2024’s Most Reliable Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All across football, the tight end position is making a comeback. Offenses emphasize getting the tight end involved early and often. Today, we will look at some of the Class of 2024's best tight ends. These prospects are versatile players who can help take their offenses to new heights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='141104' first='Tysen' last='Smith'], 6'4, 220 pounds, Bloomington South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading off our list today is Bloomington South's two-way playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='141104' first='Tysen' last='Smith']. Smith can dominate the game as a tight end and linebacker. Starting with the offensive side of the ball. Smith completed his junior year having corralled 21 catches for 197 yards. He snared a pair of touchdown catches. Smith can provide a spark defensively as well. He posted 28 tackles in 2022, with 11 solo tackles. Smith added three tackles-for-loss and two sacks. He hurried the quarterback five times while snagging two interceptions and defending against one pass. His ability to make plays offensively and defensively would make him a valuable prospect at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='109613' first='Aidan' last='Steinfeldt'], 6'2, 225 pounds, Bloomington North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tight end is always supposed to be a security blanket for the quarterback. The QB needs to know that he can always look for the tight end to pick up yardage. That description fits Bloomington North's [player_tooltip player_id='109613' first='Aidan' last='Steinfeldt'] to a tee. He is accustomed to seeing the ball come his way often and picking up the chunks of yards necessary to keep the offense moving. An indication of this is that he averaged over nine yards-per-reception a season ago. Overall, he amassed 549 receiving yards on 59 catches. He reached pay dirt nine times. If Steinfeldt can put together another solid year in 2023, Bloomington North could be in serious business.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='541866' first='Ethan' last='Pierce'], 6'0, 200 pounds, Milan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is difficult for coaches and media alike to not notice a player who gives good contributions in more than one phase. [player_tooltip player_id='541866' first='Ethan' last='Pierce'] is that guy for Milan, doing a lot to elevate the team on both sides of the ball. At tight end, Pierce brought in 17 passes for 240 receiving yards and a score. Defensively, he was dominant all year. He came up with 87 tackles and an impressive mark of 42 solo tackles. He was in the backfield so often he might as well have just started the play there. With 16 tackles-for-loss and half-a-dozen sacks, Pierce seemingly new the playbooks of his opponents. Add in four quarterback hurries and you have a game wrecker. Pierce had two passes defensed, and he forced two fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='542020' first='Nathan' last='Dickenson'], 6'4, 205 pounds, Centerville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier, we discussed the importance of the tight end for keeping the offense rolling, and the role they play in helping out the quarterback. When Centerville needs a play to be made, they can turn to [player_tooltip player_id='542020' first='Nathan' last='Dickenson'] to get them going. Dickenson caught 31 passes for a tick over 500 receiving yards. He averaged 16.3 yards-per-catch. On average, he chipped in over 50 receiving yards-a-game. Dickenson can finish drives as well. He had four touchdown receptions during his junior campaign. Do not be surprised to see [player_tooltip player_id='542020' first='Nathan' last='Dickenson'] elevate up the state rankings by the end of the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->