Class of 2022: Tight End Breakdown
In this article:
If you are looking for a position group to watch next fall, this is the one. No state boasts more tight ends ranked in the Top 20 of multiple consensus rankings. The state has several players who have been long-time…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIf you are looking for a position group to watch next fall, this is the one.
No state boasts more tight ends ranked in the Top 20 of multiple consensus rankings. The state has several players who have been long-time commits to national programs and still more who have been moving up quickly in our overall class rankings.
While many feel Oconee County’s Jake Johnson Jake Johnson 6'5" | 210 lbs | TE Oconee County | 2022 State GA is the best tight end prospect in the country, I’d make the case for West Forsyth’s Oscar Delp Oscar Delp 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE West Forsyth | 2022 State GA . Several players in these tight end rankings possess the physicality to step in immediately at the college level, but no other prospect in my estimation possesses Delp’s level of playmaking ability and speed (40-yard dash time measured at 4.63).
In terms of fluidity of movement, Delp’s athleticism looks elite. Whether split out wide or attached to the line, his strides seem effortless in comparison to players his size (6’5”, 220). He finished his junior season as his team’s leading receiver with 43 receptions for 730 yards and nine touchdowns. Currently uncommitted, Delp holds offers from nearly every major program in the country and is ranked as the No. 12 overall player in our rankings.
Johnson certainly has a case to make for the top spot, however. Ranked as the No. 21 overall player in our state rankings, Johnson is the prototype tight end in terms of frame and skills. He has shown an excellent ability to high-point the ball in jump-ball situations and routinely requires several defenders to bring him to the ground. Johnson is also currently uncommitted with offers from nearly every major program.
Holden Staes Holden Staes 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Westminster | 2022 State GA could end up being the best player on this list when all is said and done. A very fluid athlete who has shown excellent footwork in and out of breaks. A Penn State commit, Staes has also played defense in high school where he’s been an effective pass rusher. Staes is ranked No. 29 in our overall state rankings and has the potential to be an impact player in college.
The group of Bennett Christian Bennett Christian 6'6" | 235 lbs | TE Alatoona | 2022 State GA , Jack Nickel Jack Nickel 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Milton | 2022 State GA and Marlin Klein Marlin Klein 6'6" | 215 lbs | TE Rabun Gap-Nacoochee | 2022 State GA show the depth of this position within the state. Each is committed to a nationally-renowned program and each should have no trouble fighting for playing time as an underclassman at the next level. Christian may be the best run-blocker of any tight end prospect in the state and should continue to develop his strength at Ohio State.
One of the biggest sleepers in the state at any position could be Lee County tight end Tyrus Washington Tyrus Washington 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Lee County | 2022 State GA who is beginning to draw significant attention on the recruiting trail with offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and South Carolina among others. An impressive athlete, Washington’s receiving numbers haven’t been eye-popping in Lee County’s run-first offense. Nevertheless, Washington has the strength and speed to play the position at a high level and should be considered among the other players in this list.