Scouting The Class: #TN2025 Tight Ends

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A quarterback's best friend, the Tight End! We have a solid group of those here in Tennessee for the #TN2025 class with several high caliber talents and others with upside to push their games to another level. </h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospect-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2025&position%5B%5D=TE&commitment=">#TN2025 Tight End Database</a>   The tight end position continues to evolve as the years go by with stand out talents ranging in height from 6 '1 all the way to 6' 8 with the athleticism and versatility to line up out wide or play on the line.    The state of Tennessee has a mix of just that and the #TN2025 crop looks to be as talented as ever but as of now, not as deep as years past. That should change as the next several months go by with new prospects jumping on the radar but for now, we have a solid group of tight ends with several of them destined for D1 football.    At the top of our tight end database sits three unique pass catchers that will all sign with D1 programs along with sporting upside to take their talents further. Baylor senior [player_tooltip player_id='219421' first='Cameron' last='Sparks'] is one of the best pure receivers we have in the #TN2025 class but will he remain at tight end in college or fully transition over to wideout.    The Red Raiders big man has a unique skill set that allows him to flex out wide in a variety of roles, making you think he is a receiver but with how his body is built, Sparks looks like a college tight end that can be utilized in multiple ways.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Elielrod0623/status/1718048708632498247?s=20 </div></figure>   Much of the same can be said for Green Hill tight end [player_tooltip player_id='219336' first='Aaron' last='Mattingly']. The Hawks coaching staff uses this 6 '5 pass catcher in a variety of ways from flexing him out wide, placing him in the backfield at H-Back or even putting his hand in the dirt, asking him to block. Mattingly is a very talented ball player that I see tremendous upside with and the potential to take his talents beyond the college game.    Alcoa rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='219408' first='Eli' last='Owens'] is a true tight end that will play on the line while also having the athleticism to flex out as well. Well built physically at 6'3 230 pounds, Owens is a perfect short yardage pass catcher that can run after the catch while also being an excellent threat in the red zone. Those talents can be seen at Michigan starting next year.    Beyond the top three, we have several talented tight ends that are D1 caliber prospects along with several others that have the upside to get there. Lipscomb senior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='347785' first='T.J.' last='Briggs Jr.'] is a big boy with tons of untapped potential. His size (6'6 235) and ability to run and get down the middle field quickly, makes him a very intriguing talent for Power level coaches.   Sullivan-East big man [player_tooltip player_id='467211' first='Corbin' last='Laisure'] has already broken out onto the recruiting scene by landing offers from the likes of Arizona St., Colorado, Louisville, MTSU, San Diego St., Western Michigan and others. Expect to see several more Power programs get involved with the Patriots pass catcher over the next several weeks. Built almost like Laisure is Baylor tight end [player_tooltip player_id='923654' first='Ben' last='Darnell'], who many may not know too much about right now but the dude can play!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/claisure.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1161472" style="width:348px;height:auto" /></figure>   Darnell is a well put together young man that fits more of your short yardage, in-line blocking tight end that has surprising exceleration when he gets into the open field. Look to hear more and more about the Red Raiders big man over the coming months.    Davidson Academy senior [player_tooltip player_id='466271' first='Wes' last='Harper'] and Knox. Halls pass catcher [player_tooltip player_id='219379' first='Drew' last='Ross'] are two shorter (Both 6'3) tight ends prospects that provide versatility and the option to line out wide in a spread attack offense. Both are also excellent pass receivers with outstanding hands that know how to get open and provide their quarterbacks with safety options when all else breaks down.    The next grouping of tight ends are still a bit of a mystery, meaning they have tons of development and learning to go or must get involved with the off-season process further to boost their recruiting stocks.    Franklin receiver/tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1102361' first='Wils' last='Jackson'] is the most intriguing here as this 6 '5 rising senior is an unknown right now but sports great size, length and the guy can run. He is skilled enough to play at X or Y if needed but I see his biggest upside coming as a flex tight end in the college game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/wilsjackson.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1118227" /></figure>   Summit tight end [player_tooltip player_id='466270' first='Pryor' last='Browning'] and Pearl Cohn senior [player_tooltip player_id='1148636' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas'] are two under the radar prospects that need a big off-season to get on the map as potential D1, FCS guys. Thomas already holds an offer from Eastern Ky but his work during camp season as well as his senior year will go a long way towards boosting his stock. Browning is a big dude that could move to offensive tackle if his speed doesn't increase over the next few months.    We have four prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='928877' first='Sam' last='Sartin'] (Cleveland), [player_tooltip player_id='1103494' first='Xavier' last='Watkins'] (Smyrna), [player_tooltip player_id='787750' first='Juwaan' last='Troutman'] (Austin-East) and [player_tooltip player_id='839501' first='Zander' last='Palmer'] from Pope Prep that have potential to reach the college game at tight end but need continued work this off-season to reach their maximum capabilities.    Sartin has the most buzz right now in recruiting due to his size, big hands and potential at tight end but his agility and speed needs work, otherwise offensive or defensive line could be his future. Watkins is an athletic guy that doesn't know how good he can be. The Bulldogs 6 '3 big man has long arms and huge hands that work well at tight end but his potential may fit best at edge linebacker.    Troutman may not know it yet but to me, he has tight end potential written all over him. At the moment, the 6'4 220 pound athlete plays quarterback for his Austin-East team but if he wants a future on the college level, tight end is where he needs to be. Palmer is a two-way talent for Pope Prep that is a good short yardage pass catcher that is willing to block in-line or in space.    From a talent point of view, this is a solid class with ten plus guys destined for the college ranks. The athleticism and versatility are definite strengths within this class with blocking and overall size being the traits that are lacking. This crop will develop further over the coming months and I believe make this class deeper and more attractive to collegiate coaches.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/ssartin.jpeg?w=678" alt="" class="wp-image-1211927" style="width:289px;height:auto" /></figure>