With it being August and official practices starting, it is now time to shift focus to previewing the 2021 season. For the next few weeks leading up to the season, I will be doing positional previews for the class of…
With it being August and official practices starting, it is now time to shift focus to previewing the 2021 season. For the next few weeks leading up to the season, I will be doing positional previews for the class of ’23. In my opinion, the most important year for high school football prospects in terms of gaining offers and interest is their junior year. Especially this year, most college football programs will be having tight scholarship numbers due to COVID and their ’22 classes will be small. Due to this, even more eyes will be on the ’23 prospects. After previewing ’23 RBs and WRs to put on your radar in my last article, this article will be focused on the tight end position.
Undeniably the top TE recruit in Michigan for the class of ’23, Parachek has many of the intangibles that P5 programs are looking for at the position. It is easy to see why schools like Michigan State, Arizona State, and Kentucky have offered him. Listed at 6’6 235, Brennan accounted for 45 catches and 515 yards along with 6 TDS during the 2020 season. I expect him to continue to be a key piece for Dexter’s offense in the passing game this season as he is a mismatch nightmare for defenders.
Kenneth Merrieweather
Out of one of the state’s top programs, Kenneth Merriewather is yet again another name to know for Detroit MLK’s loaded offense. He is extremely athletic at the TE position and provides a big target for QBs as he stands at 6’4. His balls skills and burst that allows him to blow by LB’s over the middle make him a lethal weapon in the passing game. Currently holding offers from Kentucky and Syracuse, Merriweather is in store for a breakout season where he has a chance to be a national recruit when it is all said and done.
Jake MacPhee
A hidden game in the ’23 class that deserves a lot more attention, Jake MacPhee is the most physical TE on this list. Standing at 6’4 and weighing 221, MacPhee runs extremely well given his size (ran a 4.64 during June at a Toledo camp). He is a nasty blocker and is a reliable target in the short passing game. D1 programs have noticed his progress throughout the offseason and if he can put everything together this season, I expect offers to start rolling in.
Josh Kriekaard
At 6’2 250, Josh Kriekaard was named MHSFCA Division 3 All-State team after his performance in the 2020 season. He is tough to bring down after the catch and uses the middle of the field well. Largely used in the redzone in the passing game, Kriekaard shows softs hands and is a tough matchup for defender. As you can see in the clip below, he is also athletic enough and has solid jumping ability to make tough catches.
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