5 Rising Senior TEs Poised to Rise Up Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we dive into the film from last season, it's time to turn our attention to five Iowa High School Football TEs. With the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2025-rankings/?position=TE">tight end position</a> becoming more versatile, finding the do-it-all player is vital for making an efficient offense. These five players shined in the recent film study, leaving excitement as we await their <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ihsaa/football/2023-24/comps/h2023110602004003574be60f033fb40/rosters">senior seasons</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["252314"],"_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":"Hawthorne is a versatile, tough type of tight end that lines up in many different ways. He's utilized out of the backfield as a blocker, runner, and receiver. In terms of blocking, Hawthorne is a mean, relentless player who ensures that his man is taken out of the play. He uses his strength and size to impose his will against defenders, making it nearly impossible to get to the backfield if you take him head-on. As a runner, Hawthorne is a bulldozer, running over anything in his path. Not only that, he puts his athleticism on full display as he can get shifty in the open field and make defenders miss. He also has speed to his game, showing breakaway abilities when he gets space. Hawthorne is a reliable receiver, as he's utilized in screen passes and underneath routes, displaying good hands and run-after-catch capabilities.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a802705a8a7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["252315"],"_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":"Vokes is a big-bodied, receiving-style tight end with phenomenal athleticism and terrific hands. He's used in various ways, either split out wide or with his hand in the dirt on the line of scrimmage. When he's lined up on the boundary, he flashes with good routes, creating enough separation to be an open target for his quarterback. Even when he is covered, Vokes can go up and get the ball, using his height and frame to beat the defender. He's not afraid of contact when going up for the ball or after the catch as a runner. He'll put his shoulder down and run defenders over, but he can also make you miss in the open field. When he's on the line, Vokes is a great underneath target for his quarterback and can take short passes for big gains. He's a great red zone target, easily outmanning defenders on fades or crossing routes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a802705a944"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["252313"],"_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":"Koopmans is a big-bodied tight end with supreme athleticism and mak-you-miss agility. He lines up all over the line of scrimmage, creating mismatches for linebackers and defensive backs. He's shifty throughout his routes and creates enough separation to make him an easy target for his quarterback. What stands out in Koopmans' film is his fearlessness going over the middle of the field. He'll secure the catch even if he's about to take a hit. He has strong, natural hands that are on full display in the red zone. He'll high-point the ball with a defender draped on him and reel it in for a big play. Koopmans will take underneath short passes for big gains, using his speed and open-field vision to make the most of the play. He's a tough runner to bring down, running through arm tackles and making defenders miss in space.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a802705a9d6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["252312"],"_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":"Kurt is a tight end used as an outside deep threat on the field side. What's impressive about his film is his speed, selling the in-route before breaking vertical. His long strides quickly eat up turf and will quickly get behind the defense. Kurt will also take shallow crosses and screens and turn them into big plays. He does a great job adjusting to misthrown passes, showing off his wide catch radius. Kurt's speed when he has the ball in his hands is dangerous, as he can run past defenders and make them miss in space. His size allows him to go up and get the ball, securing it with strong hands, making him a dangerous threat near the goal line. There are several flashes on film of Kurt showing off his physicality and fearlessness of going over the middle of the field and catching passes in traffic, taking a hit, and gaining extra yardage.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a802705aa63"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["983337"],"_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":"Sutherland is your prototypical, in-line tight end who can be used as a receiver and a blocker. His size stands out immediately, as he towers over defenders, using it to go up and get passes or boxing out linebackers and defensive backs. Sutherland understands how to find the soft spot in zones, allowing his quarterback to drop passes between defenders. He's a strong player who isn't afraid of taking on contact. Sutherland is a reliable target over the middle of the field, picking up chunk yards and making the tough play. He has reliable hands, making catches through traffic and securing passes while getting hit. As a blocker, Sutherland does a great job turning defenders inside on runs to the boundary. He uses his strength to control the rep and finishes blocks, playing to the whistle with a relentless mentality.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a802705aaef"} /-->