Alabama TE Report: 5 Risers, 3 Sleepers

As we know, the TE position is one of the ever-evolving positions on the gridiron. Each prospect comes with their own shapes and sizes, but they all have to handle a variety of responsibilities.   Here are 8 of the more noteworthy TE prospects in Alabama.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Risers</h2>    Pigg carries his 6'4 245 frame very well and is still relatively thin in his limbs. His blocking ability is what creates the most intrigue around his game. He looks to enjoy blocking, violently making contact with defenders and finishing blocks in the dirt. He does a good job of striking and lifting through the chest of defenders as well. He is also instinctual enough to handle multiple defenders on one play. As a receiver, he is a natural mismatch that can play above the rim. When he adds more weight, he will be able to shield the catch point from DBs and be tough to handle in the red zone. Pigg could eventually fill out to be 260 plus while still maintaining some athleticism, making him an option to play in-line on every snap and slip into space to make plays as a receiver. Pigg added several D1 and FBS offers this spring.     [player_tooltip player_id='1098607' first='Wilson' last='Hodges'] is a thin, athletic TE prospect with plenty of versatility and upside. He takes reps as an in-line blocker, HB, and split out at WR. He carries his 6'4 220 frame well, running like a deer in space and getting skinny enough to slip off tackles when he gets rolling downhill. He is a better blocker than most TEs I've evaluated in the 2025 class, winning with leverage off the line, striking at the chest, and firing his feet throughout the process of driving defenders backward. When he adds more weight, he will have enough play strength to elevate his blocking ability even more. Hodges will be a candidate to play every down at the next level thanks to his versatility.     There's not a whole lot of game tape to go off of, but it is hard to argue against the physical and athletic traits that Gregory brings to the table. He is a 6'8 215 basketball player playing football, which is a description that can offer plenty of intrigue. He has plenty of room to grow and is still developing as a pass catcher, but he has the natural ability to play above the rim and should generate plenty of targets in goal-line situations. He is a field stretcher, but he has the start/stop in his feet to work back toward the QB and over the middle of the field. Gregory has added several FBS offers this spring and could firmly crack the P4 radar with a solid fall.     So far, Achenbach's tape is practically all blocking. However, he has ironed out a gritty role for his squad and is a rare body type. At 6'7 230, he has the length and the drive to suffocate defenders as a blocker. He plays square to the defender and has the footwork needed to match their moves. He times his punches well and usually lands it in the right spot. He doesn't have much receiving production and projects mostly as a blocker, but he can absolutely settle down in space and box defenders out from the football. Achenbach just picked up his first D1 offer from Air Force.     [player_tooltip player_id='1133021' first='Miles' last='Uter'] has blown up this offseason, becoming one of the hottest prospects in the state this offseason. He is listed at 6'5 225 and moves very well, eliminating cushion and threatening the middle of the field. He can pluck the ball away and across his body, maximizing his already massive catch radius. He is a steady blocker and his squad frequently throws and runs behind him. Uter is simply a mismatch threat that has flashed reliability as a blocker and as a receiver. When you factor in his athleticism, you have a prospect who can contribute for multiple years at the FBS level.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers</h2>    Landon Strickland is a super long, athletic TE prospect who is still far from his peak physically. He carries his frame exceptionally well and spends most of his time split out at WR. From there, he flashes excellent route running ability for a big man, getting DBs moving horizontally and taking advantage. He battles throughout the process and is difficult to move off his route, providing mismatch ability. He flashes some fast hands, picking the ball off his mask and quickly reaching out to pluck passes thrown out of his reach. His catch radius is massive, and he offers the ability to play above the rim. Strickland is a fluid mover out after the catch, making him a multi-level playmaker. He possesses rare mobility and separation skills for a TE prospect and still has plenty of physical upside.     Eli Motes is a tall, yet stout TE prospect that frequently penetrates and attacks the deep part of the field. He lines up mostly outside at WR. He has rare explosiveness and acceleration for his size, quickly eliminating cushion and ultimately finding the extra gear needed to carry away from defenders. Might not be able to create as much separation in college, but he is a physical catch machine that can absorb contact while reeling in the football. He doesn't spend a whole lot of time lined up on the line, but his muscled-up frame should allow him to hold his own as a blocker. Motes picked up a few D1 offers this spring, but is still a name well beneath the radar nationally.     Nick Hampton has long arms and an untapped frame. As of now, he is still under the radar but is a candidate to break onto the recruiting scene as early as this fall. He is still thin at this stage of development, but spends a lot of time attached to the line and is willing as a blocker, not to mention he can easily slip to the second level. He is a space-eater, quickly vacating open field with his long strides and settling down as a huge target for the QB. After the catch, he flashes some explosiveness and impressive straight-line speed. He can wiggle his way around some tacklers and can carry away when he opens up his stride. Hampton has a massive catch radius, long arms, and room to fill out from head to toe. Early blocking experience will only help his development. He is someone you need to watch.

As we know, the TE position is one of the ever-evolving positions on the gridiron. Each prospect comes with their own shapes and sizes, but they all have to handle a variety of responsibilities.