By Currie McFayden
Athletics Media Services Assistant

A high school quarterback who totaled more than 10,000 total yards and a collegiate wide receiver who ranks 10th in program history in receiving yards may appear to have little in common at first glance, yet Campbell teammates A.J. Artis and Austin Fleming now share a common bond in the Camels' offense: both put in work in the offseason to convert to the tight end position.

"As a wide receiver, I was always pretty big for the position," Artis said. "I was always having to watch my weight, so I decided to move to tight end. I knew it would be a lot more contact and physical play, so I had to work on my technique as well."

The redshirt junior from Eden, N.C., entered the 2014 season with 426 career receiving yards, including a 27-catch, 264-yard performance with a touchdown during his sophomore campaign. Since his offseason conversion, Artis has totaled six catches for 69 yards, good for fifth and sixth on the squad, respectively.

"Our tight ends are very important in our offensive scheme," head coach Mike Minter said. "To have a guy like A.J. that can run like a wide receiver but that also has a big enough body to block in the running game has been a tough matchup for teams."

Adding to that difficult matchup is the presence of Fleming, a sophomore from King, N.C., who twice earned CFPA National Tight End of the Week honorable mentions during the 2013 season. The talented athlete, a former high school quarterback, set Campbell's single-season yards per catch record as a freshman, hauling in 10 passes for 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns. This season, Fleming has seven catches for 75 yards through the first five games.

"I've played quarterback since I was six years old, so it's been a big difference," Fleming said. "You go from handling the ball on every snap to having just a few chances each game to make an impact in the passing game, but no matter what position I play, I know that I can continue to be a leader on the field."

The one-two punch of Artis and Fleming have combined for 20 percent of Campbell's receptions this season, nearly 10 times the production that the Camels got out of their tight ends in 2013. The addition of bigger, more versatile athletes at the position has allowed the offense to be more diverse in its game plan this season.

"You have a guy with a big frame like Fleming that can run and is fluid in the passing game, he's really the prototypical type of tight end that you want," Minter said of the sophomore. "Artis, coming in from the outside, brings speed that we can use to take advantage against linebackers and safeties as opposed to matching him up against corners. His ability to make plays with guys hanging on him has really developed this season."

While the early returns on the position change have been positive for both players, the amount of effort that each had to display during the offseason cannot be understated. Both had to familiarize themselves not only with the terminology of the tight end position, but with the physicality of it as well. The process was physically and mentally taxing on both players but has ultimately shaped them into more polished offensive weapons.

"Coach (Duncan) McLaurin has helped me a lot in the transition," Artis said of his position coach. "When camp started, he worked with all of us individually. I still say he's the best tight ends coach in the nation."

"When I came in, I was a fast kid, I've always been blessed with speed, and Coach McLaurin wanted me to keep that," Fleming added. "As a tight end, I knew I was going to have to put on weight and I'm getting there. That's what A.J. has; he's so strong and fast and has helped keep me motivated through the change. I still want the ball in my hands because I feel that's when I play my best, and I have the opportunity to do that."

With the early-season success of the Camels' new tight end tandem, fans can expect to see much more of the duo in the coming weeks as Campbell heads deeper into PFL play.

"I really like playing with A.J. He's a good guy and I've learned a lot about him since we started working together. I know what he does well through practices and games, and I'm sure he knows what I do well," Fleming said in reference to Artis. "Playing together is a good fit for us. I feel like if a defense is keying on him, then I'll have chances to get open. If they focus on me, then he'll have open space. Between the two of us, we also draw defense attention away from our outside receivers as well."

"I expect A.J. and Austin to be in the 30-reception range by the end of the season," Minter said. "When they get their opportunities, they can make things happen. Their role will continue to grow; it's only in its infancy stage right now. As Dakota [Wolf] gets more comfortable with the offense, he'll start to look to these weapons even more."

Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Artis and Fleming have readily embraced their new role in Campbell's offense and have forged a strong partnership after only five games playing together.

"We all work as one," Artis said. "If I have no more catches for the rest of the season and we win a championship then it doesn't matter. Each week we try to get better and better, and I believe that we're just beginning to hit our stride."

"I've always been told to know my role," Fleming added. "You're going to know your role in college. You're going to know your role in life, and you just have to do it to the best of your ability. I believe that all of the tight ends that we have understand their roles, and when you put all of that together it becomes very hard to stop us."