Early Preview of the 2026 Class: Underrated Tight Ends

With the 2024 season behind us, we would like to preview some underrated offensive players in the state's 2026 graduating class. These players have not received the full credit they deserve for the fantastic seasons that they had this previous year and should be considered top prospects in the state for the next season. We will now look at some of the most underrated tight ends set to return next season.    2026 Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='401168' first='Kamden' last='Segall'] offers more than just what you would expect from a typical tight end. Finishing out his junior season with 37 catches for 525 yards and 6 TDs, he was the ultimate chess piece for his Liberty team. He can line up on the line of scrimmage with his offensive lineman to block as well as releasing for his routes. Or he can line up in the slot using his craftiness and precise route running to work around defenders for completions downfield. His hands are reliable and his speed is excellent at his size to burn pass linebackers and safeties in space. Look out for Segall to elevate his game this next season to become one of the best tight ends in the state.      2026 Tight End Alex Dafnis had a breakout season for this Cactus offense this past season. He brought in 54 catches for 716 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, which led his team in all these stats. He is notably very good at making off-script plays, navigating the field to find gaps to make these catches. He has natural hands and great tracking ability to reel in the pass, even with defenders covered on him. He is magnificent in space, with impressive shiftiness and finesse at his size to make smaller defenders miss. He is even more challenging to bring down after contact, as he shows tons of strength when getting behind his pads. Dafnis looks to have similar success next season to help keep his offense as efficient as they were this past season.      2026 Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='1682136' first='Austin' last='Spendlove'] is a tremendous dynamic weapon for his team in both the run and pass game. His junior season statistics included 19 catches for 304 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. He is adept at attacking the ball when it's in the air, high-pointing it and utilizing his strong hands to secure the catch. He is a brilliant route runner, able to consistently find where the void is in the defense for completions. He is also ferocious when he is blocking, looking to bury defenders in the dirt every chance that he gets. Spendlove is one of many returning pieces for this Arizona College Preparatory team, but he will look to be a more centralized piece heading into his senior year.      There aren't many tight ends that are more difficult to bring down in the state than 2026 Tight End Nikolai Procopio. A transfer from Chaparral only playing in 5 games, he still managed to have 16 catches for 203 yards as well as 15 rush attempts for 116 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown. At an already refined frame for the tight end position, he requires an entire defensive group effort to tackle him. He is tough as a nail, bulldozing his way across defenders in the open field and not caring who is in his way. His hands are solid, especially on screen plays, presenting a reliable option for his offense in the passing game. With Procopio's transfer season behind him, he will be a breakout candidate to keep your eyes out for in his senior year campaign.      2026 Tight End Aiden Anaya is an absolute beast in the running game. In ALA-West Foothills primary T formation offense that relies heavily on running the ball, he still managed to bring in 12 catches for 280 receiving yards and 9 receiving touchdowns. What he brings to the table in terms of blocking is invaluable, as he is both a great blocker in space and in line with his offensive lineman. He fires his hands into the opponent's chest pads and gets outstanding push at the point of attack to drive defenders downfield. As a receiver, he provides a mismatch on his opponents in the red zone as he can pluck balls out of the air from right over the top of defenders. Anaya should be seen as a top talent at the tight end position for this next season.

With the 2024 season behind us, we would like to preview some underrated offensive players in the state's 2026 graduating class. These players have not received the full credit they deserve for the fantastic seasons that they had this previous year and should be considered top prospects in the state for the next season. We will now look at some of the most underrated tight ends set to return next season.