Beehive Buzz: Tight Ends

In this edition, we take a look at some Tight Ends in the state.    Wesley is a big-bodied athletic Tight End who can be detached from the line, be a big slot, a move Tight End, and lined up as an extension of the Offensive Line in run situations. Wesley is a fluid mover and a mismatch for opposing defenses. He's too gifted to be paired with a Linebacker and Wesley is too big for most Safeties. He can operate down the seam for chunk yards and short area targets to move the chains. Wesley knows where to sit in the soft spot of zone coverages and with his frame, he brings a large catch radius and is a safety blanket for his Quarterback. Most players at his height are limited athletically, but Wesley has great movement and light-footed for a player of his physical size and style. Wesley has strong hands and easily drags defenders for a ride. His frame allows him to add on an additional 20 lbs without compromising his athletic nature. As a blocker, Wesley is a mauler. He is physical in the run game and doesn't shy away from doing the dirty work. He is a physical and chippy player who brings a unique skill set to the receiving game, he's a chess piece that can be deployed in numerous ways.     Niu is an athletic playmaker who can be a mismatch when lined up as a big slot. He transitions upfield with little wasted motion and easily finds the weak spot in the defense. He will easily catch outside of his frame, that extension gives him a nice catch radius, and can adjust and contort his body. Niu has strong hands and does a nice job working his way back to his Quarterback in scramble drills. Niu has an excellent change of direction and movement patterns, he has a quick acceleration which allows him to slip past opposing Linebackers. Niu is a physical player who contributes in run and pass blocking and holds up well to long-developing plays. He shows his physicality in this aspect and his selflessness helps the team in all aspects.     DeJong is a big-bodied athletic mover who is tough to bring down. He has excellent movement patterns and has great footwork for a player at his position. He is fluid in and out of his breaks and uses his athleticism to win at the catch point. DeJong has excellent ball-tracking and concentration skills. He has strong hands and will pluck the ball out of mid-air and easily catch it outside of his frame. DeJong is the epitome of the future at the Tight End position. He will work the middle of the field and attack vertically down the seam. DeJong is a true mismatch and a chess piece that can be lined up anywhere. Perhaps what DeJong enjoys most is his physicality, which shows up in spades as a blocker. He will play through the whistle and has the strength to take on defenders larger than him.     Richards was a bright spot for American Fork this past season. Richards developed into a reliable passing option and his work down the middle cleared the underneath routes. He has excellent ball skills and showcases strong hands and you can see his versatility when he grows into his frame. Utilized as a big slot caused a lot of havoc on opposing defenses, but he isn't just a receiving option at the position. Richards shows good technique as a blocker and is a willing and dependable blocker. The switch to Tight End was fruitful and unlocks a whole new avenue for him. With a full offseason and gaining additional weight, Richards is primed for a breakout 2025 season. American Fork loses a lot of production to graduation and Richards should benefit from that.     A converted Wide Receiver, Taylor shows great ball skills for the position and part of the ever growing trend of the athletic move Tight Ends. He does an excellent job at getting vertical and has nice hands as a receiving option. Taylor is a physical blocker and uses solid techniques. His physicality also comes through after the catch, Taylor has the ability to break tackles and pick up chunk yards. Taylor is a safety blanket for any Quarterback and his ability to break loose for additional yards allows him to be a chain mover and helps an offense in all phases.    Those are some of the Tight Ends to make a note of and remember this offseason and for the upcoming 2025 season.

In this edition, we take a look at some Tight Ends in the state.