National Tight End Day – 8 of the Top Tight Ends

In recent years top NFL tight ends like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Greg Olson, Darren Waller, etc., have created a movement to bring more appreciation for one of the game’s most underappreciated positions. Tight ends are asked to block edge rushers and go out and make plays in the passing game, a lot of work very little love for the versatile fellas. In celebration of this holiday, we will be showing appreciation for the many great tight ends across the state. Happy national tight ends to all the tight ends. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="147505" first="Kaden" last="Helms"] - Bellevue West 6’6" 220 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11431845/Kaden-Helms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Kaden has been deadly as a deep threat this year. Helms capitalizes on having several other targets on the T-Bird offense with his speed and route-running ability to beat mismatched defenders off the line. Once the ball is in his hands, he is as good as gone, showing off his elite speed and acceleration. Helms is not just a superior receiver, but he is a willing blocker like a true tight end. Helms has several vicious pancakes scattered across his film, showing his commitment to team success. The future Sooner definitely looks like a perfect piece for the high-flying Lincoln Riley offense. https://twitter.com/MattFosterTV/status/1449231816137793538?s=20 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11431845/616a6292066c0201fcdfd683" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="147504" first="Micah" last="Riley-Ducker"] - Bellevue West 6’6" 240 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11479445/Micah-RileyDucker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Yes, Bellevue West has two ELITE tight ends on their roster. And yes, they are as good as advertised. Micah is a prototypical tight end with a strong frame, height, speed, and vice hands. If there’s any place you don’t want to find yourself in is on the receiving end of a Riley-Ducker block. He will move you against your will and pancake you as LJ runs past you for a touchdown... it’s like clockwork. Ducker’s is also dangerous across the middle of the field with wheels to rack up yards after the catch. Micah will have the opportunity to cap off an excellent prep career during Bell West’s upcoming playoff run, maybe even end it with some jewelry. https://twitter.com/FauxCoachWoodar/status/1446631141818183681?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="180276" first="Benjamin" last="Brahmer"] - Pierce 6’6" 200 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9939090/Benjamin-R-M-Brahmer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> With 2023’s receiver class full of super athletes, Brahmer stands out. Nebraska not only recognized Brahmer’s talent early, but they were able to secure a commitment from the Bluejay. For someone with his length, he runs routes very smoothly and hardly wastes any motions. When going up for a catch, he is physical at the point of attack. There’s no one outreaching him with his insanely long arms and hops. I’m excited to see what he and QB [player_tooltip player_id="217056" first="Abram" last="Scholting"] have in store for the playoffs. With a real possibility of making the championship, will Brahmer get the chance to show out in his future home? <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9939090/615473a6d21c960ad027037e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9939090/6147707919a58f08807777db" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="151095" first="Trace" last="Thaden"] - Millard West 6’7" 220 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14585648/Trace-Thaden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> At 6 foot 7, Thaden is a super lengthy target with a long frame and max catching range. I like the various ways he was used as a pass-catcher. He was effective on crossing patterns, shallow passes, outs, fades, etc., and he did so at a high level. Thaden is very athletic and fast for his size, often able to turn the corner and gain some YAC and breaking tackles. This Wildcat also loves his pancakes and will go out looking to feast in lead-block situations. Trace has announced his commitment to the University of North Dakota, continuing his pass-catching, block-dealing ways. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14585648/61683e443448e5056cc4be13" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14585648/6158c11815f5a70bd8e6ad8c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="192730" first="Cory" last="Hollinger"] - Cross County 6’6" 225 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8185042/Cory-Hollinger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Hollinger is a versatile playmaker for the Cross County Cougars. He is an all-around tight end with superior blocking skills and a great set of receiver skills. He is also a relentless defensive end that uses his length to attack at the line of scrimmage and wreck backfields. Hollinger just wrapped up his best statistical regular season where he saw himself catch 17 passes for 299 yards and six touchdowns and will continue to add to these totals. Cory is rangy, reliable, and hungry and should be garnering more attention than he is. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8185042/617238f806611e09e466e363" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8185042/616b8f987bdd400b0844f25f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="157650" first="Trevor" last="Schwartz"] - Scottsbluff 6’4" 220 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11564136/Trevor-G-Schwartz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Trevor is just a football PLAYER. He loves just going out there and punishing people on either side of the ball. He will deliver some rigid blocks and stiff tackles to anyone in his way. His development and production in the passing game are what make him even more valuable. More often than not, he created separation and sneaked into soft spots in coverage to come away with a clutch catch. Schwartz also exhibited excellent body control, sticky hands, and he’s a terror to try and tackle. It’s no surprise that Scottsbluff is known for its physicality when players like Schwartz can go out there and leave a stamp on the game. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11564136/6175a3feab9297023c34af81" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11564136/61511db54df5910514ced422" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Cayden Echternach - Burke 6’4" 235 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13282643/Cayden-Echternach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Echternach is a player I’m buying a TON of stock in if I’m a coach. In person, he looks like a tight end; great height, size, length, and reliable hands. He can be a playmaker when you get the ball in his hands; he is tough to bring down on first contact and can cut to make men miss. Echternach also meets the other half of the job description with tough blocks. He is physical and will take the fight to defenders when blocking. Currently, he is one of our top tight end prospects for the ’23 class and should build on this as he gains more reps and continues to develop. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13282643/6144b6b55b3e150bc4239a0e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="148218" first="Koy" last="Wilke"] - Elkhorn South 6’4" 210 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11152379/Koy-Wilke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> [player_tooltip player_id="148218" first="Koy" last="Wilke"] is a player deserving more attention on the recruiting trail. Wilke plays very physically and with a win-first mentality that shows on every play. In the clip below, you can see him tackle his teammate into a first down, a very heads-up play during an important game. Koy can block exceptionally well, making sure to finish at the whistle. He could’ve put up huge numbers had he got a few more targets with his break-away speed and acceleration in the open field. With interest from Southeast Missouri State, Nebraska, and South Dakota, he should make a TE coach very happy with his talents. https://twitter.com/CariWilke/status/1446603090040340483?s=20