2024 Rankings Update 2.0: Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 high school football season quickly approaching, it is time for some rankings updates! For the state of Kentucky, the updated Top 200 rankings for the talented 2024 class have been posted. With that being said, I will be taking the next couple weeks to breakdown these updated rankings by position. After already covering the quarterback, running back, and wide receiver positions, I will now turn my attention to the top tight ends in the state of Kentucky in the class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["653367"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='653367' first='Willie' last='Rodriguez'] is a player that has quickly made a name for himself over the past couple years. He had an impressive junior year, catching 14 passes for 295 yards and five touchdowns in just six games. Rodriguez has a ton of versatility, showing the ability to line up as a true tight end and in the slot. He is a huge threat in the passing game, showing the ability to serve as a deep threat down the seam while also showing the ability to run a full route tree. Rodriguez also has the athleticism to win jump ball situations and is a strong runner after the catch. Willie is committed to Kentucky where I see him becoming a key piece of their offense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["418830"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='418830' first='Gavin' last='Chadwell'] is a tight end that has been high on our radar for a while now. Before transferring to North Laurel, Gavin played in five games for Knox Central last season, catching 31 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown. He is a big, athletic tight end that has shown the ability to line up all over the formation on offense. Chadwell runs routes like a receiver and has very reliable hands to go along with a high catch radius. After the catch, Chadwell has the speed to turn up the field to pick up extra yards while also showing the strength to run straight through defenders in the open field. Gavin currently holds offers from Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky but is still undecided on if he will continue to play football this season due to him becoming a very promising basketball prospect. If he does choose to continue to play football, I have no doubt in my mind that he will be a very highly sought after prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["381929"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='381929' first='Will' last='Rich'] is another tight end that has consistently stayed high on our radar. He had a solid junior year, finishing with 10 receptions for 143 yards and four touchdowns. The thing that stands out the most when watching Rich is his blocking ability. He is a very physical blocker, showing the ability to drive his man down the field to create a running lane for the ball carrier. Rich has also shown the ability to pick up blocks down the field in open space. In the passing game, Will has the speed to pose as a deep threat down the seam and is also an impressive route runner. Will is committed to Bucknell where I see him being a very reliable tight end at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["675971"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='675971' first='Grady' last='Reynolds'] is a tight end that jumped onto my radar following an impressive junior season. He finished this past year with 23 receptions for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Reynolds has shown a ton of positional versatility, lining up as a true tight end, H-Back, and in the slot. He plays a key role in the Ryle passing game, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. Reynolds also has very reliable hands and has the ability to use his speed to turn up the field to pick up yards after the catch. He is also a very reliable blocker in the run game, showing the ability to run his feet through contact to drive his man down the field. Reynolds currently holds an offer from Bucknell and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play tight end at the Division I level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["675970"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Rounding out our top five tight ends in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='675970' first='Jaylen' last='Berry'] from George Rogers Clark. Berry had a strong junior year, catching 16 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. He is a very dangerous threat in the passing game. Berry has shown the ability to line up in the slot and use his speed to pose as a vertical threat down the field. He also has a very high catch radius which he uses to his advantage in contested catch situations. Jaylen is also a very impressive blocker. He plays with a ton of physicality, exploding off the line of scrimmage and driving his man down the field. Berry has also shown the ability to pose as a lead blocker and pick up blocks in open space. Jaylen currently holds one offer from Union College and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a very reliable tight end at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64af4b87cf0f0"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Tight Ends to Watch:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='313675' first='Tanner' last='Pedroche'] (Lexington Catholic) - #6 ranked TE/146 overall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='418833' first='Bryce' last='Hamon'] (Great Crossing)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='418832' first='Zach' last='Hohman'] (Oldham County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->