2024 and 2025 Tight Ends to Know About in Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tight ends have gone through some of the greatest evolutions that football has ever seen. From being known as extra offensive linemen to potentially being a receiving threat, tight ends have slowly become a staple in most offenses we see today. Having said that, here are some of the best tight ends in the state of Illinois in the class of 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271314"],"_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":"Marian Central Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='271314' first='Christian' last='Bentancur'] (Class of 2024) has made a name for himself after a strong showing in 2022. The 6'4 Clemson commit proves to have the size and athleticism to contribute to any offense in a major way. With impressive route-running capability and crispy breaks in and out of routes, Christain looks to be a handful for whoever is covering him. Christain also looks to show a lot of strength in open-field blocking. As he stalks his target, he does a great job of maintaining body position before locking into his assignment. Christain is one of the top tight ends in this class, I am sure that he will continue to build on his accomplishments so far with an outstanding senior year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["130225"],"_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":"Jacob's very own [player_tooltip player_id='130225' first='Grant' last='Stec'] (Class of 2024) just might be one of the more popular names surrounding the tight end position right now. The recent Wisconsin Badger commit measures to be about 6'6 and weighs 235 pounds. Grant is a versatile athlete who can make big plays in line or split out. Not only is he an outstanding receiver, but matches his talents on the run with some devastating blocking as well. With him being able to do just about everything on the football field, Grant is an absolute nightmare to prepare for defensively. Grant also seems to be one of those players who gives everything he has, even without the ball in his hands. With some impressive downfield blocks showcased, Grant seems to have sprung several big plays on the football field. With everything that I have seen from him, it is clear that the Badgers got a baller coming in for them in the class of 2024. Very excited to see what Grant can do in his senior year and beyond.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["161210"],"_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='161210' first='Luke' last='Johnsen'] (Class of 2024) of Geneseo High School is another tight end to keep a close eye on this off-season. The big 6'4 and 260-pound athlete is a proven playmaker who has been instrumental in his team's success recently. From what I have seen from Luke, it is clear that he is an absolute bully off of the ball. Having watched him fly off the ball and open up running lanes, Luke should be recognized as a natural run blocker. Luke is also a complete mismatch in space. If he is out running a route, there are not many other athletes that compete for the ball with him. With that, Luke does a great job releasing on short routes and has the hands to complete any pass that comes his way. From what I have seen from Luke, it is clear that he can truly do it all. I am excited to watch him ball out as we get closer to the 2023 football season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["271816"],"_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":"Coming out of St, Charles North High School, [player_tooltip player_id='271816' first='Jake' last='Furtney'] (Class of 2024) is another big tight end to keep a lookout for. The big 6'4 tight end seems to have a sneaky athleticism about him that leads to big plays on the football field. When he is out on a route, Jake moves with intention as he works to find an open window in coverage. When he is targeted for a pass, Jake has the ball skills to bring the ball in almost every time. Jake is also a very physical blocker, whether he is in line and blocking defensive linemen or split out and blocking linebackers. Jake has an incredibly impressive highlight tape and has shown to be one of the best on the field. I am looking to see what the 2023 football season has in store for Jake, big things are coming for him.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["354316"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Glenbrook North's [player_tooltip player_id='354316' first='Patrick' last='Schaller'] (Class of 2024) is another tight end to get excited about as we head into the 2023 football season. Standing at 6'6, Patrick is a huge target that can get an offensive moving. Patrick seems to be one of the twitchiest tight ends in this group and excels in running and completing quick and intermediate routes. On the other side of the tight-end spectrum, Patrick is also a strong and physical blocker that allows his teammates to find more yards whenever he is called to do so. Overall, it is clear that Patrick is one of the more well-rounded tight ends in the class of 2024. From what I can tell, the Northwestern Wildcats landed a big-time tight end who is going to do some big things in the future.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["330456"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='330456' first='Ryan' last='Mascari'] (Class of 2025) is another tight end to get an early jump on in the recruiting process. The big 6'4, 230-pound Nequa Valley product has put on a strong varsity showing in just his sophomore year. Ryan has the perfect combination of speed and strength to make him an absolute nightmare to prepare for. Out on routes, Ryan excels in just about any concept and has devastating big pay potential. In the trenches, Ryan is a solid blocker on the run and has no problem setting the edge in the run game. From what I have seen from Ryan so far, it is clear that he is going to be one of the best in his class. With incredible upside potential, there is no telling where he may end up down the road.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","fullHeight":false,"anchor":"acf-block-640285890e43a"} /-->