7 Tight Ends in Iowa That Do it All

Everyone notices the tight end position when the athlete in that spot makes the big play: an awe-inspiring touchdown grab or a big catch and run, trampling and dragging defenders in the process. It isn’t as often that a tight end is noticed for the dirty work done in the trenches blocking and sacrificing their bodies. These young men do it all. [player_tooltip player_id="23946" first="Eli" last="Raridon"], Valley, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12929326/Eli-Raridon">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EliRaridon">Twitter</a> TE, 6’6, 230 With a huge frame and catch radius Raridon can and does go up and catch balls that only he can get. He runs advanced and technical routes with the agility and footwork of a wide receiver, but is also very physical and technical like an offensive tackle in the way he blocks. Raridon is fearless when it comes to making contested catches, taking contact as he’s making the catch, or lowering the shoulder to deliver the blow against tacklers. His hands are visibly huge on film; he is strong and secure making receptions, but also uses those hands to stab, strike, and lock on his blocks with violence and persistence. [player_tooltip player_id="99199" first="Braden" last="Hemann"], Waukon, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11376896/5fece1ea23526714845b4afc">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BradenHemann">Twitter</a> TE, 6’4, 210 Hemann can run down the middle of the field making tough catches in high traffic areas and run crisp short routes picking up big yards after the catch. He does a really nice job of using superior athleticism at the top of his routes to position himself in a way that keeps defenders from being able to make plays. Hemann is also one heck of a blocker on the line of scrimmage. He regularly does a fantastic job sealing the edge with a scoop block or getting defenders out of their gaps on reach blocks. Hemann squares himself up well to the point of attack, engages, and finishes his blocks with tenacity. [player_tooltip player_id="23945" first="Gabe" last="Burkle"], Prairie, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11383704/5dcdbee89680fb0d0409738c">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/GabeBurkle">Twitter</a> TE, 6’7, 240 Burkle has rare speed, quickness, and coordination for his size. He can leap and snag 50/50 balls away from defenders, make catches on crossing patterns and turn it up field in stride, or catch the ball on a designed screen or bubble and accelerate into space. Burkle takes big powerful strides and runs deceptively fast to get behind coverage or break away from tacklers. He picks up tough yards after a catch and drags defenders. Burkle is a rugged blocker at the line of scrimmage and is even more impressive down field. He often takes out more than one defender as he locks onto a linebacker and drives them into another defenders path. [player_tooltip player_id="100050" first="Ethan" last="Snieder"], Sioux City East, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13079920/Ethan-Snieder">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanSnieder">Twitter</a> TE, 6’4, 210 Snieder has very legitimate aptitude operating in the middle of the field. He does a nice job of finding space in zones, catching the ball, absorbing a lot of contact, and fighting for extra yards. Snieder is equally impressive when chipping pass rushers at the line of scrimmage and releasing into shorter routes to pick up tough yards. Snieder is a great second level blocker and regularly over matches the athleticism and physicality of linebackers. He is formidable when combo blocking or taking an angle straight to the next level. Snieder shows a lot of versatility in alignment and can line up at H to insert or lead block. [player_tooltip player_id="99203" first="Wiley" last="Sherburne"], Janesville, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11274240/Wiley-Sherburne">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SherburneWiley">Twitter</a> TE, 6’4, 190 There is an absolute burst and acceleration that Sherburne has out of his stance and into routes, which are run really well and he has a keen ability to get open. Sherburne is a mismatch for linebackers with his speed and defensive backs with his size; a very potent combination. Sherburne is very fluid in his breaks and changes of direction, which lead to a lot of uncontested catches. On run downs Sherburne is flexible in his alignment as he can play at the line of scrimmage or split out. He is a very effective downfield blocker who can create a lot of space for a ball carrier beyond the first level. [player_tooltip player_id="104751" first="Blake" last="Herold"], Shenandoah, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13070638/5f8945573864d20a8c1f8099">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeHerold1">Twitter</a> TE, 6’4, 220 Herold is a deadly mixture of size, athleticism, and savagery; a perfect combination for playing the tight end position. Herold is most effective in the passing game when running crossing patterns, especially a drag or whip route. He has the speed to leave defenders behind and polished route running ability that creates separation. Upon making the catch Herold turns it up and runs over and through defenders with punishing stiff arms and long strides. Herold is a menacing blocker and can bring a lot of direct pressure to the face of a defensive lineman with nasty down and base blocks. Luke Ruggeberg, Cascade, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13365937/Luke-Ruggeberg">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RuggebergLuke">Twitter</a> TE, 5’11, 185 Ruggeberg has the ability to make some very tough catches look easy. He can run a vertical route down the middle of the field or hit a crossing route and find space in zones to help his quarterback place the ball where only he can get it. Ruggeberg displays the wherewithal to redirect or break off routes at the right time. He plays taller than he is and can go up and make catches against rangy defenders. Ruggeberg is versatile in alignment and does an equally good job of blocking in confined space or the open field. He uses good mechanics and leverage to move larger linemen, but can breakdown and lock onto more quick and agile athletes.