Film Room: Illinois 2027 Tight Ends

Our focus now is on the class of 2027!  We are breaking down tons of film on rising junior prospects ahead of their upcoming seasons.  Each position group will get a breakdown leading up to the release of our massive 2027 rankings update in August.  Here is 2027 Film Room: Illinois Tight Ends!    Williams is the clear top tight end in the class.  He has elite size at 6'5" 210 pounds.  Wide catch radius which he shows on a regular basis.  Can high point passes in the end zone.  So difficult to bring down with the ball in his hands with his combination of speed and power. Lines up mostly wide, but when in-line he gets off the line with ease and is a monster over the middle.  Seam routes and finds the weakness in the defense over the middle.  Snatches the ball with his hands and makes contested catches look easy.  Technically sound player that is an excellent route runner and solid blocker.     During Coles sophomore season he racked up 43 catches for 896 yards and 6 scores.  Nearly 100 yards a game on the year.  He is the definition of a flex TE with his huge frame and big catch radius.  Excels on comeback routes where he regularly would make the catch then explode past the defense for scores.  Also a major factor downfield with his ability to high point and win 50/50 balls.  Adjusts well to the ball downfield.  Plays with physicality and snatches the ball out of the air.  Power forward body type that knows how to use his strengths to his advantage.     One of the more hidden gems of the tight end class is this 6'7" 220 pound dual sport star. He is a ranked basketball player that might have a brighter future in football. Elite size and high points the ball in the air downfield. Vertical threat that runs very well for his size lined up out wide. Redzone threat with his size and positioning. Slips into the secondary and overall has good hands.     Christensen is a strong bodied 6'2" tight end that has good hands and positions his body well. Threat going over the middle on short passes and can hit the seam as well. Solid blocker that can move bodies up front.     Long is a 6'1" 220 pound blocking tight end.  Can line up in the traditional TE spot, H-Back, or even full back.  Physical blocker that moves bodies in the run game.     Breuer is a 6'3" 215 pound tight end.  Well built in-line player that is a solid catcher on short routes.  Can stretch the field vertically over the middle.  Physical blocker that is an adequate road grader up front.     Kemp is a 6'1" 195 pound H-Back that has a strong frame and solid hands.  Sneaky as a route runner.  Solid blocker.     Castagnoli is a 6'2" 190 pound in-line TE.  He is a physical blocker that is primarily used in that way.  Solid athlete with nice frame that will help a team looking for a blocking tight end.     Niermann is a 6'2" 225 pound tight end from southern Illinois.  Good hands over the middle.  Solid in-line blocker.     Roberts is a 6'5" 205 pound move tight end. Best as a blocker that is also good on short catches and a threat in the redzone with his size.     Solecki is a 6'1" 195 pound tight end that is a blocker first and foremost.  Technically sound blocker that is like a sixth offensive lineman.

Our focus now is on the class of 2027! We are breaking down tons of film on rising junior prospects ahead of their upcoming seasons. Each position group will get a breakdown leading up to the release of our massive 2027 rankings update in August. Here is 2027 Film Room: Illinois Tight Ends!