Elite TE Prospects: 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a closer look at a few standout tight ends from around the DMV. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'4 230 TE - [player_tooltip player_id='371295' first='Connor' last='Gaines'] - Gilman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gilman Greyhounds are primed for a bounce back season in the MIAA this Fall. Their top tight end, [player_tooltip player_id='371295' first='Connor' last='Gaines'], is set to return from injury, and he's an absolute game changer with or without the ball in his hands. Gaines is a phenomenal pass catcher who's able to create space for himself, but he also imposes his will blocking on the offensive line as well. His presence up-front will really open up the Greyhounds' running game, and it will also put him in better positions to make catches out of the play action pass. I believe that [player_tooltip player_id='371295' first='Connor' last='Gaines'] will have his most dominant season yet in 2023, and I wouldn't be surprised if he earns All-MIAA honors of some kind at the tight end position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/connorgaines__/status/1550601687433347072?s=20">https://twitter.com/connorgaines__/status/1550601687433347072?s=20</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'5 205 TE - [player_tooltip player_id='788474' first='Matthew' last='Ogunniyi'] - C.H. Flowers – Rutgers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3 star recruit [player_tooltip player_id='788474' first='Matthew' last='Ogunniyi'] recently announced his commitment to Rutgers, and there's no question that the Scarlet Knights should be completely ecstatic! Ogunniyi was an integral part in achieving Flowers' glorious 13-1 overall record last Fall. His athletic ability is very evident on every snap, and he might have the pound for pound best route running ability that I've ever seen. He's also an extremely efficient pass catcher who accumulates a ton of yards after contact. Ogunniyi only hauled-in 8 receptions in 2022, but he scored 5 TDs with those receptions on top of 286 receiving yards. He had offers from a handful of elite programs before his commitment, such as Texas A&amp;M and JMU, therefore it's clear that Rutgers made a fantastic decision recruiting him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16133131/638bece46e8b7b0b881f455f">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16133131/638bece46e8b7b0b881f455f</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'0 200 LB/TE - [player_tooltip player_id='358648' first='Marquis' last='Watson'] - Seneca Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='358648' first='Marquis' last='Watson'] is the most dominant two way player on this list, and, as well as a pass catcher, he's also an elite linebacker who earned MCPS 4A Honorable Mention at the position last year. His physicality really shows itself in his blocking on the offensive line too. Watson has incendiary closing speed on defense, and it translates very well on offense with the ball in his hands. He possesses next level instincts and tackling ability, which, in tandem, make him an absolute ball hawk. Finishing the season with a 9-3 overall record, the Screamin' Eagles had a very successful season in 2022, and I believe that [player_tooltip player_id='358648' first='Marquis' last='Watson'] will lead them to another winning record in 2023. He's currently drawing a lot of interest from Villanova and Georgetown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/WVC0UZtQa4">https://t.co/WVC0UZtQa4</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'7 220 TE - [player_tooltip player_id='159341' first='Luca' last='Puccinelli'] - Benedictine - Wake Forest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='159341' first='Luca' last='Puccinelli'] is the quintessential tight end, and he cemented his power five conference ability when he committed to Wake Forest a few months ago. Puccinelli has every single trait that you would want in a TE, and he has put all of them on full display throughout his career. His humongous wingspan and good hands makes him unstoppable in the short passing game, and he's super productive in the open field after contact. Puccinelli is an all-around phenomenal athlete who also thrived on the basketball court for his Cadets this past Winter. It's abundantly clear that he has an extremely bright future ahead of him at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons program continues to climb the ACC recruitment rankings with elite signings like TE [player_tooltip player_id='159341' first='Luca' last='Puccinelli'] of Benedictine!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15598432/6367d55c2ab0b80974a0283e">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15598432/6367d55c2ab0b80974a0283e</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 5'10 180 WR/TE/DB - Jack Zamer - St. Albans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jack Zamer of STA is an immensely versatile player, and he has thrived at as many as three positions during his high school career. Zamer is particularly effective as a pass catcher, and, whether at receiver or tight end, he always makes an impact on the game in some type of way. On offense, he hauled-in 503 total yards with 6 TDs in 2022, and, on defense, he recorded a whopping 4 INTs with 63 total tackles. It's safe to say that Jack Zamer is an extremely productive player in the secondary on both sides of the ball. He currently has interest from Georgetown and Richmond, as well as a few Ivey League programs- Brown and Yale. My prediction is that Zamer earns All-IAC honors this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights:<a href="https://t.co/k5NpoZClmd"> https://t.co/k5NpoZClmd</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->