2026 RANKINGS UPDATE: Tight End Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FALL UPDATE:</strong> We have officially released a new set of rankings for the class of 2026 in Arkansas. In this article, we will showcase the 2026 tight ends with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position in each class, including other segments. For the tight ends, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2407","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68bafae649162"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1636059"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-68bafae64b73d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1636059' first='Dawson' last='McFadin'], the Arkansas State commit, was our biggest riser at the position. McFadin is a versatile player who can line up at H-Back, slot, and inline. He displays solid hand-eye coordination and body control to adjust mid-route. He is a willing blocker in space, using good hand placement to control and actively displacing defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.4 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Dawsonmcfadin42/status/1961231488550162859","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Dawsonmcfadin42/status/1961231488550162859 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560974"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-68bafae64b7d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1560974' first='Paxton' last='Strong'] is an underrated tight end prospect. He rises to 181 overall and 5th at the position. Strong displays a solid release off the snap, due to his solid acceleration and foot quickness. He is a willing blocker, capable of setting the edge with good pad level, upper body strength, and leg drive to displace defenders or get out in space. As a pass catcher, he exhibits good hand-eye coordination, body control, and strong hands, allowing him to adjust mid-route or catch the ball in contested situations. Add him to your recruiting board. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.2 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PaxtonStrong/status/1959349462561599501","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PaxtonStrong/status/1959349462561599501 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1609929"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-68bafae64b855"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1609929' first='Cooper' last='Billingsley'] is another tight end prospect to add to the recruiting board. He consistently establishes control of the edge on outside-zone runs by maintaining good pad level, angles, and hand placement, driving with active feet. Billingsley displays good hand-eye coordination and body control, allowing him to adjust mid-route and gain yardage after the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/billingsley2026/status/1960705617196191850","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/billingsley2026/status/1960705617196191850 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1609933"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-68bafae64b8ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1609933' first='Jermaine' last='Conway'] is versatile and effective. He can line up inline or at H-back. He is a willing blocker who can move into space to create running lanes along the edge and near the boundary. Conway is an athletic tight end capable of dominating at short to intermediate levels. He possesses good hand-eye coordination and body control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JermaineC2026/status/1937650298807287878","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JermaineC2026/status/1937650298807287878 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607718"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-68bafae64b94d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Treyvon Mackintruch is 494th overall and 10th at the position. He showcases solid hand-eye coordination, body control, and strong hands to adjust mid-route or catch against the contest. Post-catch, he shows solid COD, burst, and contact balance to get upfield and break tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/tr1zzy3/status/1936590219530080720","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tr1zzy3/status/1936590219530080720 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TIGHT ENDS TO WATCH:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1517922' first='Quintin' last='Roy'] (Pine Bluff)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1616337' first='Qulan' last='Green'] (Barton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1392948' first='Noah' last='Butler'] (North Little Rock)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='1629379' first='Kambren' last='Miller'] (Farmington)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='1271826' first='Nicholas' last='Haulmark'] (Russellville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='1540636' first='Caleb' last='Harrison'] (West Memphis)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='1864245' first='Tylen' last='Laycock'] (Prairie Grove)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->