Nick Bowers was expected to carve out a role on Joe Moorhead’s new offense. The redshirt freshman impressed the coaching staff this offseason and was hopeful to earn a regular spot in the tight end rotation.

Unfortunately, that won’t happen in 2016.

James Franklin announced on Tuesday that Bowers will miss the entire season with an undisclosed injury.

Bowers came to Penn State as a member of the 2015 class after switching from Pitt. The Kittanning, Pa. native was the No. 14 tight end recruit in the country.

We saw Bowers flash his athleticism this summer with this impressive dunk:

The Lions still have talent at the position. Starter Mike Gesicki is penciled in as the starter with Tom Pancoast, redshirt freshman Jon Holland, and true freshman Danny Dalton behind him.

PSU will kick off 2016 against Kent State on Saturday in State College.