2022 Class Rankings Breakdown: TEs

We’ve written multiple times now about how deep the peach state is at tight end. No other state is pumping out tight end prospects like Georgia, and they have the two best TE prospects in the country playing within the state for the 2022 class. Multiple tight ends across Georgia hold impressive D1 offers, and many of them will push for playing time the second they get to campus. They all have one year left to prove at the high school level, and it’s safe to say that each one will have an outstanding senior season to conclude their careers. Here are the top-ranked TE prospects in the state in the 2022 class. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33945" first="Oscar" last="Delp"] - West Forsyth</strong> It all starts with playmaker, <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/oscar-delp/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="33945" first="Oscar" last="Delp"]</span><span class="info-box"><span class="player-img"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/oscar-delp--150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/oscar-delp--150x150.jpg" /></span></span></a>. The 6-foot-5 225-pounder is the top-ranked tight end prospect in the country, but has no problem flexing out and playing receiver. He’s a complete mismatch for any defender and runs routes like polished receiver. Delp was the go-to playmaker for West Forsyth, especially in the passing game, and he should see more passes coming his way this year from junior quarterback, Keegan Stover. He’s a big target, he’s a reliable weapon in the passing attack, but maybe most importantly, he always comes up with a big play when the Wolverines need it the most. He took over the game against Rival West Forsyth and did the same thing against rival Lambert. Not only is he a weapon as a pass-catcher, but he’s also an impressive, physical blocker either on the edge of the outside. He checks all the boxes, and he holds major D1 offers from Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Michigan, among others. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95145" first="Jake" last="Johnson"] - Oconee County</strong> Like Delp, Johnson is one of the top overall tight end prospects in the country and proved it as a junior last fall. The future LSU Tiger is a big target at 6-foot-5 220-pounds with incredible athletic ability. Johnson is the son of former Super Bowl winning QB Brad Johnson and the brother of current LSU QB Max Johnson. Johnson is fundamentally sound, an above-average great route runner, and knows how to go up and make a play on the football. Last fall, Johnson caught 37 passes for 787 yards and 10 touchdowns while leading his team to the state championship game. Look for Johnson to be the go-to receiver for Oconee County once again in 2021. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33875" first="Holden" last="Staes"] - Westminster</strong> Another big target in the passing game, the 6-foot-4 220-pounder is one of the best in the metro-Atlanta are and is committed to Notre Dame after backing off his initial pledge to Penn State. The Westminster offense struggled last season, but it’s easy to notice Staes who already looks like a Power 5 tight end. He can catch, he can block, and he runs well for his size. When given an opportunity, Staes has the ability to make a tough catch in traffic and can be tough to cover in the middle of the field. He has no problem picking up yards after the catch and could be a major red-zone weapon for the Irish down the road. He’s athletic enough to play on both sides of the ball at the high school level, but he should be an impact TE at the next level due to his size, reliable hands, and physical presence as a blocker on the edge. &nbsp; <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/bennett-christian/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="33906" first="Bennett" last="Christian"]</span></a> -Allatoona</strong> The Cobb County star didn’t run up a ton of stats during his junior season, but there’s a reason why he’s ranked as one of the top TEs in the South for the 2022 class. Ohio State doesn’t take everyone, and they like Christian enough to add him on their 2022 commit list. As a junior this fall, Christian caught 18 passes for 216 yards and two TDs. He’s one of the bigger TEs in the state at 6-foot-6 235-pounds and is just as good in the run game as he is in the passing game. He also has strong hands as a pass-catcher and can be a mismatch for smaller, slower defenders at the next level. &nbsp;