Who are Nevada’s Most Underrated 2024 Tight Ends?
There are some highly touted pass catchers in Nevada’s 2024 class. However, I am surprised at the depth of the tight end position in the Great Basin. I believe coaches have identified some of the top talent in the state,…
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Continue ReadingThere are some highly touted pass catchers in Nevada’s 2024 class. However, I am surprised at the depth of the tight end position in the Great Basin. I believe coaches have identified some of the top talent in the state, but there are still some good seniors at the tight end position who have gone relatively unnoticed. Below, I go into my evaluations on these soon-to-be coveted prospects.
Kyle Koontz Kyle Koontz 6’4″ | 225 lbs | TE Douglas | 2024 State NV is a two-way prospect out of Douglas High School. Kyle has most recently visited Cal-Berkeley, Eastern Washington, and the University of Idaho. He also has attended camps at USC, UCLA, UC-Davis, and Cal Poly Tech just this month. I would expect Kyle to receive his first offer from a school in the region before 2024 gets here.
Kyle shows his mismatch potential extending overhead in traffic to complete tough catches. Good contested catch ability and strength in his hands shows getting hammered on slant routes near the goal line. Kyle’s powerful drive, strong latch, and physicality are ideal tools for a Y tight end run blocking in college.
Peter Anderson
Peter Anderson
Peter Anderson is a relatively unknown prospect out of Reno. The experienced tight end looks comfortable as an H tight end or a number three receiver in the slot. Expect the versatile tight end’s recruitment to heat up before his senior season is over.
Peter’s combination of next level size and power shows dominating defensive backs in the slot as a lead blocker for wide receiver screens. Peter shows good contested catch ability after leaving himself exposed at the catchpoint when extending to reel in off-target throws. Size, tracking ability, and athleticism at the catchpoint highlight Peter’s mismatch potential at the next level.
Carter Eck Carter Eck 6’2″ | 215 lbs | DL Bishop Manogue | 2024 State NV is a two-way player for Bishop Manogue who best projects to tight end at the next level. With some heaviliy recruited teammates, I am surprised to see Carter not receive more regional attention. Expect that to change before it comes time for Carter to graduate.
Carter shows good length and athleticism adjusting at the catchpoint. Flashes of separation ability and a fluid change of direction shows creating space when running underneath routes. Carter shows a good base, strong latch, and solid effort when blocking inline or leading the way as an H back. Strength and toughness show in Carter’s finish as a ball carrier and ability to grab tough catches in traffic.
I recently wrote about Anthony Comba Anthony Comba 6’5″ | 200 lbs | TE Reed | 2024 State NV in a 2024 defensive line article of mine. This time around I evaluated Anthony on the offensive side of the ball. I think there are coaches out there who envision Anthony as a tight end; We should expect Anthony’s recruitment as an offensive prospect to heat up as he enters his senior year.
Anthony’s quickness and acceleration shows exploding off the line of scrimmage and gaining separation in a hurry as a Y tight end. Toughness shows in Anthony’s finish and contested catch ability, but leg drive after being contacted as a ball carrier highlights Anthony’s college ready strength. Anthony’s blocking ability shows in effort and good power that leaves linebackers in the dirt as a lead blocking H back. Anthony’s potential to be a versatile “move” tight end in college shows in his combination of strength, length, balance, strong hands, and athleticism at the catch point.
Cade Keith Cade Keith 6’5″ | 230 lbs | TE Faith Lutheran | 2024 State NV is a three-sport athlete out of Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas. Cade received an academic offer from Mount Union in January. He recently has visited camps and junior days at Arizona, UNLV, and the University of San Diego. Look for schools in the region to heat up their recruitment of Cade before 2023 comes to an end.
Cade’s next level power shows flattening defenders as a lead blocking H back. Cade’s athleticism gets displayed as a ball carrier in space and adjusting at the catchpoint. Cade flashes next level separation ability in his quick release off the line and a fluid change of direction that allows him to create space at the top of routes.
Preston Chamberlin Preston Chamberlin 6’3″ | 220 lbs | TE Elko | 2024 State NV is one of the top recruits out of Elko, Nevada. Preston holds offers from Montana Western and Eastern Oregon Universities. He has also visited Portland State University and been invited to the College of Idaho in the past. Don’t be surprised if he receives more scholarship offers before his senior season is finished.
Preston displays quickness separating from zone defenders underneath. Although he escapes traffic underneath well, next level separation ability shows separating vertically from defensive backs when running corner routes. Athleticism shows adjusting above his head and below his waist to catch off-target passes. Preston’s ideal combination of size and speed for a Y tight end shows aligning as a detached receiver and beating press coverage with quickness to gain vertical separation over smaller defensive backs.
Highlights
Evan Baalbaky Evan Baalbaky 6’3″ | 205 lbs | ATH The Meadows School | 2024 State NV may be the most underrated tight end in Nevada. What surprises me is he has no regional offers, according to Twitter, despite winning the 2A state championship in 2022. Watch for Evan to have a meteoric rise up the 2024 pass catcher ranks this fall.
Evan’s next level explosiveness shows accelerating up the sideline for touchdowns after completing easy underneath drag routes. Good length, strong hands, and athletic ability show adjusting overhead to grab contested balls over smaller defensive backs. Evan’s separation ability shows winning vertically versus defensive backs in off zone coverage. Next level power and good effort shows dominating defenders when blocking as a slot receiver in the run game.