After thorough study using specific scoring criteria[1], Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles[2], Sanjay Kirpalani The tight end position has undergone a face-lift in recent years. Whereas players at that position used to be extra blockers in the run game with the capability to occasionally slip out into pass routes, tight ends nowadays are walking mismatches that quarterbacks rely on in critical situations. The 2016 recruiting class has a handful of tight end prospects, headlined by 5-star and current Georgia early enrollee Isaac Nauta[6], who are capable of being difference-makers both as blockers and receivers. The latest edition of the CFB Recruiting 200 series will take a close look at the elite tight ends available in the 2016 class. Bleacher Report scored the top tight ends[7] on key metrics such as hands (25 points), route running (20 points), blocking (20 points), release (20 points), speed (5 points) and agility (10 points). The cumulative scores from those traits resulted in our overall grade of each prospect. How do the nation's best tight ends stack up on film? All analysis completed by B/R National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani[8]. Height/Weight: 6'6", 240 lbs High School: Perry High, Perry, Ohio 247Sports Ranking: No. 7 TE, No. 190 overall Bleacher Report Score: 86/100 Committed to Ohio State on July 24, 2015 After taking visits to programs such as Michigan State, Notre Dame and Penn State, 4-star tight end Luke Farrell[11] committed to in-state power Ohio State last summer. Farrell also held offers from programs such as Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan and Oregon. As a junior, Farrell hauled in 43 receptions for 730 yards and six touchdowns. Bleacher Report Analysis Farrell is a jumbo athlete who moves well for a player his size. As a receiver, he's versatile enough to be flexed out wide, and he's an above-average blocker in the run game. He's still a little raw in the finer details of being a receiver, but he has the tools to be an effective player for the Buckeyes if he continues to develop. Height/Weight: 6'3", 220 lbs High School: Laurel High, Laurel, Mississippi 247Sports Ranking: No. 6 TE, No. 175 overall Bleacher Report Score: 88/100 Committed to Ole Miss on Dec. 31, 2014 After visiting Auburn, Mississippi State and Southern Miss, 4-star tight end Octavious Cooley[14] committed to Ole Miss in Dec. 2014. Cooley held offers from Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Tennessee. Over his first three seasons on the prep level, Cooley recorded 154 catches for 2,971 yards and 31 touchdowns. Bleacher Report Analysis Cooley spent his prep career serving more as a jumbo wideout on the outside. The benefit to that is that he's advanced in key receiving traits such as catching the ball with his hands, route running and getting separation off the line of scrimmage. Cooley's biggest adjustment at the next level will be in the blocking aspect of playing tight end. Regardless, his upside as a pass-catcher makes him an intriguing option as he transitions to tight end in college. Height/Weight: 6'2", 233 lbs High School: Imhotep Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 247Sports Ranking: No. 5 TE, No. 155 overall Bleacher Report Score: 89/100 Committed to Florida State on Sept. 1, 2015 After compiling more than 40 offers, 4-star tight end Naseir Upshur[17] narrowed his choices to Florida State and Michigan. The Seminoles won out for Upshur, who held offers from powers such as Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Penn State, among others. As a junior, Upshur caught 22 passes for 640 yards and 11 scores. Bleacher Report Analysis Upshur won't wow you with his measurables. However, when it comes to the nuances of playing tight end, he's a throwback player who brings effort, intensity and a relentless motor as a blocker. As a receiver, he's still raw, but he's athletic enough to be a mismatch for linebackers and safeties at the next level. Assuming he develops as a route-runner, Upshur has the chance to be a productive player at Florida State. Height/Weight: 6'4 ½", 230 lbs High School: Archbishop Moeller High, Cincinnati, Ohio 247Sports Ranking: No. 4 TE, No. 120 overall Bleacher Report Score: 90/100 Committed to Ohio State on Jan. 25, 2015 Before Farrell jumped into the Buckeyes class[20], head coach Urban Meyer[21] had already landed a pledge from 4-star tight end Jake Hausmann[22]. Hausmann selected the Buckeyes over offers from Florida State, Notre Dame, Penn State and Wisconsin, among others. Hausmann is the No. 6 prospect from the state of Ohio in the 2016 class. Hausmann has plenty of tools to work with, which makes him a perfect option for Meyer's offense. He can line up and be an in-line tight end or an H-back, and he has tremendous upside given his ability to be effective as a receiver or blocker in either position. As a receiver, he's shown great strides in his route running and his ability to attack the ball in the air. He's also a load to bring down in the open field. Overall, Hausmann has all of the necessary traits needed to contribute early in his career with the Buckeyes. Height/Weight: 6'3", 270 lbs High School: De La Salle High (Concord, California) 247Sports Ranking: No. 3 TE, No. 74 overall Bleacher Report Score: 90/100 Uncommitted: Considering Alabama, Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington