2024 Final Position Rankings: Tight End
With the 2023 high school football season behind us, another senior class will be moving on to the next level. As we move into a new season, I wanted to take a look back at the class of 2024 by…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2023 high school football season behind us, another senior class will be moving on to the next level. As we move into a new season, I wanted to take a look back at the class of 2024 by releasing the final 2024 rankings for the state of Kentucky. With these rankings being officially published, I will be taking the next week to break down each position. After already covering the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, I will now turn my attention to our top tight ends in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky.
Willie Rodriguez Willie Rodriguez 6’4″ | 235 lbs | TE Covington Catholic | 2024 State KY continued to prove that he is one of the best overall players in the state this season. He played a key role in Covington Catholic’s passing game, catching 29 passes for 488 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games. Rodriguez is a very skilled route runner, showing the ability to run a full route tree and use smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. He is also dangerous after the catch, showing the speed and strength as a ball carrier to pick up extra yards after the catch. Rodriguez has also impressed me as a blocker, showing the ability to drive his man out of the picture to create a running lane. Willie also played a role on defense as a defensive end, finishing the season with 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three sacks. Rodriguez signed with Kentucky where I see him becoming a key piece of their offense once he gets there.
Grady Reynolds Grady Reynolds 6’5″ | 215 lbs | TE Ryle | 2024 State KY is a tight end that caught my attention last season and continued to stand out during his senior year. He had an impressive season as a receiving threat, catching 50 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. Reynolds has shown tremendous positional versatility, showing the ability to line up as a true tight end, out wide at receiver, and in an H-Back role. He is an impressive route runner, showing the ability to create separation with ease. After the catch, he has shown the ability to get up the field and pick up extra yards. Reynolds is also a very good blocker, showing the ability to drive his man down the field to create a running lane. Grady also played a key role on defense, finishing the season with 82 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception. Reynolds currently holds offers from Bucknell, Thomas More, Kentucky Wesleyan, and Georgetown College, and I expect him to play a huge role wherever he decides to play at the next level.
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Will Rich Will Rich 6’3″ | 215 lbs | TE Lexington Christian Academy | 2024 State KY is a tight end that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. Rich has stood out as a very impressive blocker in the run game, showing the ability to wall off his man and drive them out of the picture to create a running lane. He also has shown the ability to pick up blocks in open space on long runs. Rich also has shown the ability to pose as a threat in the passing game. He finished his senior season with eight receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. Will signed with Bucknell where I can see him developing into an impact player on offense.
To wrap up our top tight ends in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky, I have Tanner Pedroche Tanner Pedroche 6’3″ | 225 lbs | TE Lexington Catholic | 2024 State KY . Pedroche played a key role in the Lexington Catholic passing game this season, catching 30 passes for 409 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. Tanner has very reliable hands and a high catch radius, showing the ability to go up and catch the ball at its highest point in jump ball situations. He also showed the ability to use his speed to get up the field and pick up yards after the catch. Pedroche also stood out to me as a blocker. He showed the ability to line up as an H-Back and serve as a lead blocker, driving his man out of the picture to create an opening for the ball carrier. Pedroche currently holds an offer from Thomas More and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to be a very productive tight end at the next level.
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Other Notable Tight Ends:
Bryce Hamon Bryce Hamon 6'1" | 190 lbs | TE Great Crossing | 2024 KY (Great Crossing)
Kade New Kade New 6'2" | 210 lbs | TE Owen County | 2024 KY (Owen County)
Arick Henry Arick Henry 6'4" | 200 lbs | TE Spencer County | 2024 KY (Spencer County)