Stock Risers: 2023 Tight Ends

Finding a tight end who can both block and catch the football is easier said than done nowadays. These young men displayed the willingness and athletic ability to be more than capable tight end prospects at the next level. Look for their stock to continue to rise this off-season and expect a big senior campaign. Here’s who you need to watch for! <hr /> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="189475" first="Ashton" last="Wilson"], 6’3", 210, Dublin Scioto</strong></em> A strong pass-catcher off play-action who can slip past coverage. Wilson is a more than capable inline blocker who plays with good knee bend. Once he latches his hands on the breastplate, he’s a tough man to shed and will look to punish defenders by burying them into the turf. He easily reaches five techniques as a wing and can make a clear path for off-tackle runs. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12807699/6176c66415f5840b68924bfd" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Joseph Wassler, 6’5", 220, St. Xavier</strong></em> Wassler’s recruitment has begun to heat up over the last few weeks, receiving offers from the likes of Connecticut and Kent State. This is a big man who is a more than capable route runner and is a true mismatch on linebackers when working out of the slot. He shows outstanding body control and has no issues blocking in space. On tape, he plays with an edge and will look to set the tone early in the run game. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13053027/61bee72ee97bee06c8ab0550" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Conner Cravaack, 6’5", 220, Madeira</strong></em> A highly productive receiving threat that turns into a brute runner after the catch. Conner understands how to use his body as a weapon and can create separation with his size &amp; strength. He has solid top-end speed and can turn a quick game route into an explosive play. On tape, he showed the ability to create vertical displacement in the run game and quite a forceful punch. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11792396/6181725e4ba81909307f81b3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Nalin Robinson, 6’4", 235, Zane Trace</strong></em> An absolute mauler who dominates when asked to down block. As a runner, Robinson easily works past arm-tackles and has a strong lower-half that defenders bounce off of. He’s sure-handed in traffic and extremely effective on bootlegs with a tight end delay. He’s got Power-Five size already and should be a really interesting prospect for college coaches as we enter spring recruiting. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13313676/614bddf102b1a31a5485cae1" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Lawson Maag, 6’3", 200, Columbus Grove</strong></em> A high-volume blocker with extensive knee drive on tape. Maag plays with an exceedingly high motor on both sides of the ball and will give you all he’s got from whistle to whistle. He has the speed to work vertical concepts and impressive burst after the catch. If Lawson adds twenty pounds this off-season, I think it could do wonders for him in the recruiting process on either side of the football. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9612252/61a6b700a018c60b24b5e0a6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>