2023 Kickoff Series: TE Preview

A look at five of the best returning tight ends in the state before the 2023 season.   As we move onto the next position group in the Kickoff Series, the tight ends, we will be closing out the offensive side of the ball with the five players on this list. Much like the previous positions I've written about, it was difficult to narrow the long list of talented players down to just five but never-the-less, here are the five tight ends who I feel will have the biggest impact in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='251279' first='Drew' last='Rohlman'], Chatfield Chargers (TE)(Sr.)(27) - Our first entry on this list might be the most versatile entry as well, with [player_tooltip player_id='251279' first='Drew' last='Rohlman']. Rohlman was a huge difference maker for the Chargers in every phase of the offensive side of the ball last year, as he registered 662 yards receiving and 7 receiving touchdowns on 60 receptions (11.0), but his numbers don't do his overall impact justice. Diving into Rohlman's film from 2022, the first thing that stands out to you is his great foot speed and explosiveness for the TE position. Lethal combination of good top end foot speed, lateral agility, and acceleration in and out of his breaks allows him to beat most LBs and slower DBs that try to run with him in coverage. A good frame and overall size (6'3, 185 lbs) allow him to beat most DBs that are asked to cover him with physicality and size alone. Extremely versatile TE that can play on the line and off-the-line, in the slot where he can operate in space, or even on the boundary in red zone scenarios. Shows consistently strong, physical hands when high-pointing the ball in the red zone and on short-to-intermediate routes over the middle, in traffic. Highly aggressive, physical ball carrier after the catch. Displays great ability as a blocker, routinely driving second and third level defenders back several yards through the point-of-contact. Rohlman is currently ranked the number 7 TE and the number 83 player overall in the class of 2024, but that ranking will certainly grow if he can continue to develop and shoulder a heavy load for the Chatfield offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='296707' first='Grady' last='Forsythe'], Conifer Lobos (TE)(Sr.)(8) – Moving onto our next entry is one of the more highly touted TE prospects going into the 2023 season, in Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id='296707' first='Grady' last='Forsythe']. Forsythe had an extremely productive junior year, accounting for 460 yards receiving and 3 receiving touchdowns on 34 receptions (13.5 YPR). When you look at Forsythe's impressive 2022 season on film, the first thing that jumps out is his incredibly large frame (6'4, 215 lbs), as he stands head and shoulders over almost every other player on the field. Tall, long-armed receiver that routinely wins with his size against most boundary, 2nd level, and 3rd level defenders. Shows good ability after the catch to find space against the defense and break tackles in the open field. Tough runner that doesn't shy away from contact and isn't afraid to put his shoulder down and drive his legs through contact to gain extra yards. Good route runner that is at his best as a receiver when he's working underneath and intermediate areas of the field, where his size and ability after the catch give him an advantage. Shows good ability as a run-blocker with his combination of size, aggressiveness, and balance that allow him to anchor and drive against most defenders. Almost exclusively lined up in-line with his hand in the dirt, but seemed to be the most effective in this position as both a run-blocker and a receiver. Forsythe is currently ranked the number 3 TE and the number 31 player overall in the class of 2024, with ranking certainly being well-deserved. The future Falcon will be one of the more exciting players to follow, regardless of position, in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='253619' first='Colton' last='Mills-Younger'], Poudre Impalas (TE)(Sr.)(88) – Mills-Younger is another TE on this list who plays in integral role for his team's offense despite the numbers from 2022 not painting the whole picture of how good of a player he is. For his junior season, Mills-Younger registered 503 yards receiving and 2 receiving touchdowns on 45 receptions (11.2 YPR). When you watch the film of Mills-Younger's junior season, you can see he is an incredibly well-rounded TE in every facet of the position. Prototypical frame for his position (6'2, 225 lbs) that allows him to easily out-muscle defenders for fades/jump-balls on the boundary and make tough catches through traffic over the middle. Long-armed receiver that, combined with his impressive vertical ability, allows him to routinely win with his size/frame against most boundary defenders. Great overall athleticism for his position, as his top-end foot speed and change-of-direction allow him to win against most 2nd and 3rd level defenders with his athleticism alone. Good, smart route runner that shows a good understanding of how to sit in between zone coverage underneath and in the intermediate area of the field, while also displaying a good knowledge of releases and stems when going against a defender in man coverage. Shows requisite ability as a run-blocker when working against 2nd and 3rd level defenders on both zone and gap calls. Versatile chess piece of a TE that can consistently line up and win split-out on the boundary, lined-up in the slot, or in-line with his hand in the dirt. Mills-Younger is currently ranked the number 6 TE and the number 46 player overall for the class of 2024, with that ranking rising with a strong senior season in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='143641' first='Ben' last='Early'], Banning Lewis Academy Stallions (TE)(Sr.)(6) - Early is another senior TE whose numbers don't truly reflect the type of impact he has for the Stallions' offense, especially in the red zone. During his junior season, Early registered 330 yards receiving and an impressive 8 receiving touchdowns on just 23 receptions (14.3 YPR). Turning on the tape of Early's junior season, you can see he is a tall, long-armed TE that presents a near impossible matchup for DBs on the boundary and smaller 2nd and 3rd level defenders. Shows elite ability to high-point the ball with fade routes on the goal line and while working back through defenders towards under-thrown passes. Displays consistently strong, tough hands when working underneath and through intermediate traffic, routinely fighting through defenders to bring down a pass. Good route runner that knows how to create separation at the top of his route when working against a defender in man coverage. Aggressive ball carrier after the catch that doesn't shy away from contact at any level of the field. A combination of excellent top-end foot speed and first-step explosiveness out of his stance allow him to quickly get on top of slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders. Great ability as a run-blocker when working the edge or when being the lead blocker on gap runs. Shows the ability to line up out wide but is at his best in-line with his hand in the dirt. Early is currently ranked the number 10 TE and the number 102 player overall in the state, which might seem low given his talent and tape, but the Stallions playing at the 1A level could explain Early's low recruiting profile.   [player_tooltip player_id='748117' first='Henry' last='Hurd'], Aspen Skiers (TE)(Jr.)(1) - With the only junior entry on this list comes a player that has already started generating buzz on the recruiting trail despite the Skiers playing at the 2A level and only posting 2 wins last year to boot. [player_tooltip player_id='748117' first='Henry' last='Hurd'] has quickly established himself as arguably the top TE in the class of 2025 despite the numbers not telling the whole story of how incredibly talented Hurd is as he accounted for 335 yards receiving and 7 receiving touchdowns on only 28 receptions (12.0 YPR) in 2022. Diving into the tape of Hurd's sophomore season, you can see the first thing that stands out is his size. He's almost a whole head bigger than most of the defenders he's playing against, which creates an extremely difficult matchup for DBs – or really any defender - trying to work against him in pass coverage. Long armed TE that has elite ability when high-pointing a ball, making him a lethal threat on any play in the red zone. Very strong, extremely physical TE that displays an aggressive running style after the catch where he routinely finishes the play driving through the point-of-contact with defenders for extra yardage. Highly savvy TE that knows how to work through traffic on short and intermediate routes on scramble. Versatile player at the TE position that can play at a high level whether he's lining up on the line, in the slot, or on the boundary presenting a matchup problem for most defenders regardless of alignment. Displays great ability as a blocker, routinely winning against most defenders with a combination of good hand placement and ability to anchor and drive through the point-of-contact. Hurd is currently ranked the number 2 TE and the number 53 player overall with it not being difficult to see why given Hurd's combination of tape, production, and frame (6'5, 200 lbs) that screams high-level college player.

A look at five of the best returning tight ends in the state before the 2023 season.