Who is the best 2023 MO Tight End?

To play valuable snaps as a freshman in high school is an incredible feat. Most freshman can’t find their homeroom or figure out the combination of their locker. For a player to join a team in the summer between eighth grade and ninth, learn a playbook, earn the older players respect and gain the trust of the coaches is a heavy burden. For a freshman to start and contribute mightily is even more impressive. That’s why the battle of these two 2023 tight ends will be one to watch for the next three seasons. [caption id="attachment_37042" align="alignleft" width="139"]<img class=" wp-image-37042" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/70526-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="139" height="139" /> Photo: Jason Schoenig, <a href="https://dirtandturfphoto.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dirt and Turf Photos</a>[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="37655" first="Mac" last="Markway"], DeSmet Jesuit (6’3, 232) Markway comes from long line of tight ends as his father played at Iowa and his cousin is now a member of the New York Giants. As much as I am a fan of legacy, each player needs to want to be great in their own right and not play because their father did. Markway is exactly that type of player. There is a different kind of toughness with Mac that is rare in young players today. Not only does he excel as a blocker, but he thrives on making the key block to spring a play. As a freshman, you keep your head down, do your job and stay quiet. Markway played at a high level in 2019. But the most impressive fact about his play, especially during DeSmet’s playoff run, was that the freshman had TWO (2) broken wrists. He didn’t tell the trainers, he never complained.  The game means that much to him that he simply NEEDED to be on the field. Markway holds numerous Power Five offers [player_tooltip player_id="37661" first="Brett" last="Norfleet"], Francis Howell (6’7, 225) Norfleet is an impressive physical specimen for being so young. Not only does the Francis Howell product have a bright future on the gridiron, but he may be a better baseball pitcher. That competitive drive shines through in his play. Norfleet never wants to take a down off and though he should be the focal point of the passing game, the freshman grinded as a blocker and worked to improve his technical side of the game. Norfleet has soft hands, drops his weight well for a tall, young player out of his breaks and snatches the football out of the air quickly. Norfleet should be a two-sport athlete in college which speaks to his dedication, drive and internal fortitude. But if he were to focus on football, hit the weight room and add 30 pounds, Norfleet would be a specimen. The ascending player holds offers from Missouri, Tennessee, Kansas State and others.