The Watch List Series: Class of ‘24 Part IV

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An official date has been set for the next Class of '24 Player Rankings update. In less than a week, folks can expect to see more than 25 prospects make their debut as part of the May update. A majority of this incoming group has already been highlighted throughout the spring, so we'll hold off on revealing the final additions until next week. But before the rankings do drop, the <em>Watch List</em> is featuring one last group of prospects that are locks for the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three prospects featured in this fourth <em>Watch List</em> for the Class of '24 share something in common. They're each small-town tight ends with the potential to blossom into quality pass catchers at the next-level. Traditionally, the Sunflower State hasn't been a hotbed for tight end prospects. However, these three and the rest of the prospects from the position group are poised to reverse that trend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='813413' first='Cooper' last='D'Albini']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Spring Hill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe first tight end to start us off is [player_tooltip player_id='813413' first='Cooper' last='D'Albini'] of Spring Hill. Out of the three, D'Albini is probably the most raw at the position, but that shouldn't stray recruiters from him. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound prospect displayed some encouraging signs during his junior year. D'Albini possesses the focus to haul in contested passes, and he excels at fooling defenders on play action. He was primarily used as a blocker due to the Broncos' run-heavy offense in 2022. But, this gave him the opportunity to prove he's a capable blocker, as he assisted the Broncos' offensive line in producing over 2,400 yards on the ground. He's received slight interest from programs such as u003cemu003eBenedictine Collegeu003c/emu003e and u003cemu003eSouth Dakota Stateu003c/emu003e, and with a big summer, D'Albini's recruitment could seriously start to heat up.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["827347"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere were quite a few prospects that made statements this past 7-On-7 season. One player in particular was [player_tooltip player_id='827347' first='Cole' last='Webber'] of Ellsworth. Webber essentially went viral for his highlight worthy catches during competition in March; making a legitimate case to be the most sure-handed tight end in the class. His play this spring gave him the recognition he truly deserved, because he didn't receive enough after his impressive 2022 campaign. During his junior year, Webber hauled in 29 catches for 541 yards and 13 touchdowns, resulting in a u003cemu003e1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e Team 2A All-Stateu003c/emu003e selection. He's a prospect trending in the right direction, and programs at the next-level are taking note. Webber currently holds an offer from u003cemu003eFriends Universityu003c/emu003e, and has received interest from u003cemu003eButler Community Collegeu003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eNew Mexico Stateu003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eNorthwest Missouri Stateu003c/emu003e, and u003cemu003ePittsburg Stateu003c/emu003e.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["827346"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAnother prospect that benefited from the 7-On-7 circuit this spring was [player_tooltip player_id='827346' first='Maddox' last='Waters'] of Beloit. After primarily being featured as a blocker last fall, Waters has been able to showcase his receiving skills over the past few months. Much like he did during the '22 campaign, Waters proved to be a vertical threat down the seam, while also presenting a big target over the middle and in the redzone. One of his best attributes is his release off the line. This helps him get initial separation from defenders, and he then proceeds to accelerate past them. Waters' recruitment has taken off this spring, as he's received a number of Junior Day and summer camp invitations from multiple NAIA and D-II programs. As of right now he holds offers from u003cemu003eBethel Collegeu003c/emu003e and u003cemu003eNorthwestern Oklahoma Stateu003c/emu003e.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646540874583e"} /-->