#NationalTightEndsDay – 5 Playmaking TEs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In honor of one of the biggest national holidays of the year, National Tight Ends Day, I wanted to do a quick feature on some of the top uncommitted tight end prospects in the senior and junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy National Tight Ends Day to some of the grittiest players on the field!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6355b4128997d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["340475"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ainsworth star [player_tooltip player_id='340475' first='Carter' last='Nelson'] has been a fast-rising prospect with 13 offers from Power 5 schools like Iowa State, Kansas, Penn State, Nebraska, Baylor, Oklahoma, and others, dating back to April. Carter is a 6'5u0022 210 lb playmaker that can produce no matter how you use him. In the Ainsworth offense, Nelson has seen time as a passer, runner, receiver, and a stud on defense as well. Carter has thrown for 663 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 761 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 525 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, 41 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 6 interceptions this season alone. Nonetheless, Carter's most likely college position will be at tight end where he will can take full advantage of his tall, lengthy frame and crazy vertical. His bigger frame and 4.5 speed make him a mismatch nightmare wherever you line him up at. Nelson's play has been a huge factor for Ainsworth's best season and picking up their first playoff win in school history. At 9-0 and still alive in the playoffs, Carter and the Bulldogs can continue to make history.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14581614/Carter-Nelson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Carter83854638" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6355d6d88997f","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14581614/6355693496811803d03a07ea' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635581f289979","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["226961"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":487102,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Bellevue West TE [player_tooltip player_id='226961' first='Cayden' last='Echternach'] is one of the top uncommitted 23 prospects still on the board. With all the firepower on the Thunderbird offense, Echternach hasn't had his number called a ton, but has made the most of his targets. Echternach has 14 receptions for 185 yards and a touchdown through 8 games. Cayden is a big, strong tight end that can be a brutal blocker in the run game or a quick target for QB Kaelin in the middle of the field. One thing people overlook about Cayden is his athleticism and deceptive speed for someone his size. Echternach is a prospect that I believe is still scratching the surface of his potential and could be a massive gem in this class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13282643/Cayden-Echternach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/CaydenEchterna1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6355bf648997e","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13282643/6335fb01ab93fa088cc7f499' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635589c78997a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["227560"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gretna TE [player_tooltip player_id='227560' first='Caleb' last='Schnell'] is one of the more under-recruited prospects in the 2023 class. Caleb has been an incredibly reliable target for QB [player_tooltip player_id='217055' first='Zane' last='Flores'] for the past two seasons. Caleb finished the regular season with his second consecutive 500+ receiving yard season and upped his TDs from 2 last year to 5 this year with a chance to continue adding to those numbers. What I like most about Schnell's game is his toughness, the type of toughness you love to see in a tight end. He can make tough catches through contact, absorb contact when running after the catch, and he's physical with his blocks. Caleb is very underrated at getting open and exploiting holes in the defense. When you watch his tape you can see that he consistently manages to get a step or two on his defender. Caleb is still waiting on his first offer, so he would be a huge steal at this point.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12956396/Caleb-Schnell">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Caleb_Schnell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6355f4c489981","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12956396/633aee1a90fa0c0db855f822' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635589e08997b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["250697"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":487390,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A young TE that people need to be paying attention to is Westside's [player_tooltip player_id='250697' first='Trevor' last='Spady']. Trevor is a great athlete with the frame and size of a tight end but the moves and footwork of a wide receiver. Although he hasn't seen a ton of targets (9 receptions, 104 yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns), Spady has still shown several flashes of the talented player he is. For one, Trevor is a huge asset in the running game as he is a willing, tough blocker that can clear paths for his RB and loves to finish his blocks. Spady is also a threat in the redzone where he can win 50/50 balls with his size, as a matter of fact he hauled in a game-winning redzone touchdown against Millard South recently. Gotta give this dude a look!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13370752/Trevor-Spady" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/tspady13" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6355ec1989980","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13370752/63457a54bd753a0d9cbaa83a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6355b3e78997c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["239985"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the more overlooked tight ends in the state, Lincoln Lutheran's [player_tooltip player_id='239985' first='Jonny' last='Puelz'], quietly finished the regular season in the top 10 for receiving yards. Coming in at #9, [player_tooltip player_id='239985' first='Jonny' last='Puelz'] hauled in 43 receptions for 850 receiving yards and scored 14 touchdowns. His connection with QB [player_tooltip player_id='239989' first='Garret' last='Hoefs'] has turned into one of the best in Class C1, as Puelz has emerged as a security blanket in the passing game. He has great hands that can make catches under pressure (check out his clip below). Jonny's basketball background and size have made him impossible to defend when he elevates for 50/50 balls where he can box out and outjump everyone to the ball. Nice TE prospect with a high ceiling.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9810842/Jonny-Puelz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JonnyPuelz_23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6355f5f489982","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9810842/635403cbf327a40938c17d89' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->