2022 Class Position Ratings: Tight Ends

<strong>2022 Class Position Ratings: Tight Ends</strong> &nbsp; As we inch closer to signing day for the 2021 class we continue our early look at the top names for 2022 with a look at the tight ends today. &nbsp; Below is a look at the top 5 names on the radar to watch. <strong> </strong> <strong> </strong> <ol> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59460" first="Jaleel" last="Skinner"], Greer, 6’5, 215</strong></li> </ol> There is competition at every spot on offense but there was none here with Skinner landing here without any argument. His upside, size, speed, and athleticism combined with his production make him an elite prospect. The Class 4A First-Team All-State and All-Region selection was named an All-American by Adidas and selected to play in the UA All-America Game.  Skinner plays receiver and tight end where he is used as a blocker and receiver. He is a smooth runner who uses his size well and can make defenders miss. He has the speed to take it to the end zone and the strength to break arm tackles.  The All-American’s blocking really improved in his junior year as he has filled out his frame and gotten stronger. The Greer standout is also averaging a double-double on the hardwood this winter.  He currently has more than 20 offers with his top four being Clemson, Florida, Florida State, and South Carolina. We believe he will ultimately choose the Clemson Tigers and be an impact player in the ACC. <strong> </strong> <ol start="2"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91171" first="Joshua" last="Sapp"], Greenville, 6’4, 225</strong></li> </ol> His size and speed made him versatile enough to be a force at quarterback, tight end, defensive end, and special teams.  On defense he shows good strength to push the pocket and rush the passer. He can play inline or in space as a receiver or blocker on offense with the vertical ability to high point the ball and catches naturally. Once he catches the ball he was difficult to drag down and often required multiple defenders to tackle him.  He finished with 15 catches for 213 yards and on defense he had three tackles for loss, two sacks, and one hurry in six games last season. While Sapp will certainly garner interest as a defender we believe his best position is offense where he could be a very good college tight end at the D1 level. Currently, he has just one offer from Georgia State but has received interest from Clemson, App State, Akron, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Liberty, East Carolina, Oregon State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and others. <strong> </strong> <ol start="3"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103786" first="Luke" last="Bracey"], Rock Hill, 6’6, 225</strong></li> </ol> Bracey is an intriguing prospect for the 2022 cycle because his primary position was defensive end where he was a very good player but he also backed up Alabama signee [player_tooltip player_id="59296" first="Robbie" last="Ouzts"] at tight end.  He has the size (6’6, 225) to become a nightmare for teams on either side. On defense, he had 31 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, and 13 hurries in 2020. He has a good frame where he could easily add another 15-25 pounds between now and the end of his freshman year in college. He had just two catches for 12 yards but should be featured more in 2021 now that he will become a starter. He also plays basketball where you can see those skills in how he makes the reception in football. He has already gotten some interest from several D1 schools and is a player who will definitely blow up by mid-season at the latest. <strong> </strong> <ol start="4"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103787" first="Wyatt" last="Smith"], Johnsonville, 6’5, 205</strong></li> </ol> If you are looking for a sleeper who is barely on the radar then this is a prospect to watch. Smith has a long, lean build with the room to add weight and he runs very well. He has the speed to break open a big play and catches the ball well. The underrated prospect averaged 21.2 per catch with six touchdowns and 127 yards in eight games.  He made an impact on special teams at times with blocked punts and on defense he tallied 26 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and one pass breakup as he uses his size and speed well. We believe his future is on offense where he can become a big time prospect with added strength and improved blocking. <strong> </strong> <ol start="5"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103788" first="Callan" last="Sobas"], Nation Ford, 6’2, 200</strong></li> </ol> Sobas might be undersized but he is a good athlete who can run and makes an impact on both sides of the ball. The defensive prospect plays with a good motor and runs well. After being just a backup in 2019 he became a starter in 2020 with six catches for 34 yards and one touchdown on offense while he tallied 23 tackles, four sacks, and one hurry at defensive end in five games.  He was also voted the team’s most improve player and is a definite All-State and All-Region candidate in 2021. Keep an eye on Sobas as a potential FCS prospect as the process moves along and he gets more attention.