2026 Film Room: Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tight end position has a chance to be one of the strongest in recent memory in the state of Illinois with multiple headliners including trio power 4 standouts at the top.  Here we dive into some of the best pure tight ends in <strong>2026 Film Room: Tight Ends</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'] (Mt. Zion – 6'7” 230)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is a dual sport athlete that if he wanted to play hoops would be a legit mid-major post after leading his team to the state final four.&nbsp; His future is on the gridiron and he is a superstar there!&nbsp; Massive frame at 6'7" 230 pounds and is almost Gronk like in certain respects.&nbsp; Such soft hands as a natural pass catcher.&nbsp; Excellent on routes to the edge getting leverage on defenders and tight roping the sideline staying in bounds.&nbsp; Smooth route runner that snatches the ball out of the air.&nbsp; Super long arms allows him to have a big catch radius especially over the middle and in the end zone. Also uses those long levers in the blocking game where he can drive defenders with his frame and physicality.&nbsp; Likes to block!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801700' first='Mack' last='Sutter'] (Dunlap – 6'5” 215)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sutter is the ultimate jack of all trades in this class.&nbsp; At 6'5" 215 pounds he could easily play numerous positions at the next level.&nbsp; On his tape you see him as WR, TE, QB, and OLB.&nbsp; At the next level he will probably project best as a tight end.&nbsp; Runs with fluidity like a wide out with tight end size.&nbsp; He has excellent hands over the middle and is crisp getting in and out of cuts.&nbsp; Glides past defensive backs and was particularly effective on mid-range in breaking routes.&nbsp; Keeps his feet in bounds tight roping on the sideline.&nbsp; Willing blocker as well.&nbsp; As a quarter back he brings good arm strength, smooth motion, and solid accuracy to the table.&nbsp; Creativity in and out of the pocket.&nbsp; Runs well when the play breaks down showing off his speed and athleticism.&nbsp; Also is a solid outside linebacker getting up field after the QB or coming down with sound form tackling in run support.&nbsp; What can't this kid do?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399937' first='Gavin' last='Mueller'] (Wheaton St. Francis – 6'6” 240)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mueller is an interesting story as he hasn't played a down of high school football yet, but already has P4 offers.&nbsp; We have seen the St. Francis product on the hardwood and always thought he projected best as a football player.&nbsp; He will now play this season.&nbsp; We broke down his tape from Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Wisconsin camps.&nbsp; Strong body with a great frame at 6'6" 240 pounds.&nbsp; Natural pass catcher with his hands.&nbsp; Smooth route runner that gets separation from the safety or linebacker in coverage.&nbsp; Adjusts well to the deep ball in the air.&nbsp; Can box out on shorter routes and does a nice job of getting leverage on his defender.&nbsp; Crisp in and out of routes especially for someone new to the game.&nbsp; Smooth route runner that is just scratching the surface!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399999' first='Tyler' last='Minda'] (Minooka – 6'1” 175)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The value with Minda comes in his versatility as a H-Back/TE type.&nbsp; Can line up as an in line blocker and be physical at the point of attack.&nbsp; Runs with the ball some showing toughness in between the tackles.&nbsp; Solid hands and good release making short catches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801716' first='Santino' last='Whitehead'] (Willowbrook – 6'3” 200)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitehead is a TE with a good build that can really block with a ton of physicality.&nbsp; Catches the ball with his hands on short routes and is a chain mover.&nbsp; Good redzone threat that can high point balls or use quick out routes scoring with leverage.&nbsp; Boxes out well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400856' first='Aidan' last='Hantson'] (Lincoln Way East – 6'0” 200)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hantson is a 6'0" 200 pound tight end that is a very physical blocker who plays with a mean streak.&nbsp; You can tell he takes a lot of pride in his blocking.&nbsp; Does it both in line and on the perimeter with how well he locks in on the defender and pushes them back controlling where they go or just throwing them to the ground.&nbsp; Not a ton of catches in the tape, but there were two super impressive 50+ yard scores where he went over the middle on post routes catching it and transitioning right to the run with ease.&nbsp; He is a smooth athlete with plus speed for a tight end!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401626' first='Richie' last='Darr'] (Bishop McNamara – 6'5” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darr is a two sport standout that recently caught our attention as a basketball prospect, but he is a legit football prospect as well. Has great size at 6'5" with a long and lanky frame.&nbsp; Will need to add strength, but has the frame to do it.&nbsp; Smooth route runner with very soft hands.&nbsp; Natural pass catcher that is primed for a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->