• Video Below: Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck speaks after Monday's practice.

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LINCOLN — When Nebraska's skill players assembled for 7-on-7 workouts this summer, Kyler Reed made sure he didn't line up exclusively at tight end.

The athletic junior didn't know back then what exactly his role would be this fall.

And actually, 11 practices into this year's preseason camp, Reed's still not sure.

His goal is to stay ready, though. It's been that way since the spring.

"They want me to be able to be versatile," Reed said Monday. "I think coach (Tim) Beck just wants me to know it all, in case I need to be there."

But where, exactly?

When asked after Monday's practice, Beck provided no specifics about his potential ideas for Reed. The new NU offensive coordinator only smiled and said that Reed, like the rest of the tight ends, "can do a lot of things."

The 6-foot-3 Reed is a playcaller's dream at tight end, agile enough within his 232-pound frame to create mismatches with safeties and linebackers and strong enough to hold his ground at the line of scrimmage.

He was one of the few consistent threats in Nebraska's up-and-down passing attack last year, finishing with 22 catches and eight receiving touchdowns. He averaged a team-high 18 yards per reception.

It's clear that one of Beck's goals this fall is to utilize Reed more often, presumably at various positions within the offensive scheme to keep opponents guessing. Put him in the backfield. Line him up in the slot, or way out wide. Reed and the NU staff hinted at the implementation of that multi-faceted hybrid plan during the spring.

But it's apparently too early for experimentation right now.

"We've been keeping it pretty simple so far," Reed said.

Reed's not complaining, though. It's allowed him to focus on perfecting his own craft.

The first order of business: run blocking. If Reed had to pinpoint a weakness last year, that was it.

In many instances last season, Reed would substitute into the game and see opponents react by switching to smaller, speedier lineups. It wasn't much of a secret that when Reed was on the field, Nebraska was more likely to call a pass play than a run.

He's added about seven pounds since, bulk that should help when matched up against bigger defensive ends. He's also made it a point to absorb the teachings of graduate assistant Vince Marrow, who played tight end in the NFL for five teams and is obsessed with proper footwork.

"Technique, that's the big thing," Reed said. "You don't know that when you're in high school, but once you come here, you realize that technique is everything."

Reed's work is starting to pay off. Beck said he's noticed a difference.

"He's picked up a lot from where he left off," Beck said. "He's continued to improve his blocking and certainly he's a weapon in the passing game. I've been really pleased with what Kyler's been doing."

Now Beck gets to place Reed in his weekly game plans.

But if he's already scheming, he hasn't yet shared the plots with Reed. So far, Reed said he's been "mostly" a tight end in fall camp, but he's prepared for an increased role.

"I had a good season last year and my age has gone up, so I need to step up and be a leader," Reed said.

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• Video: Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck speaks after Monday's practice: