Pitta just got married this past weekend to Max Hall’s sister-in-law. Pitta, who now weighs 250 pounds, will enter fall drills the biggest he’s ever been in his life. His added weight is muscle and he’ll likely shed off at least five pounds in two-a-days.

His admission into BYU’s cadre of successful tight ends most closely resembles Chad Lewis. Both were walkons. Both earned scholarships early. They have the same body build and have similar styles of play, although Pitta likely won’t hurdle anybody like Lewis liked to do.

As a walkon in Provo before his freshman year, John Beck begged Gary Crowton to give Pitta a role and a hard look. He was impressed with his abilities. Crowton listened.

But how good will Pitta be when he leaves BYU? He is a junior this year, just like Hall and Collie.

There have been some very good tight ends in BYU history, most notably Lewis, Itula Mili, Gordon Hudson, Clay Brown, Todd Thompson and Chris Smith, to mention a few.

Who is your pick as the best tight end at BYU and does Pitta have the skills of leaving BYU with consideration of being one of the best?