Top Tight Ends/H-Backs of 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Des Moines, Iowa – </strong>As we have finished the regular season there have been many impressive pass catchers and blockers throughout the state. The position is where some of the best gritty athletes show and are referred to as a QB's safe blanket. Today's article will list the top tight ends/h-backs in the state from the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*<em>&nbsp;List is subject to players from all classes and isn't in any particular order</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*<em>List only includes players WHO are primarily Tight Ends. 2-way and ATH will have separate lists.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["247958"],"_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":"Simpson plays flexed out however he will most likely transition to TE in college. The Minnesota commit is an athlete who uses his size, finesse and strong hands to beat defenders. Simpson has no problem at all catching in traffic or making contested catches because of his physical traits and ability. He is precise and effective in how he gets open and he is also good at getting his head around to track vertical throws without losing a step. He needs a little more bulk for the trenches, but has what coaches are looking for in technique, ability and demeanor. The redzone is where he wins when he has the ability to turn into a basketball player with great box out ability or win  jump balls. Simpson is the only tight end in 5A to crack the top 10 in receiving yards which shows he has no problem being lined up against defensive backs.rnrnrnrnPlay-Style: Flex-Y/Vertical ThreatrnrnSeason Stats: 40 receptions, 678 receiving yards, 10 touchdownsrnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/13487586/Jacob-Simpsonu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/13487586/Jacob-Simpsonu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["247970"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":1065001,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The future Jayhawks  is an ascending in-line tight end with good size and length. Kansas will look to fill out his long frame and get him stronger as a point-of-attack blocker. While he looks lanky and unorthodox in the early stages of the route, he plays with good physicality throughout and does a nice job of shielding defenders from playing the football. He doesn't have threatening speed but he is willing to sit in holes and work across the middle of defenses. He also is dangerous at high pointing because of his size and his ability. The redzone will be Bruhn's best friend as he can win fades and slants near the end zone.rnrnrnrnPlay-style: In-line Redzone TargetrnrnSeason Stats: 17 receptions, 189 receiving yards, 4 touchdownsrnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/14850797/Carson-Bruhnu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/14850797/Carson-Bruhnu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["212833"],"_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":"Schutty is a reliable playmaker. The Jaguars' senior is a big, physical and athletic tight end who is a factor in both the run and pass game. He is a hybrid/in-line tight end with good build-up speed and exceptional athleticism as a route runner. As a blocker, he is a aggressive and understands angles as he is a crucial part to the Jags run game. He succeeds in a system where his production was often set up by play-action and rub routes, but he has the potential to find catches on his own. He is a willing pass catcher who is aggressive when he goes up and gets it, but he knows how to find the end-zone. Even when he gets into the open field, he is an above average in the run-after-catch when he gets legs rollingrnrnrnrnPlay-Style: Hybrid PlaymakerrnrnSeason Stats: 15 receptions, 282 receiving yards, 8 touchdownsrnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/13499869/Chase-Schuttyu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/13499869/Chase-Schuttyu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":1069975,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Hudson Miller ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Des Moines Roosevelt ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Miller is a different type of prospect who flashes a lot of versatility. He plays a lot of H-back/Y tight end but also flexes out in the slot.  He moves well and can beat defenders across the middle with his strides. He works well underneath but also is used vertically. He's targeted a lot in the quick game when lined up at H-back or tight end but stretches the field in the slot. You must note that he can also be a very reliable safe blanket. He is a big body that can adjust to tracking the ball. The Roosevelt product can get the job done blocking as well.  All in all, Miller is very capable of playing a hybrid tight end role in college once he puts on some weight. Even once he gains some speed he'll be valuable with his versatility.rnrnrnrnPlay-Style: Hybrid H-Back/Flex-YrnrnSeason Stats: 25 receptions, 351 receiving yards, 5 touchdownsrnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/14468471/Hudson-Milleru0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/14468471/Hudson-Milleru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":1069969,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Will Leifker","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Dowling Catholic ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Leifker is perhaps the most complete tight end on this list. He is a mean, nasty blocker who can line up in the wing, h-back, in-line or even flex out. He works well in their run scheme  kicking out ends but is  more effective in the second level when he reaches backers and dbs.  He is a very adequate route runner and understands  how to exploit leverage against defenders. Many linebackers would have a tough time guarding him due to the finesse and ability he plays with. He has a powerful burst that allows him to gain ground fast and get on opponents toes. The Maroons have used him more significantly in the run game but half of his receptions have gone for a first down which shows how reliable and explosive he is. Leifker just has to be used in a scheme where he gets to showcase his catch passing ability as well.rnrnrnrnPlay-Style: All-Around PlaymakerrnrnSeason Stats: 13 receptions, 166 receiving yards. 1 touchdownrnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/14900593/Andrew-Crownoveru0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/14900593/Andrew-Crownoveru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":1069957,"_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"AJ Crownover","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"West Des Moines Valley","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Although the production may not be eye popping, the tenacity and effort Crownover plays with shows. Another polished blocker on this list, Crownover is capable of overpowering smaller D-line men, LBs and DBs. There have been some instances though when he's shown to match-up with guys his size or bigger which shows huge potential for the Valley product. He is a huge part of the Tigers run game due to his ability to open up gaps and work second level lined up as an in-line. He gets off the ball quite fast and provides some good deception to what he is about to do. Crownover is not just solemnly a blocker however, he works will across the middle and up the seam within quick game. He is also a pass catcher who is able to find the hole and sit in zones to make the QBs life easier. The Wayne State commit finds a new home in the NSIC and will look to get into the mix within the Wildcats new regime that has played out well so far. Once they add some more muscle mass and weight his ceiling and potential will only raise.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnPlay-Style: In-Line/Hybrid ThreatrnrnSeason Stats: 10 receptions, 131 receiving yards, 0 touchdownsrnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/14900593/Andrew-Crownoveru0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/14900593/Andrew-Crownoveru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["427555"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Brewer is definitely a player who can do multiple things within an offense. He can flex out, line up in-line and be a hybrid/utility type player. He has some decent speed to him, great awareness and sufficient/physical blocking skills. He knows how to be a lead blocker in the run game but can also erase a lot in the screen and bubble game as well. He works more vertical and up the seam than anything and is a key part of their access throws. The warriors even flex him out wide sometimes and make him a big target on key downs. Brewer is for sure a possession type target but can for sure move with the ball in his hands and isn't the easiest to bring break down. Time will only tell with Brewer but the news on him will heat up soon and he can possibly be one of the top prospects in a few year.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnPlay-Style: Possessive Vertical Threat/HybridrnrnSeason Stats: 26 receptions, 313 receiving yards, 1 touchdownrnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/19508525/luke-breweru0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/19508525/luke-breweru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65264158b5303"} /-->