’25 Rankings – New Addition Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Tight End class is a very unique one. This year, we have several high-upside tight ends who're looking for a breakout senior season in order to earn those coveted GLIAC or D1 offers. This article will include five of our New Addition tight ends, all of whom could significantly raise their stock with a great senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1312083"],"_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-6681e6653e49d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payton is a prospect that I knew little about until very recently. Payton could be argued as being a receiver, but he has high upside at both positions. Regardless of position, Payton is a physical player who runs crisp routes, has a great catch radius, ideal size, and has a very high ceiling. Although he doesn't line up in-line, Payton has several dominant blocking highlights. He uses his power and size to lock onto and outmuscle several DBs, sometimes leading to pancakes. As a receiver, Payton has solid hands, can climb the ladder when needed, and is great after the catch. I especially like the work he does in the middle of the field, where most Tight Ends love to eat. Payton projects incredibly well to the next level, and wherever he lands, I expect great development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290918"],"_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-6681e6653e52d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've been quite high on Blake for a good while now, and that continues into this rankings update. Blake is not the most polished receiver or blocker quite yet, but he's getting the reps necessary to improve. As a receiver, Blake runs good routes and has moments where he flashes run-after-catch ability. He's a rare tight end who demonstrates prowess in practically the entire route tree- he just needs to continue improving his hands. As for blocking, he's a bit undersized and lacks that elite grittiness that you'd like to see for a D1 prospect. That said, he receives plenty of opportunities to block as an in-line Tight End. He's a low MAC prospect in my eyes, and with a standout season, he could earn those offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1275499"],"_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-6681e6653e591"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Riley has some momentum heading into the 2024 season. He's coming off a few good camp performances and a GLIAC offer from Saginaw Valley State. During a recent GVSU Camp, I watched Riley move very well during agility drills. I'm disappointed I didn't catch him during the competition portion, but I'm confident he's good in that area. His film shows plenty of good highlights at Outside Linebacker, and play there undoubtedly helps him move as a Tight End. He's a mid-tier GLIAC prospect in my eyes, and he'll continue to earn offers with a good 2024 campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290800"],"_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-6681e6653e5ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another great new addition to the rankings is [player_tooltip player_id='1290800' first='Drew' last='Sikora']. He actually has one of the more well-rounded highlight tapes that I've seen from a Tight End. His film shows off a good mix of blocking and receiving. While blocking, Drew demonstrates a great initial pop while doing his bet to keep his feet moving. I think he's well above-average in that category. As for his receiving, he runs solid routes and is a good possession target. I think the biggest thing holding him back right now is his route running, hands, and the ability to earn yards after catch. A little more production offensively, and he'll earn GLIAC offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298516"],"_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-6681e6653e643"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another new name to the Tight End rankings is [player_tooltip player_id='1298516' first='Gibson' last='Connelly'] out of Grandville. I had recently watched Gibson at the MHSAA Camp in Jenison, and he confirmed what I saw on tape. Generally, Gibson is a raw prospect who has all the tools needed to develop into a GLIAC prospect. He's tall, long, talented, and overall has excellent upside. Though, at least in the passing game, he has a lot to work on. His routes aren't where they need to be, and he dropped a few balls as well. That's something he'll need to work on. He actually got a good amount of receiving opportunity despite Grandville's Wing-T offense, so I expect similar production this season. If Gibosn can continue blocking well while taking a major step up as a receiver, colleges will come calling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->