2024 Season Preview: Breakout Tight Ends

<p>The 2024 season in the Natural State is just weeks away, with Week Zero starting on August 25th. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to impact the upcoming season. That said, here are five tight ends that I expect to have a breakout season that catches the eye of college coaches and recruiters even more.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='858815' first='Kelly' last='Smith'] is a physical and athletic tight end known for his strong hands and ability to block outside. I expect the senior's recruitment to take off in the fall/winter. Smith displays a quick release off the line of scrimmage, showcasing good foot quickness and acceleration. His ball skills are evident at the catch point due to good hand-eye coordination and body control, enabling him to win the contest. Smith poses a significant threat in the Redzone, and one-on-one jump ball plays. His run blocking is formidable in open space, characterized by good angles, pad level, and physicality, coupled with a fluid route-running capability. He also plays linebacker, where the physcialness and motor come out. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas Baptist</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.9 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kj13smith/status/1812270672246439963 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1318008' first='William' last='Lucas'] is starting to rise on the map after receiving his first offer this summer. Lucas is a smooth route runner who can attack all levels of the field quickly. He displays good foot quickness, burst, and change of direction out of breaks to create separation. He can win the 1v1 jump balls as he showcases strong hands, good hand-eye coordination, and balance to catch vs. contest, high point the football, or adjust mid-route. Keep an eye on this tight end. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas-Monticello</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.9 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FBWilliam20/status/1816663536581640409 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1392948' first='Noah' last='Butler'] is a 6'8" tight end—yes, you heard that right. He is physically imposing and athletic, and that's where his basketball ability comes into play. Butler displays solid foot quickness, burst, and change of direction out of breaks to create separation, giving the quarterback a length window due to his catch radius. He can win the 1v1 jump balls as he showcases strong hands, good hand-eye coordination, and balance to catch vs. contest, high point the football, or adjust mid-route. He will be a quarterback's best friend. </p>   <p>Note - 3.6 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/lif3noah/status/1820238564547838036 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1308507' first='Will' last='Marlin'] is a physical tight end with strong hands. Marlin displays good initial quickness off the LOS with a good ability to create separation at his breaks due to good change of direction, balance, and burst. He has solid speed and athleticism with smooth route running. Good hand-eye coordination and body control to adjust mid-route, high point the football, win vs contest or rack in towards the sideline. Good run blocking ability, demonstrating good angles, hand placement, and leg drive to create running lanes for the ball carriers. He can play inline, Y, or H-Back. </p>   <p>Note - Multi Sport Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Willmarlin1/status/1823083650038088000 </div></figure>     <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1217763' first='Myreion' last='Taylor'] brings an impressive mixture of speed, athleticism, and physicality to the position. Taylor displays good quickness and acceleration off the line of scrimmage, eating up space quickly. He can create separation out of his breaks due to good change of direction (COD), body control, and burst. Good hand-eye coordination, body control and concentration to catch vs contest. Off the catch, he's a dangerous YAC threat due to COD, body control, balance, and burst to turn up the field instantly and break tackles. Taylor is a willing blocker inline or out in space with good hand placement, pad level, and leg drive to create running lanes.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Offer List: Arkansas Tech</em>,<em> Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Fort Hays State & Missouri Southern State</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.4 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/D1myreion/status/1816966301014712803 </div></figure>    <p></p>

The 2024 season in the Natural State is just weeks away, with Week Zero starting on August 25th. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to impact the upcoming season. That said, here are five tight ends that I expect to have a breakout season that catches the eye of college coaches and recruiters even more.