FORT COLLINS - Despite being touted as perhaps the most physically gifted tight end in the history of Colorado State, there were times last season when Kory Sperry was on the field for only 20 to 25 snaps.

It is no secret why the fleet 6-foot-6, 260-pounder spent a large portion of the game on the sideline.

"My blocking," he said Tuesday at CSU football media day at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.

No one at CSU has complained about the pass-catching aspects of Sperry's game - he had 36 receptions for 380 yards and five touchdowns last season and has 93 catches in three seasons - but there were times when he was a liability in the Rams' running game.

The senior had no problems admitting that weakness, so he spent the offseason honing his blocking skills in hopes of ensuring he will be a full-time player this season.

"There are a lot of things that, when you go out there, they're natural," Sperry said. "Then there is the other stuff, like blocking, that's all mental and it's a willing and a want to do it. I'm the type of guy that, if I have a weakness, I'm going to work on it until I don't."

If the first few days of practice are any indication, Sperry is molding into a complete player.

"He worked so hard on his blocking this spring that he's a different guy," quarterback Caleb Hanie said. "He's a tougher guy, one to mow guys over and punish people. He just brings a different attitude."

That sentiment was echoed by coach Sonny Lubick, who had unwavering praise for the tight end.

"Kory Sperry, since the last game of last season - and this is something very special and says a lot for him - has never missed a run or a workout, through spring and all summer," Lubick said. "That would not have been the case a year ago."

Lubick does not like to directly mention the NFL when talking about the prospects of one of his players, but it was difficult for him to tiptoe around the subject when speaking of Sperry's potential.

He insists Sperry has a chance to be the best tight end to come through CSU, an impressive feat considering the recent success of Joel Dreessen, a senior in 2004, who now plays with the Houston Texans.

"It's an honor for him for people to say that about him," Hanie said. "But he's tall, huge and his speed has improved over the summer, it seems like.

"He can go over anybody to get a ball and he'll use his body to block off people and catch option routes. You can use him the short game and you can keep him in to block now."

Part of the reason Sperry might have been a bit slow to learn the blocking game is because, as a high school player at Pueblo County, he was the quarterback.

"I'd never blocked, but I can't use that as an excuse too much longer," Sperry said. "It won't be an excuse this year because I'm going to be an every-down guy."