Inside The Rankings: #TN2023 Tight End Breakdown

Inside The Rankings: #TN2023 Tight End Breakdown Our latest 2023 rankings came out this past week, so that means it’s time to look deeper into these rankings and break them down, position by position! Here we start with a deep and talented tight end class that has several under the radar college prospects that could become breakout stars throughout the upcoming summer camp season. 1. (TE) [player_tooltip player_id="102275" first="Ty" last="Lockwood"] (6’4 230) - Independence #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 1st, 2nd Overall - Lockwood is an elite prospect that is committed to Ohio St. and is in the handful of players that could step onto campus next Fall and compete for immediate playing time. The Eagles star pass catcher is polished in every way possible along with having the maturity to take on everything in college thrown his way and excel in a major way. Lockwood is a physical, technique savvy guy that becomes a mismatch problem for defenders as he has the ability to line out wide and work down the field. He is also a strong blocker up front, so this Middle Tennessee product brings tons of the tools to the football field that screams upside and future All-Big 10 honors. 2. (TE) [player_tooltip player_id="102283" first="Ben" last="Marshall"] (6’5 220) - Blackman #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 2nd, 23rd Overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-280272" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/bmarshall4-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Sporting nice size, length and athleticism, Marshall is one of the top overall pass catchers coming out of the in-state 2023 class and is poised right now to find himself playing next Fall on the Division 1 level. This Murfreesboro area tight end sports multiple Power Five, D1 offers at the moment and could be adding more throughout the coming months as more college coaches work with him during camp season. Marshall can be a mismatch problem for defensive backs as he can line out wide and work down the field as a deep ball threat. He also has a big radius that is appealing for quarterbacks to throw to. Marshall has big upside and potential, so whoever he lands with has a guy that is far from reaching his maximum capabilities. 3. (TE) [player_tooltip player_id="150329" first="Braiden" last="Staten"] (6’6 225) - Green Hill #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 3rd, 48th Overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-308559" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/bstaten-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> - Staten jumped on the scene last Fall as a big man with the college size and physical traits coaches look for but was unpolished and still learning about himself and the game. Now, this Hawks tight end has put in a strong offseason thus far developing his speed and overall athleticism which in turn has made him a legit D1 recruit. Staten has received several big time offers thus far and is picking up steam on the recruiting trail as more schools are showing interest. The biggest trait that stands out about Staten is big, wide catching radius that looks very appealing to quarterbacks. He can also move too, so expect this guy’s stock to only continue to rise over the coming months. 4. (TE) [player_tooltip player_id="102346" first="Donivon" last="Thomas"] (6’5 225) - Brainerd #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 4th, 55th Overall - Possibly the most athletic tight end in this state could be Thomas and he currently sits way under the radar when it comes to college interest and offers. The Panthers stud pass catcher sports all the size, athleticism and physical traits you want in a college tight end. Thomas can make all the tough catches as well as be a guy that can be a threat down the field. He is still a bit raw when it comes to his overall skill set but the guy is ultra talented with a high ceiling. Look out for this guy to become a breakout star when he hits the camp season this summer and watch his recruitment explode. 5. (TE) [player_tooltip player_id="222566" first="Jahlin" last="Osborne"] (6’4 220) - Coffee Co. Central #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 5th, 86th Overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-299822" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/jahosborne2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Osborne is a little known prospect right now but could be a guy to watch out for down the road. This is an athletic pass catcher that can run and do a variety of things for an offense. He sports a great frame to put on added weight along with long arms and the lower body agility that fits well on the collegiate level. Osborne has tremendous upside as a guy that can line up with his hand in the dirt or push out wide and defeat defensive backs in open space or down the field. The college interest level for Osborne is minimal right now but he has the talent and potential that could open some eyes over the coming months. 6. (TE) [player_tooltip player_id="205277" first="Drew" last="Evans"] (6’5 220) - Dyer Co. #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 6th, 98th Overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-308562" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/devans-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Many around the state or scouting scene don’t know too much about Evans right now but this is a big dude with strong hands and college upside. Coming from the far corner of West Tennessee, Evans brings a lot of strong tools to the football field that translate to the next level but of course continued work must be done. The Choctaws senior pass catcher has a big, wide radius that he uses well to shield off defenders but also sports the speed and athleticism to be a deep threat for his quarterback. Evans is also a strong and willing blocker that plays with nice bend and balance. This is an under the radar guy that would be worth it for college coaches to start recruiting.   Just Outside The Top 150 [player_tooltip player_id="273389" first="Cason" last="Christian"] (6’5 210) - Volunteer: 7th Ranked Tight End - This Falcons tight end is tall & long with the ability to beat defenders down the field; Solid upside here with Christian but more weight and size must be added. [player_tooltip player_id="201093" first="Dalton" last="Restelli"] (6’4 215) - Baylor: 8th Ranked Tight End - Restelli is a sure handed guy that can line up in a variety of ways on offense; He is coming off a season ending injury, so he may not be at full strength until the fall season. [player_tooltip player_id="102280" first="Mena" last="Mannan"] (6’4 225) - Franklin: 9th Ranked Tight End - Much like Restelli above, Mannan is coming off a season ending injury as well but sports the size, physicality and strong pass catching hands to reach the collegiate level. [player_tooltip player_id="237063" first="Hudson" last="Cepparulo"] (6’4 210) - Henry Co.: 10th Ranked Tight End - A two sport star for the Patriots (football/baseball), Cepparulo is an unpolished but talented tight end that could make it to the college gridiron if dedicated more time to football (Possible college baseball guy) [player_tooltip player_id="150465" first="Caleb" last="McGee"] (6’4 220) - Hardin Co.: 11th Ranked Tight End - McGee is one of the best blocking tight ends within this in-state ‘23 class; He also has the ability to be a deadly intermediate pass catcher that constantly moves the chains. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-308563" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/drestelli-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />