2026 Rankings: Sleeper Tight End’s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I take a look and breakdown a handful of Tight End prospects from the recent 2026 MD Rankings update. These are guys with little to no offers that I see having big senior seasons and will be names to know for colleges still looking to fill out their class at the TE spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1697245"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1707704,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6871204d0769e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rj was a first team All-County TE last season and I expect him to replicate that again this fall. A player I saw earlier this spring who performed lights out and is primed to take off for his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic TE who has good positional size at 6'2"+ 225lbs+ and looks the part out on the field. Capable of playing in multiple spots for an offense. Rj can split out wide as a big WR, inline TE and work the middle of the field, and also work as a move H-back type and create opportunistic match-ups. I've witnessed Rj go vertical and use his athletic ability to go up over top defenders for a big catch. He can also work across the middle and use his size to his advantage, and also work the flats and take a short pass for bigger gains. He is a smooth runner with soft hands and a lot of physical traits that translate wells in today's game. Currently holding an offer from Morgan State, expect Rj to be a name lots of FCS/D2 coaches are talking about this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full Junior SZN highlights right here, check it out - <a href="https://t.co/XK5LwpCDDI">https://t.co/XK5LwpCDDI</a></p>&mdash; Ricardo “RJ” Samuels (@rj_samuels27) <a href="https://twitter.com/rj_samuels27/status/1856058552647069760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1697559"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1707716,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6871204d07763"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was able to get eyes on Noah twice this spring, one of those being at the National Preps Spring Showcase. At the NP Showcase he measured in at a verified 6'3" 200lbs. with a frame that will fill out easily and can expect him to be ~210 range in no time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big WR that I like to make the slow transition to TE as he continues to get bigger and stronger, Noah has a lot of potential to offer to the position. He can play flexed out and use his athleticism and big catch radius to take advantage of being lined up on LBs. A good route runner with strong hands, Noah can work up the seam and get himself open in the flat/short yardage areas. Noah is also a high academic prospect, carrying a 3.5+ GPA and a 1230 SAT score. Expect Noah to be making plenty of plays this fall and would be a no brainer for high academic D3 schools and worthy of an eval from FCS academic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time competing at the National preps showcase <a href="https://t.co/Hca8KxXa5m">pic.twitter.com/Hca8KxXa5m</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1697559' first='Noah' last='Long'] (@LongNoah2008) <a href="https://twitter.com/LongNoah2008/status/1924195275943325943?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1697923"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1707739,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6871204d077f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A do it all TE for the Sallies, Gavin's production may not be as high as others due to being on a loaded team but his impact is strong. Gavin line's up all over the field - playing a slot TE, inline and possibly his most effective spot as a move TE/H-back. Gavin has nice range in his skill set as well. A more than capable blocker both at the LOS or out in space. He has strong hands and big catch radius, getting to passes that are high, low, and wide of his frame. On film, Gavin shows the ability to be excellent in the flats and red zone. A part of his gmae that Gavin shines in is being very impressive in the slip game from the TE spot. Blocking and then releasing/slipping into flats and getting open for effective plays. He does it often and does it to perfection. This leads to him being versatile and efficient as a player. Valuable in the play-action and boot game; as well as creating mismatches and helping set up plays in in both the pass &amp; run game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gavin has a lot of traits that make him a valuable TE in the right offense. He is high academic prospect too carrying a 3.8 GPA. I like Gavin as a sleeper to make lots of under the radar big plays and be a great pickup for a D2/D3 school that runs a pro-style offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my Junior season highlights. <a href="https://t.co/mPV6qlCt1w">https://t.co/mPV6qlCt1w</a><br><br>TE/LS<br>6'3<br>215 <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDelleDonne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDelleDonne</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1697923' first='Gavin' last='Toto'] (@GavinToto) <a href="https://twitter.com/GavinToto/status/1866276970293530825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1697582"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1707728,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6871204d07888"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jake is a player who I could see having a monster senior season and making a jump in the next round of MD 2026 rankings. A big body WR who will transition to TE at the next level, he is well slapped together with broad shoulders. He had a strong showing at the National Preps Spring Showcase this May and had some nice verified numbers. Measuring in at 6'3" 214lbs, running a 4.72 40 and a 8'10" SBJ - Jake is an impressive athlete for the position. He plays with a lot of juice as well with twitchy hips, quick feet and nice burst /explosiveness in &amp; out of breaks. A strong route runner too, he is quick to change speeds, drop his weight and change direction. Jake displays strong hands and tracks the ball nicely, able to adjust his body to the pass and use his size to shield defenders from the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big body kid, with a frame that will add nice strength, and impressive athleticism equals big potential for Jake at the flex TE spot. I think as he continues to get bigger &amp; stronger I can see Jake being impactful in the blocking game as well and be used inline too. A strong sleeper candidate this fall, I can see FCS/D2/D3 all being in on him after his senior year &amp; whoever gets his commitment is getting a steal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Varsity junior/ sophomore year WR highlights <a href="https://t.co/5UyX88P3Fw">https://t.co/5UyX88P3Fw</a></p>&mdash; Jake miller (@Jake2Miller) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jake2Miller/status/1889386000763462029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1697995"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1707749,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687124ef31064"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elijah is a player with tons of upside and could be in line for a breakout senior season. He is still raw to the game (basketball kid) and brings a lot of athleticism and energy to the game which leads to a lot of room to improve and show out this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an impressive frame, good height and excellent length, Elijah passes the eyes test as a prospect. Elijah shows best working the middle of the field and the flats. Can run drags, crosses, and multiple out breaking routes to get open and use his size to his advantage. He shows soft hands and a big catch radius, able to go up and grab the ball out of the air. Able to play inline and work the seam and also as a slot TE where he is most effect in those crosser/flood routes. Elijah is also a willing blocker and I can see that even improving in strides this season. I am high on Elijah's ceiling and look forward to seeing how big of strides he's made as a prospect this fall. He could easily be a big sleeper and break out prospect for Frederick HS in the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">S<br>Some highlights from last weekends <a href="https://twitter.com/SUhornetsFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SUhornetsFB</a> 7on7 <a href="https://t.co/sjQVNtNB8w">pic.twitter.com/sjQVNtNB8w</a></p>&mdash; Elijah (@Elithecreat) <a href="https://twitter.com/Elithecreat/status/1929976588235370891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->