Six Raleigh Area Tight Ends to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While George Kittle pushes National Tight Ends Day, it's a position that often gets overlooked at the high school level. However, the talent level at the tight end position in North Carolina is at an all-time high, especially in the Raleigh area. Here are six Raleigh area tight ends fans need to know this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Six RDU Tight Ends to Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["914956"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6679a637b2a9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ritchey would have been one of the top edge rushers in the state if he had focused on that position. Instead, he dove headlong into the tight end position and the rest is history. The North Carolina State commit is one of the best tight ends after the catch that you'll find, averaging over 20 yards a reception despite operating mostly underneath for Cary last year. His blocking doesn't get enough recognition and his body is college-ready. Expect him to be an early contributor for the Wolfpack next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1132674"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6679a637b2afd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">That height is not a typo as Hines is every bit of 6-foot-8. Yet, his feet and hips are still smooth and he's able to flex out wide for South Garner, providing a big target for his quarterbacks. He works the middle of the field well and knows how to use his body to shield defenders. He has a basketball background, so he's still shaping his body for full-time football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397960"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6679a637b2b40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morrow has great size and physicality. A 2-way player, his highest upside is at tight end whenere he's able to use his size to explode off the line, both as an in-line tight end and slot receiver. He high points the ball well and shield defenders across the middle. He's highly athletic and a willing blocker, something that will endear him to college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1309271"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6679a637b2b80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fiore stands out in a crowd because his body already looks college-ready at a chiseled 240 pounds. His release package is excellent and he has the strength and vertical to box out defenders at the catch point. A multi-sport athlete, Fiore is also a standout on the baseball diamond. Expect him to have a huge year for Clayton as he is the full-time starter in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832422"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6679a637b2bbd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown didn't have huge numbers as a sophomore, but his measurables have him in a position to be one of the top tight ends in the state as a junior. He's a strong blocker with the athleticism to get to the second level and take linebackers out of the play. He didn't run many routes as a receiver in 2023, but that could change in 2024 as he likely flexes out wide a bit more often. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1252939' first='Hayes' last='Brawner'], 6'6 215, Millbrook</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>File Brawner's name away as one for the future. He doesn't have enough film for me to create an evaluation, but he's got the size and speed to turn heads at college camps and on the gridiron this fall. He gets off the line well and obviously has the size. As he becomes more refined, he should be an excellent receiving threat at a school that tends to put out elite pass-catchers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->