PRZIA ’26 Rankings Update Position Breakdown: TE

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   Prep Redzone Iowa wraps up its recent run of rankings updates with the 2026 Class. The group grew by more than 150 student-athletes and plenty of movement occurred. You can get a better sense of how it came together <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/adding-context-to-prep-redzone-iowa-26-rankings-update/">HERE</a>.   Now that we've completed the process, it's time for position breakdowns. Please keep checking back as we highlight kids you'll be hearing a lot from on not-too-far-off Friday nights.   We'll kick things off with senior tight ends:    Jacobson was Prep Redzone Iowa's highest-ranked uncommitted senior prospect at the July 2025 update. It's not because his options were insignificant. Jacobson officially visited Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Missouri, Stanford and Iowa State. He finished up with the Irish and Cyclones. Jacobson has been deliberate about his recruiting process and continued playing high-level AAU basketball this summer. The interest from top schools for football speaks to his tremendous upside on the gridiron. His athleticism is at a very high level athleticism as evidenced by him being a first-team all-state hooper. Jacobson runs well with a frame capable of adding good weight in college without the loss of agility and quickness. He has long arms and can jump. He could end up being an absolute nightmare in the red zone.     Lashbrook stands out for his projectable frame and athleticism, the starter kit for being a productive tight end. Those traits also translate to success on the offensive or defensive lines. We have him listed among our tight ends right now based on his upside at that position, which Lashbrook illustrates on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17812956/67292067bf323254c1880f9b">junior highlight video</a>. The opening clip shows him running by and then over defenders. He's asked to play guard in the eight-player game at times, which really allows for appreciating his blocking. Lashbrook is technically sound with his footwork, and his hand placement and activity greatly aid the process. While Lashbrook is raw and needs to be projected from the eight-player game, his potential his among the greatest in Iowa's 2026 Class.     Student-athletes capable of playing tight end usually possess the skills to find success at other positions. Sometimes that's as a receiver. Edge and outside linebacker also can be options. You see that multi-positional potential when watching Hoben's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17689355/67202d4517341fdb999f6198">junior highlight video</a>. You also witness why stardom could be ahead when he arrives at South Dakota State, where he'll start his career as a tight end. His 43 receptions for 809 yards and seven touchdowns indicate that's a good location for him. So, too, does his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17689355/67202d4517341fdb999f6198">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Hoben is a slick route runner with long arms and leaping ability to win contested throws. He also displays impressive speed for his size and a frame capable of adding strength while keeping the athleticism.     Cantrall helped the Rams capture their fourth consecutive Class 5A state championship last fall. South Dakota State saw enough to offer him a scholarship, which he accepted. Cantrall is advanced as a blocking tight end with an opportunity to develop as a receiver. He runs and moves well, which give him an opportunity to be a really complete player at the position. You can witness his ferocity as a blocker and his upside as a pass-catcher during the first two clips on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17765086/6751d2d2ff2eb2cb40b074c2">11th-grade highlight video</a>. With the Rams graduating productive pass catchers, Cantrall could increase his targets from last season, when he hauled in 19 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.     Sanchez-Evans was one of the state's top tight ends a year ago, when he caught 28 passes for 344 yards and six touchdowns. He also flashed potential on defense with 24 solo tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and a sack. Colleges could prefer him on that side of the ball. You see the frame and athleticism that makes Sanchez-Evans a multi-positional prospect when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18001469/671ff4323d5600e41bd35abb">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Starting in-line, he's a slick route runner down the seam and also delivers when asked to block in the running game or pass protection. Sanchez-Evans shows he can diagnose plays and flow to the football when lining up at linebacker.     McLaren is a difficult player to place in a positional box. He lists fullback and defensive end on his Hudl page. They certainly are logical possibilities. The South Dakota State commitment might best fit as an H-Back in modern offenses that have phased out the fullback position. It's a hybrid fullback/tight end. It emphasizes a player's blocking ability while also making him a threat to run a route. McLaren's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15078279/67223d280d72f28d4ea3e72b">11th-grade highlight video</a> is entertaining. He often starts out at fullback in an I-Formation. From there, he gashes defenses after a handoff or running routes. His blocking can be devastating. It feels like McLaren is just scratching the surface of his considerable upside, which should excite Trojan and Jackrabbit fans.

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