National Collection of 2028 Tight Ends With Rising Stock

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There aren't many athletes that set out in youth football saying, "I want to be a tight end." More times than not, the kids who end up playing tight end are wide receivers that simply got too big for the position and/or are physical enough to bang in the trenches, but can still catch the ball. It takes a unique body and level of ability, to play the tight end position and the collection of prospects below are some to keep an eye on as they enter high school in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1251466"],"_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":"- Size jumps out right away, listed at 6-foot-3 and 180-pounds, as does playing ball at a school like Xaverian Brothers in Massachusetts.rnrn- Film is limited, but does appear to be a natural pass catcher once he gets into his route. Catches with his hands, rather than letting ball in close to his chest.rnrn- Based on film, his straight line speed is inconclusive. Similarly, as his blocking ability because it's not on film. Need to see more of both for a more accurate projectionu002du002dbut there's some smoke around this fire.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1251542"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"- Bigger, thicker tight end with a broad build, listed at 6-foot and 225-pounds this past season.rnrn- Moves significantly faster/quicker than initial look would indicate. Additionally, took handoffs out of the backfield this past season too.rnrn- Brings physically to the tight end positionu002du002da position that is widely becoming closer to a wide receiver. Embraces contact and can run smaller defenders over with a dip of his shoulder","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1251563"],"_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":"- Has freaky athleticism an eighth-grade tight end listed at 6-foot-2 and 175-pounds alreadyrnrn- A multi-sport athlete that excels in basketball and track and field, in addition to footballrnrn- Looks like the epitome of what the tight end position is becoming. Fast and athletic enough to take direct snaps out of the backfield, yet also physical enough to put a defensive end on their butt while blocking","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":[1210200],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"- Tall kid with long limbs, already reportedly stands 6-foot-4 and 190-pounds. Body has a ways to go to develop physically, but the framework (literally and figuratively) is therernrn- Majority of his film is him as a defensive end, which he ultimately could develop in to. However, watching him run a drag in the end zone as a tight end passed my eye testrnrn- Multi-sport athlete that also plays basketball and participates in both running and field events in track and field.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1251651"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"- Without question he's going to be a project to transform, but as an eighth-grader, you can't teach the 6-foot-6 and 175-pounds he's listed at.rnrn- Incredibly tall, lean and a bit gawky right now. However, watching him on film, it's obvious he's a smart player that knows how to play to his strengthsrnrn- Also a basketball player (not surprisingly) he has recently announced he'll be headed to perennial powerhouse Pittsburgh Central Catholic for high school. He'll assume the role of the Ludwig on the Vikings squad, replacing of his older brother Connor Ludwig, who is off to play at Lehigh","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6622a4fb4a962"} /-->