Similar to Devin White, 4-star California athlete Devin Asiasi[25] is another jumbo prospect who could play either tight end or defensive end at the next level. As a junior, Asiasi racked up five sacks and 264 yards receiving with two scores. Alabama, Oregon and Washington are among the programs trying to lure away Asiasi from Golden State powers UCLA and USC. Bleacher Report Analysis At 270 pounds, Asiasi is an intriguing option at either defensive end or tight end. However, his highest ceiling may be on offense simply because there aren't many players his size who can do the things he does. He's athletic enough to flex out as a receiver and is already an above-average route-runner. He's got great hands, knows how to attack the ball in the air and has the size to mature into a good in-line blocker. He still has to learn the finer points of playing tight end, but the potential is there for him to develop into a star. Height/Weight: 6'5 ½", 235 lbs High School: Marcus High, Flower Mound, Texas 247Sports Ranking: No. 2 TE, No. 37 overall Bleacher Report Score: 91/100 Committed to Stanford on April 11, 2015 At the time he pledged to Stanford, 4-star tight end Kaden Smith[28] became just the third member of the Cardinal's 2016 class[29]. Smith chose the Cardinal over offers from Alabama, Baylor, Clemson, Texas and Texas A&M among others. Over his four-year prep career, Smith hauled in 144 receptions for 2,260 yards and 17 touchdowns. Bleacher Report Analysis Smith has the characteristics of a wide receiver but in the body of a prototypical tight end. He's physical enough to be an effective blocker in the run game. As a receiver, he's a mismatch for both linebackers and defensive backs. He also has great leaping ability to win jump-ball or one-on-one situations. Smith's skill set appears to be a perfect marriage with Stanford's offense, which is known to feature the tight end. He has the size and athleticism necessary to be an impact performer next season in Palo Alto, California. Height/Weight: 6'3 ¼", 244 lbs High School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida 247Sports Ranking: No. 1 TE, No. 12 overall Bleacher Report Score: 94/100 Enrolled at Georgia (committed on Jan. 9, 2016) 5-star tight end Isaac Nauta[32] made an early pledge to Florida State before reopening his process last summer. After narrowing his choices[33] to Alabama, Georgia and Michigan, Nauta opted to commit to the Bulldogs at the U.S. Army All-America Bowl. He enrolled early two days later. As a senior, Nauta caught 13 passes for 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Bleacher Report Analysis Don't let Nauta's senior stats fool you with regard to his abilities. I've gone on record saying he's the best tight end prospect I've seen in recent memory. Beyond his college-ready frame and elite skill set, his drive and motor are what separate him as one of the nation's premier playmakers in the 2016 cycle. His dominance at The Opening is evidence of his potential at the next level. He was the best route-runner, including the receiver segment, at the event. He's a mismatch nightmare as a receiver, and he's a tenacious blocker in the run game. He has the talent to be a college-level defensive end—which is a testament to his athleticism. As an early enrollee, Nauta appears primed to make a difference for the Bulldogs in 2016.
[3] andTyler Donohue[4] have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports composite rankings[5] and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the class of 2016. Here we present the Top Tight Ends.
Bleacher Report Analysis
References
- ^ scoring criteria (docs.google.com)
- ^ Damon Sayles (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Sanjay Kirpalani (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Tyler Donohue (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ 247Sports composite rankings (247sports.com)
- ^ Isaac Nauta (247sports.com)
- ^ scored the top tight ends (s3.amazonaws.com)
- ^ Sanjay Kirpalani (twitter.com)
- ^ Share on Facebook (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Share on Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Luke Farrell (247sports.com)
- ^ Share on Facebook (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Share on Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Octavious Cooley (247sports.com)
- ^ Share on Facebook (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Share on Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Naseir Upshur (247sports.com)
- ^ Share on Facebook (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Share on Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Buckeyes class (ohiostate.247sports.com)
- ^ Urban Meyer (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Jake Hausmann (247sports.com)
- ^ Share on Facebook (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Share on Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Devin Asiasi (247sports.com)
- ^ Share on Facebook (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Share on Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Kaden Smith (247sports.com)
- ^ 2016 class (stanford.247sports.com)
- ^ Share on Facebook (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Share on Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Isaac Nauta (247sports.com)
- ^ narrowing his choices (247sports.com)
