Tight End
Ben Troupe
College: Florida
Year: Senior
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 260
Birthday: September 1, 1982
Strengths: Ben Troupe flashes the athletic ability that NFL scouts covet in tight ends. In Florida’s bowl game, he looked like a massive Edwin Moses as he hurdled a Michigan defender while on his way to a 27-yard gain. Troupe does not look like a 260-lb. man when he goes out on pass patterns, as he runs very well and is extremely light on his feet for a big guy.
Against Georgia, he hauled in a 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal a 20-13 Florida win. Gator coach Ron Zook has said that he has to find more ways to get the ball into Troupe’s hands. Troupe’s role should also expand this season since he should not be limited by the painful high ankle sprain with which he played last year. Troupe uses his size well and is an effective blocker.
Areas of Concern: Troupe’s high regard is based more upon potential than production at this point in his career. He has played mostly in double tight end sets and on special teams for the Gators due to the presence Aaron Walker, who the 49ers drafted in the fifth round last spring. Troupe has to show that he can be an every-down player. He could stand to get stronger and a little nastier when blocking.
How Would He Look in Steel Blue? Troupe could develop into the type of tight end who can handle both the blocking and the receiving aspects of the position. This would mean that the offense could become a little less predictable, since the opponents would be unable to predict the type of play based upon the personnel substituted in and out on each down. The Texans hope that they already have a player who can do that in Bennie Joppru, and Troupe still needs to prove that he can.
(profile written by Warren DeLuca
)
Ben Troupe’s 2002 Stats G CTH YDS AVG TD 13 15 200 13.3 1
Ben Troupe 
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