New Names: 8 Traitsy TE Prospects

The TE position has been revolutionized in the modern era of football. Now more than ever, TEs are catching more and more passes, but they still play critical roles as blockers. They are the true Swiss army knives on the gridiron and come in all shapes and sizes. Here are 8 in GA with some impressive traits.    Kaden Lawson is a rare measurables prospect at 6'7 205. He is just a puppy physically, supporting space on his frame to add plenty of weight. He has been listed as heavy as 225. He doubles as a basketball player, showing indications of athleticism. His long strides allow him to eat up grass and get downfield in a hurry. He will have to bulk up to hold his own as a blocker, but willingness is not an issue. He mirrors defenders well and isn't afraid to seek contact. Lawson is super lowkey right now, but his combination of physical traits, upside, and willingness as a blocker is more than intriguing.     Sure-handed WR prospect with some of the more impressive route-running and pure pass-catching tape out of all the TEs in Georgia this fall. Only came away with 18 receptions on the year, but showed solid explosiveness off the line, snappiness at the top of his routes, and the hands to control the ball through contact. Doesn't show a whole lot of reps of in-line blocking, but has room to add to his tall frame and bulk up. Ellenburg is absolutely a strong senior breakout candidate.     Productive two-way player for Centennial who might project best as a true HB-type player given his shorter frame. He gets several opportunities with the ball in his hand in the open field, thanks to his sure hands in the flats and the deceptiveness to leak out from his in-line spot. He is a true bowling-ball player, wasting no time trying to dance around contact and instead, dropping the shoulder and forcing the action. He is an explosive athlete with quick feet, allowing him to scamper for yards in the short areas. Klein is a rising senior sleeper who is more than worthy of small-school attention.     Big-bodied TE prospect who could be a late riser on the recruiting trail. Should be viewed more as a block-first TE, but he isn't shabby as a pass catcher and has good enough spatial awareness to settle in soft spots. He possesses the mass and drive to move defenders off the ball and escort them through the turf. Hand placement can be touched up a little, but ultimately his ability to move people is enough to compensate. Norman is big and strong, which you can't teach.     Dylan Henton is a tall, lanky TE prospect who is lowkey on the recruiting trail as of now. He has been listed between 180 and 200 and likely falls closer to 200 on that scale. He moves his weight well and has plenty of room to add more mass. Henton is a good athlete at his size and flashes solid explosiveness in his breaks. He has a massive catch radius and helps his QB out a lot by leaping to snag the ball over his head. Henton has little to no recruiting buzz right now, but a 6'4 TE prospect with solid athleticism and plenty of room for bulking potential should.     Tall, lanky TE prospect with a baseball background. Ainslie is super thin at this rate with plenty of room to develop into a stronger player. He is listed at 6'5 200 now. He has a large catch radius, but it's his movement in space that catches my eye. He has some serious giddy-up, paired with his long strides allowing him to gradually create separation and get going after the catch. The initial tools are there for college programs to harness. He is a D1 caliber TE prospect who is just scratching the surface.     Max Patterson is another basketball athlete with elite measurables. He is listed at 6'6 220 with solid bulk, but is still lanky. I really like how he looks as a blocker at this point. He drops his hips to get solid leverage against defenders. He is light-footed enough to mirror and brings his feet at contact, allowing him to escort defenders down the field and ultimately through the turf. He is a big target as a receiver, but he is best as a blocker at this stage. I expect FBS schools to get involved here before all is said and done.     Mason Hall already holds an early offer from Missouri State, and it certainly won't be his last. Hall flashes real impressive verticality, maximizing his catch radius by climbing the ladder to pluck the ball. Ball skills look borderline elite at this stage when you factor in his ability to track and catch the ball through traffic. As a blocker, he arrives with good pad level and has the flexibility to sink in his hips and dig out defenders. Hall has all the tools to be the full package at TE and is a candidate to receive some major recruiting buzz this offseason.

The TE position has been revolutionized in the modern era of football. Now more than ever, TEs are catching more and more passes, but they still play critical roles as blockers. They are the true Swiss army knives on the gridiron and come in all shapes and sizes. Here are 8 in GA with some impressive traits.