PRZIA 2026 Rankings Update: A Closer Look at the Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 rankings received its preseason update this week, with some big changes across the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To kick off coverage for this update, Rob and I will be pumping out positional breakdowns where we highlight the players who saw their stocks rise and all the new names to watch out for!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out all the TEs who made it to our rankings and watchlist below along with a closer look into the stock-risers and new additions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2407","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2483","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c0413fab466"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Stock-Risers:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em style="font-weight: bold">[player_tooltip player_id='1221928' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'], 6</em><strong><em>'7" 220 lbs - Waukee (<a href="https://x.com/Evanjacobson12_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukee junior [player_tooltip player_id='1221928' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] has emerged as one of the fastest-rising 2026 prospects in the country in the offseason. Since earning his first offer from Iowa State back in March, Evan has added bids from Texas A&amp;M, Kansas State, Mizzou, Miami, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Louisville, Arkansas, Florida State, LSU, Auburn, Purdue, Penn State, West Virginia, Boston College, and Colorado... so yea he's opened a few eyes here and there. Evan's size and athleticism make him an instant mismatch no matter where you line him up, especially up in the redzone, where his 6'7" frame makes him impossible to cover. On top of being a threat as a pass catcher, Jacobson also looked like an extension of the offensive line when blocking as an in-line tight end, showing a mean streak and the physicality to finish off blocks. With Evan entering a bigger role on the Warrior's offense next season, expect him to make a push for the top overall player in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17866979/65ae8e4942102f1768d11cd5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c0413fab5f7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">New Additions:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1370695' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'], 6'5" 190 lbs - Grand View Christian (<a href="https://x.com/brayden_hoben" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flying in as the #3 tight end and #18 prospect overall is Grand View Christian's [player_tooltip player_id='1370695' first='Brayden' last='Hoben']. Brayden is a player who popped on tape immediately and continued to impress with every clip. What really stood out to me about Brayden is how versatile he is as a receiver, especially for his size. Hoben was moved all across the formation, including as X receiver, tight end, and even the slot, and he projects well as a flex TE, depending on how his frame continues to fill out. He is great at using his lengthy 6'5" frame to elevate over defenders to win the 50/50 balls and showed that he has the strength to hold on to catches through contact. He also impressed with how fluid he is for a tight end, displaying great route running and good change of direction when going in and out of breaks. Very underrated speed— burned a couple of defenses deep and knows how to track the ball well in those situations. Very interested to see how Brayden continues to develop in these upcoming years and wouldn't be surprised to see colleges take notice with a big junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17689355/653dc60202bc690908f2e93d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c0413fab61d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1370717' first='Kane' last='Mahler-Moreno'], 6'2" 210 lbs - Woodward-Granger (<a href="https://x.com/Mahlerk59">Twitter</a>)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodward-Granger's [player_tooltip player_id='1370717' first='Kane' last='Mahler-Moreno'] joins the rankings as TE5 and the 79th overall 2026 prospect in this round of updates. Mahler-Moreno is a physical, reliable target who hauled in 23 catches for 301 yards as a sophomore while also flashing as a blocker. What stood out about Kane is his willingness to make the tough catches over the middle of the field. He has a strong, sturdy build at 6'2" and 210 pounds, which makes him a handful to bring down and allows him to fight through tackle attempts to tack on yardage after the catch. Under the radar prospect primed to make some waves this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17925241/65585f5abee1200d00d44173' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c0413fab63b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1369784' first='Dru' last='Vasquez Diaz'], 6'0" 210 lbs - Assumption (<a href="https://x.com/DVD_25_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assumption's [player_tooltip player_id='1369784' first='Dru' last='Vasquez Diaz'] was a very interesting prospect to evaluate, mostly due to his versatility on the offensive side of the ball. Dru landed as TE6 and #97 overall on our 2026 board but could project as an ATH who can play a TE/FB/H-back type of role. Dru displays a great skillset as a pass catcher with soft hands that catch everything headed his way and a great sense for finding the empty zones in the defense. Good burst after the catch. Vasquez Diaz also had a few clips where he lined up at RB and was able to run the ball on short yardage situations. Receiving threat, a good blocker, can run the ball, and has defensive upside... definitely one to keep an eye on!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18305875/6616bfc6c4659c3295d18456' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c0413fab656"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->