2026 Rankings Update: Top Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest edition of the Prep Redzone Illinois Class of 2026 has been unveiled.&nbsp; Here we dive into the top players at each position.&nbsp; Today we look at <strong>2026 Rankings Update: Top Tight Ends</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801700' first='Mack' last='Sutter'] (Dunlap)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sutter is one of the top tight ends in the country.&nbsp; The 6'5" 215 pound tight end is such a smooth route runner.&nbsp; He is crisp getting in and out of his cuts.&nbsp; Natural pass catcher that reels in the pass and then gets downfield.&nbsp; He can high-point passes in the endzone, adjusts well to the ball in the air, and has an innate ability to find weaknesses over the middle vs zone.&nbsp; Can line up in line or outside being effective equally.&nbsp; Solid blocker at the line along with downfield for fellow offensive weapons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'] (Mt. Zion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a junior Anderson reeled in 46 catches for 524 yards and 8 scores for the 4A runners up.&nbsp; He has a huge frame at 6'7" and 230 pounds.&nbsp; Can line up both on the line or outside.&nbsp; Big time jump ball threat that high points them snatching them out of the air before the DB can have a shot at it.&nbsp; Wide catch radius.&nbsp; Has some vertical pop as well finding the seams of the defense.&nbsp; More than capable blocker with his tenacity for blocking downfield.&nbsp; When he has the ball in his hands after the catch or running with the ball he is tough to bring down with the power he runs with.&nbsp; Has some Gronk like qualities with way he plays and runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399937' first='Gavin' last='Mueller'] (South Elgin)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mueller is a 6'6" 240 pound tight end that primarily showed off his blocking on tape.  Good in-line player that can move bodies up front in the run game powering with his lower half while latching on to the defender. In drill tape he shows pass catching ability with crisp routes and vertical potential.  Broad shouldered and powerful dual sport athlete has his best football ahead of him after not starting until his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623276' first='Will' last='Vala'] (Downers Grove North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vala is a 6'4" 220 pound tight end that is a nice combination of receiver and blocker.&nbsp; Crisp route runner that is excellent after the catch with his ability to break tackles and has good speed.&nbsp; Takes short catches for long gains.&nbsp; Good hands over the middle and is a smooth route runner.&nbsp; Physical in the run game as a blocker at the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zack Becker (Stevenson)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Becker put some really nice tape together from his junior season.&nbsp; He is a true dual threat in-line tight end.&nbsp; Big frame at 6'4" and 195 pounds although he looks thicker than that.&nbsp; Loved what we saw out of him as a vertical threat over the middle.&nbsp; He is excellent at getting off the line with ease or sometimes faking like he is going to block and then releasing down the vertical seam.&nbsp; Excellent hands, adjusts to the ball, and does a nice job of catching it in stride.&nbsp; Chain move that can be a safety blanket for first downs.&nbsp; Very good blocker that you can tell takes pride in it especially in the run game where he drives from his lower half regularly moving defenders back multiple yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585186' first='Simon' last='Kodosky'] (York)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kodosky was a big reason for York getting to the state title game.&nbsp; The 6'2" 175 pound tight end is a vertical threat that can line up on the outside.&nbsp; Such a smooth athlete that is a good route runner and makes plays downfield with his speed and ability to adjust to the ball in the air.&nbsp; Soft hands on passes to all levels.&nbsp; Finds weakness in the defense sitting down there for his QB to find him.&nbsp; Capable blocker as well, but is a receiving threat first.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->