Elite Position Groups: ’25 TEs
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Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription! I am in the middle of the 2025 Rankings Update and another very clear position group fits what I am looking for in a group worthy of the elite title. That…
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I am in the middle of the 2025 Rankings Update and another very clear position group fits what I am looking for in a group worthy of the elite title. That group is the Class of 2025 TEs. There is a handful of prospects that I can very easily see working their way into D1 level players. Several of them already have offers from the FBS, and a couple more could join them. Ignore the rankings by their names because those will be changing in a week or two when the update finishes. Let’s dive into the tape together to see what these studs have to offer.
In an absolutely loaded TE Class, James has locked himself into the #1 spot. The Notre Dame commit has so many tools you hope to find in a HS player. The elite size is there at 6’6″ 225 lbs, and there is plenty of room for him to add the bulk needed to play at the Power 4 level. In the passing game, James is a solid route runner, but it is size to box out defenders and long arms to further create separation that makes him a nightmare at the catch point. James is a natural receiver with the ability to twist, elevate, or contort his body to get his hands on the ball. After the catch the big man has an excellent balance of speed and power. The power in particular gives us a lot of highlights where he is leaving a trail of broken tackles. James also shines as a blocker. He has elite range to be able to pull and lead. His use of leverage and his lower body strength create a massive push against DLs. Flanigan is a special prospect with a high ceiling. Big things are ahead for him at Notre Dame.
This is why I said ignore the rankings at the beginning of the article. The order they are in here is the order you will see them when the rankings come out in a couple weeks. Blake will be up at TE2 after a dominant 2023 season. The 6’4″ 220 lbs junior is a rare athlete at his size. So much so that we even saw Blake at RB quite a bit this season. Prairie du Chien feeds it to him however they can. Blake brings track speed to the football field. As a receiver we see him able to stack DBs when he gets a chance to. He eats up the massive cushion that is usually used on him with his long strides and acceleration. At the catch Blake dominates too. We see him go over the top of DBs and grab it. Blake is able to reel in catches through contact. His ball skills catching and tracking the ball are exceptional. Thiry rounds out his talent with physicality after the catch. For all the impressive athleticism he has, Blake flips a switch when he needs to fight through tackles. The arrow is pointing straight up for Blake.
Highlights
The biggest TE in the state is DeForest’s Jackson Accuardi Jackson Accuardi 6’7″ | 230 lbs | TE DeForest | 2025 State WI who checks in at 6’7″ and now 230 lbs. The big man has a well balanced skill set. He is effective in the passing and rushing attacks. Jackson also is used out wide and in the traditional TE positions. Jackson seems to catch a lot of DBs off guard with his deceptive speed. His long strides send him streaking past DBs on deep routes and after the catch on quick passes. The big man is nimble and agile for his size and that allows him to be slippery after the catch. Jackson offers a massive catch radius and the ability to go rip it away in traffic. Accuardi is also very impressive in the run game. He has a huge frame, yet we see him use great knee and ankle flexibility to be able to play low and still get the leverage advantage despite dwarfing his opponents. Once he is underneath his man, Jackson is able to drive him wherever he wants him. I highly recommend the film below.
Highlights
Another massive TE prospect is Brookfield East’s 6’5″ 230 lbs junior Trent Oiler Trent Oiler 6’5″ | 230 lbs | TE Brookfield East | 2025 State WI . Trent is a massive mismatch that East uses primarily out on the perimeter. There we get to see Oiler’s best traits. He is essentially a massive WR in the passing game. His body control, balance, and agility make him a smooth, sudden route runner. So on top of having to guard his massive catch radius, you have to try to stay with him through his route breaks. You don’t see many athletes his size with his ability to win with short area quickness or long speed. College programs looking for a massive size/athleticism mismatch out wide need to get on this kid, today.
Highlights
A TE who has made a massive jump and started tapping into some of his potential is Emmett Bork Emmett Bork 6’6″ | 235 lbs | TE Oconomowoc | 2025 State WI out of Oconomowoc. The most impressive change is the frame that is now 6’6″ 235 lbs. Emmett has packed on about 20 lbs in less than a year without it effecting his play. It actually made him more effective. Emmett is another prospect used as primarily a big WR. They keep him out wide where he can use his exceptional athleticism to win. We see him able to stack the DB on go routes. Bork has an effective release highlighted by quick hands and lateral agility to get off the line. It is great to see how aggressive he is when making the catch too. He attacks the ball in the air, using this elite size to high point it over all DBs. Lastly, Bork is excellent at reading and tracking the ball in the air and quickly adjusting to it. Emmett is a receiving mismatch at the TE position to get your eyes on.
We just talked about Ben earlier this week, but we need to bring him back up in this topic. The 6’4″ 240 lbs TE is on the climb recently with the junior tape and his now 240 lbs frame out there. Ben is going to be pushing this group ahead of him. He brings a well balanced game to the field. We see the speed to get deep downfield, the ability to position himself to have the advantage on jump balls, and strong hands to hang onto it through hard hits. Verges made his biggest impact as an inline blocker in 2023. We saw him pull and kick out DEs. He has the agility to be able to make blocks in space on LBs and DBs. The power and use of leverage is there to use him on a Des without pulling him too. Don’t sleep on Ben.
Other Athletes of Note
- Dequavion Pinter Dequavion Pinter 6'3" | 215 lbs | TE Westosha Central | 2025 State WI , Westosha Central: 6’3″ 215 lbs
- Michael Harris Michael Harris 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2025 State WI , Milwaukee Academy of Science: 6’4″ 220 lbs
- John Schloss John Schloss 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Nathan Hale | 2025 State WI , Nathan Hale: 6’4″ 230 lbs
- Jayden King Jayden King 6'3" | 225 lbs | TE Wild Rose | 2025 State WI , Wild Rose: 6’3″ 225 lbs