2024 Rankings Update: Tight End

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">As we head into the 2023 high school football season, we have updated our rankings for the incoming senior class. Now that these rankings are published, I will be taking an in-depth look at each position for the class of 2024. After covering the quarterback, running back, and wide receiver positions, I will wrap up the skill players on the offensive side of the ball by focusing on the top tight ends in the state of Kentucky in the class of 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["418830"],"_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='418830' first='Gavin' last='Chadwell'] came into this past season as the top tight end in the class and has continued to show that he deserves that ranking. Chadwell played in five games in 2022 for Knox Central before transferring to North Laurel where he played basketball this season and will join the football team for his senior year. In those five games, Chadwell made his presence felt, catching 31 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown. He is a big, athletic target that can line up all over the formation on offense. Chadwell runs routes like a receiver and has a high catch radius. After the catch, he has the speed to pick up extra yards and has the strength to break tackles in the open field without losing stride. Gavin currently holds offers from Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 5 caliber tight end.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["653367"],"_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='653367' first='Willie' last='Rodriguez'] is a player that has truly made a name for himself over the past year. He finished his junior year with 14 receptions for 295 yards and five touchdowns in just six games. Rodriguez has shown the versatility to line up both as a true tight end on the end of the line of scrimmage and in the slot. He has the speed to pose as a vertical threat down the seam but can also run a full route tree. Rodriguez also has a high catch radius and is very dangerous after the catch. Willie has been reeling in Division I interest, currently holding 21 offers, and I believe that  list will continue to grow as he is a Power 5 caliber tight end.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["381929"],"_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='381929' first='Will' last='Rich'] is a tight end that was high on our radar coming into this past season that continued to impress. He played a big role in the Eagles' high-powered offense, finishing his junior year with 10 receptions for 143 yards and four touchdowns. Rich is a very impressive blocker. He does a great job of getting inside position with his hands and driving his man down the field to create a running lane for the ball carrier. Rich also does a good job of picking up blocks in the open field. As a pass catcher, Rich has the speed to serve as a vertical threat down the seam but can also run a variety of different routes. While Rich doesn't currently hold any offers, I expect some to come his way going into his senior year as he has the talent to play at the next level and has been receiving a lot of interest from college coaches.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["675970"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='675970' first='Jaylen' last='Berry'] is a tight end that grabbed my attention this past season. He had a strong junior year, catching 16 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Berry is a dangerous threat in the passing game as he is basically a big slot receiver at times. He has the speed to pose as a vertical threat and has very reliable hands. Berry also uses his speed to get up the field and pick up yards after the catch. He is also a very reliable blocker in the run game. He is a very physical blocker, showing the ability to serve as a lead blocker and destroy any defender in his path. Jaylen doesn't currently hold any offers but has received a nice amount of college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["675971"],"_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":"Rounding out our top five tight ends in the class of 2024 is [player_tooltip player_id='675971' first='Grady' last='Reynolds'] from Ryle. Reynolds jumped onto our radar this past season as he caught 23 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. He has shown a lot of versatility with the ability to line up as a tight end on the end of the line of scrimmage, in the slot, and as an H-Back. In the passing game, Reynolds is a very impressive route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. He also has very reliable hands and is able to use his speed to turn screens and short passes into big gains. Reynolds is also an impressive blocker. He comes off the line of scrimmage with a sense of urgency and runs his feet through contact to drive his man down the field. Grady doesn't currently hold any offers but should be on the radar of college programs as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6412519e3095d"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Other Tight Ends to Watch:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='313675' first='Tanner' last='Pedroche'] (Lexington Christian Academy) - #6 TE/116 overall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='418833' first='Bryce' last='Hamon'] (Great Crossing)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='418832' first='Zach' last='Hohman'] (Oldham County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->