2023 Final Position Rankings: Tight End

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">With a majority of the class of 2023 already committing or signing to college programs, I have released my final rankings for the class. As these rankings have been finalized, I have decided to break them down by position. With that being said, I will kick things off on the offensive side of the ball. After already covering the quarterback, running back, and wide receiver positions, here are my final 2023 tight end rankings for the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["385960"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='385960' first='Thomas' last='Howard'] came into this season as our top ranked tight end in the class of 2023 in Kentucky and he proved to be worthy of that ranking. Howard played a key role in the Broncos' 5A State Championship run, finishing his senior season with 19 receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He poses as a dangerous vertical threat down the seam and has very reliable hands. Howard also shows the ability to run a variety of routes and make plays after the catch. As a blocker, Howard plays with a ton of physicality. He does a great job of driving his man down the field and walling the defender off to create a running lane for the ball carrier. Howard is committed to play baseball at Louisville but could easily be a Power 5 tight end if he were to have a sudden change of heart","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["385951"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='385951' first='Noah' last='Meyers'] is a player that was on my radar coming into this season and truly impressed me during his senior season. He finished the season with 26 receptions for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Meyers played in a hybrid wide receiver/tight end role this season where he showed the ability to find success out of the slot and on the outside. In the vertical passing game, he has the speed to run by opposing defenders to create separation. Meyers also has a very high catch radius, showing the ability to use his length and athleticism to go up and catch passes at their highest point. I also really like what Meyers has shown as a blocker. He has shown the ability to drive his man out of the picture but also does a great job of positioning himself to wall his defender off to create a running lane for the ball carrier. Noah is committed to Western Kentucky where he will play tight end in a pass-heavy offense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["385963"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='385963' first='Grant' last='Scott'] is another tight end that I had high on my radar coming into this season that continued to impress. Scott had a solid senior year, playing a key role in Pikeville's 1A State Championship run. He is one of the best blocking tight ends that I saw this season as he played a huge role in Pikeville's dominant run game. Scott is a physical blocker, exploding out of his stance and driving his man off the line of scrimmage. He finishes his blocks through the whistle, resulting in several pancake blocks. Scott also does a great job of getting up to the second level and picking up blocks in open space. While Pikeville wasn't particularly known for their passing attack, Scott also showed the ability to pose as a threat as a receiver, catching 17 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns this season. Grant is committed to the University of Pikeville where I see him being a very productive tight end.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["125870"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The fourth and final tight end that cracked my Top 200 players in the class of 2023 in the state of Kentucky is Scott High School's [player_tooltip player_id='125870' first='Nolan' last='Hunter']. Hunter made the transition from wide receiver to a true tight end and thrived in his new role this season. He used his time spent as a receiver to his advantage, showing impressive route running skills from the tight end position. Hunter also showed that he has the speed to pose as a threat in the vertical passing game. After the catch, Hunter used his speed to turn up the field and pick up yards after the catch but was also a very hard runner, breaking tackles without losing stride. Hunter is also a very reliable blocker, playing with a ton of physicality, showing the ability to pick up blocks in the open field and drive defenders out of the picture. Nolan currently holds offers from Union College, Lindsey Wilson, Walsh University, Thomas More, and Findlay, and I can see him becoming a very productive tight end for any of those programs.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e6aec25800a"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Other Tight Ends Worth Mentioning:<br></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">[player_tooltip player_id='598871' first='Brody' last='Perkins'] (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">[player_tooltip player_id='509755' first='Steven' last='Banks'] (Belfry)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">[player_tooltip player_id='385961' first='Travis' last='Grant'] (Madison Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">[player_tooltip player_id='340044' first='Cole' last='Burch'] (Daviess County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">[player_tooltip player_id='385962' first='Desmond' last='Davie'] (Campbell County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">[player_tooltip player_id='339736' first='Bryce' last='Hoskins'] (Breathitt County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->