’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class 5A Tight Ends

<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 QBs</a> (scroll down)   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 RBs</a> (scroll down)   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 WRs (scroll down) </a>   IOWA CITY, Iowa – July arrives this weekend, drawing closer the start of the high school football season. And we all know times flies.   I've been highlighting top performers from last season returning in 2023. You can see the links for quarterbacks, running backs and receivers in all seven of the state's classifications listed above.   We've reached the tight end position. Here's the group in Class 5A:   [player_tooltip player_id='212833' first='Chase' last='Schutty'], '24, Ankeny Centennial - Schutty caught 28 balls for 416 yards (14.9 YPR) and two touchdowns as a junior in '22. He's secured some scholarship opportunities from smaller colleges and could add more with another step forward this fall. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13499869/6355582cf327a40938c40d7a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">11th-grade highlights</a> feature an athletic big man with wide receiver skills. He often lines up outside, beating defenders by jumping over them or boxing them out. He adjusts well to the ball as it's in the air. He's definitely a match-up problem.   [player_tooltip player_id='245840' first='Keaton' last='Roskop'], '24, Linn-Mar - The Iowa State commitment chose the Cyclones ahead of reported scholarship offers from Texas A&M, Kansas State and others. Last season, he caught 20 passes for 415 yards (20.8 YPR) and 8 touchdowns. Roskop (6-3, 220) appears to be a complete tight end when <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14760047/63615073b023a10a8caaa528" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watching his junior highlights</a>. He's quick and agile as a receiver. He holds his blocks well and drives opponents into the second level of the defense. He's also an intriguing prospect on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='247968' first='Charlie' last='Cross'], '24, Waukee - Cross (6-1, 195) lists his position as tight end/fullback at the front of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14627158/636312b9ff01a9042c71b673" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights on Hudl</a>. He hauled in 24 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown. He seems to enjoy the game's physicality. It shows whether he's demolishing someone with a block or plowing over an opponent after a reception.   Leo Jones, '24, Des Moines Lincoln - The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Jones caught 11 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown during his junior season in '22. He totaled 43.5 (33 solo) as well. While watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15977787/63713cf2da516e0b5430a1f0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights on his Hudl page</a>, he shows the viewer he's a technically-sound linebacker with physicality. He stands out for bulldozing opponents as a blocker playing in-line. He also looks smooth in running routes and catching the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1238506' first='Cameron' last='Cantonwine'], '26, Ames - Cantonwine (6-1, 180) secured 12 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown as a freshman last fall. He's a fun player to watch. Early on in his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17446488/6400e13e4df64e0b182c0686" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ninth-grade Hudl highlights</a>, he delivers excitement as a kick returner and rushing the ball out of the wildcat formation. He lines up in the slot, in-line and as a halfback. Again, he's electric with the ball in his hands...unless you're playing defense.   Grant Mather, '24, Cedar Rapids Kennedy - With a likely future in baseball, Mather could focus on that this fall instead of putting his body at risk on the gridiron. Should he continue on with football, the Cougars will benefit. There isn't much football film on him, but what there is <a href="https://twitter.com/CRKFootball/status/1560802810211569666?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shows an athletic tight end</a> capable of big plays. He caught six passes for 160 yards and a touchdown last season.   Jake Schulz, '24, Bettendorf - Schulz (6-3, 225) took advantage of his opportunities in '22. He caught only five passes, but he turned them into 144 yards and a score in half of a season. That's a 28.8-yards-per-reception average. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17723822/6448300a041d6f0c54d8e664" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highlights on Hudl</a>, show us a punishing blocker with pretty good technique. He keeps his hands inside, letting them guide the opponent while driving with his legs. He plays with good balance. He begins his routes quickly and shows nice hands.   Editor's Note   I'm adding an eighth tight end to this list because I inadvertently overlooked one of the best ones because he's listed as a WR on his roster...   [player_tooltip player_id='247958' first='Jacob' last='Simpson'], '24, Johnston - Simpson lines up wide and acts like a wide receiver but is being recruited as a tight end. The University of Minnesota commitment also reported scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Illinois, Louisville, Missouri, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt and others. He piled up 40 receptions for 559 yards and 6 touchdowns in '22. He shows during his junior highlights that he's a match-up nightmare. He's a fluid athlete who shines as a receiver but also moves people as a blocker.

'23 Preseason Super 7 QBs (scroll down)