5 Tight Ends from the Sac-Joaquin Section You Should Know About
While teams are using two and three tight end sets less frequently than before, the position is still important. Having at least one player who can block and be a receiving threat prevents offenses from tipping their hand to the…
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Continue ReadingWhile teams are using two and three tight end sets less frequently than before, the position is still important. Having at least one player who can block and be a receiving threat prevents offenses from tipping their hand to the defense in regards to the play call. A tight end that is a matchup nightmare for linebackers in the passing game and can hold his own against defensive lineman as a blocker forces defensive coordinators to honor both the run and the pass in just about every scenario.
The hybrid element to the position is what keeps it prevalent in today’s game, and the Sac-Joaquin section will have plenty of talented tight ends this season. Below is a look at five players to keep an eye on in 2020 and what they bring to the table.
Elijah Weaver – Stone Ridge Christain – Class of 2021
Weaver fits the description of a “new-aged” tight end to a tee. He has good acceleration and explosion off the line of scrimmage to stretch the field vertically and cause problems for linebackers in coverage. On short routes, he shows some solid change of direction skills to create separation. After the catch, the Stone Ridge Christian product is a tough runner who has good balance through contact and fights for extra yards. Weaver is poised to put together another strong campaign at the Division VII level of the section.
Garrett Elmore – Argonaut – Class of 2021
At 6’3″ 230 pounds, Elmore fits the description of a traditional tight end and plays like one too. Off the line of scrimmage, he’s good at stemming his route to avoid defenders and attack the open areas against zone coverage. The Mustang also knows when to turn his head and look for the ball on pop passes, combined with good hands, and play strength to high-point and bring the ball down through contact in contested catch situations. If he can add some athleticism this offseason to create more separation, he’ll become a dangerous receiving threat. Elmore also shows versatility as he plays linebacker on defense and contributes on special teams.
Franklin Smith – Mesa Verde – Class of 2021
Smith is a well-rounded tight end who has some impressive receiving and blocking skills. As a receiver, he has solid explosion off the line of scrimmage with good mental processing to slow down in and attack the voids against zone coverage. He is solid at adjusting to inaccurate throws, has good hands, and solid acceleration to get yards after the catch. The Citrus Heights native’s acceleration and explosion off the line of scrimmage also shows up when he’s blocking and hunting down linebackers. Smith also displays good physicality at the point of attack and has some nastiness to him when run-blocking. Adding some size and strength will help him finish blocks and win with physicality as a route runner, making him an interesting player to watch in the Golden Empire League this season.
Donovan Laban – Grant – Class of 2021
Any team that runs a spread offense should take a hard look at Laban as a potential option at the “Y” position. Not only can he win with his hand in the ground but also as a “big slot” when split out wide. He has good mental processing to look for the ball when he reaches a void in zone coverage, combined with good concentration and play strength to make catches in traffic. Also, the Pacer is good at bringing in passes that are above his head and digging out low balls. With the ball in his hands, that play strength shows up again along with good pad level and a refusal to go down easy to add extra yards after the catch. As a blocker, Laban displays good physicality at the point of attack and some nastiness to finish with defenders on the ground. If he can add some explosion out of his cuts on the top of his routes, and improve his technique by using of hands as a blocker, he’ll have no problem joining the long list of Grant High School alums who have gone on to play at the next level.
Mateo Gallichio – Gustine – Class of 2022
Gallichio is an up and coming junior who should be a fun player to watch over the next couple of years at the Division VI level of the section. Off the line of scrimmage, he has good play strength combined with a good rip move to beat press coverage and get into his route unimpeded. When running routes, he does a good job of getting on the defender’s toes before making his cut and has good change of direction skills to create separation. The Gustine native’s play strength is also on display after the catch as he can run through arm tackles and fights for extra yards. Gallichio already tips the scale at 230 pounds, and as he gets older and adds more speed and athleticism to his game, he should dominate in the Southern Athletic League.