Redzone Spotlight: Notable Tight End Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As spring practices emerge for high schools around Florida, I wanted to highlight some of the notable risers from the Polk, Orlando, and North/Southwest Florida areas who can play at the next level and deserve the spotlight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to any other versatile position group on the gridiron the tight end position has equally evolved to fit multiple offensive schemes. Playing tight end at a high level requires athletes to be able to block and protect the quarterback during passing plays or open holes for the running back. More importantly, to be successful in today's game, tight ends must act as an extra offensive linemen and be able to line up on the outside to provide a receiving threat<strong>. </strong>This can be difficult for high school recruits to figure out the fundamentals of the position but this group of talented prospects shine bright among others in their respective position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As noted frequently, <strong>Prep Redzone Florida</strong> aims to provide adequate coverage on all athletes for college coaches At All Levels and readers to evaluate. Let's get into Part II of some of the stats, Hudl films, and recent offers from some of the rising running back prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333146' first='Colton' last='Heinrich'] | Class of 2024 | Cardinal Gibbons | @HeinrichColton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>6'4, 230</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2022 stats: 36 receptions, 464 yards, 3 TD</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Heinrich is currently ranked the #38 tight end in Florida and has been stamped as one of the top rising prospects in the country. He has a great frame that has been displayed in the blocking game but his ability to find holes in the zone and create separation in the passing game is most intriguing. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plays the game with physicality and intelligence. Will be productive at the Power 5 level with more weight added and reps/experience during his senior season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offers: Florida, Ohio State, Texas, LSU, Stanford, Georgia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudl: <a href="https://t.co/u20YJAuqyG">https://t.co/u20YJAuqyG</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949258' first='Benjamin' last='Blackburn'] | Class of 2024 | Columbus | @BenjiBlackburn </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>6'6, 230lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2022 Stats: 6 GP, 10 receptions, 185 yards, 18.5 YPC</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gets in done on and off the field. An academic scholar in the classroom with a 5.48 GPA heading into his senior year. Held that GPA while helping Columbus finish 14-1 and earning the 2022 FL 4M State Championship. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Blackburn is currently ranked #23 in the nation via MaxPreps. Has a good frame at 6-foot-6 with time to add muscle in the weight room. A true receiving threat in the zone coverage with the ability to create separation with good route running and football IQ. Also adds a decent blocking component for Columbus in the pass and run game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offers: Virginia Tech, Iowa State, Duke, UCF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14626994/Benjamin-Blackburn">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14626994/Benjamin-Blackburn</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944686' first='Guiseann' last='Mirtil'] | 2024 | TE/OLB | Winter Haven | @guiseannmirtil | 4.3 GPA&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>6'3, 220</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2022 Stats: 30 receptions, 600+ total yards, 7 TD | 44 total tackles, 10.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 INT</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mirtil is one of the hottest rising prospect recruits in the Polk County area and is someone coaches in the state of Florida need to become familiar with similar to the previous recruits listed. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Versatile athlete that's dominant in the passing game because of his sure hands, explosive route running, and big-play RAC ability with the ball in his hands. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offers: Navy, Arkansas State, USF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15464815/63680e8ada515c0c204bd44a">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15464815/63680e8ada515c0c204bd44a</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Omari Mixon | Class of 2024 | Lakeland | @omarimixon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>6'3, 210</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2022 stats: 10 receptions, 137 yards, 3 TD</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mixon is a two-sport athlete playing both football &amp; lacrosse and helped Lakeland High finish undefeated with the 4S state championship back in Polk County. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Decent route running abilities and understands what it takes to be a true blocking piece for an offensive scheme. Look out for Mixon to have a bigger role during the fall season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offers: Rhode Island, Charlotte </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15104695/omari-mixon">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15104695/omari-mixon</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"19px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:19px">Next-Up List: College coaches, get to know these three names. Two are long &amp; athletic but all three should have productive seasons for their respective high schools. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Dawon Reid | Class of 2024 | Lake Region | @dawon3k</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>5'9, 220</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats: 25 receptions, 411 yards, 4 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15990713/Dawon-Reid">Dawon Reid - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1550594' first='Phillip' last='DeFelice'] | Class of 2025 | Pine Forest | @PhillipDeFelice&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>6'6, 230</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hudl: </strong><a href="https://t.co/1NvkNg6P7O"><strong>https://t.co/1NvkNg6P7O</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Charlie' last='Stone'] | Class of 2026 | Canterbury Prep Fort Myers | @cstone_80</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>6'3, 205</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/cstone_80/status/1620845551570001920?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ"><strong>https://twitter.com/cstone_80/status/1620845551570001920?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->