Scouting the Top 2027 Prospects: Tight Ends

We'll release our next 2027 rankings update next week, covering all the stock-risers and new additions that tell the story of that update. However, the elite prospects often get missed in those updates, as those players are often already so highly-ranked that there isn't much room for them to jump to "stock-riser" status. Here, we're breaking down some of the elite 2027 tight ends in North Carolina.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scouting the Top 2027 Tight Ends</h2>   The top end of the 2026 tight end class is so impressive. For the second year in a row, we could have a tight end finish as the top overall prospect in the state. Beyond that, we have a handful of future FBS tight ends, something we can't always say in a class. Here, we'll break down the best of the bunch.    A truly elite tight end prospect, Dollar has the attention of some of the country's top college programs. Not only was he one of just two tight ends to go over 1,000 yards last season, he's also second among returning pass-catchers in yardage. He's a willing blocker who can line up in the slot, in-line, or even out wide.     Hawkins is a high-upside, raw prospect, and we're higher on him than most. He's elite with the ball in the air, and though he's a strong blocker, he doesn't line up much inside. He's one of the most physically-impressive prospects at the position in the state, and should have no issue transitioning to the college level.     We initially had Easter ranked as an edge rusher, but he's kept his weight down, and we like him best as a powerful blocker and strong route-runner at the tight end position. He's one of the shiftier big guys in the state, with remarkably nimble feet and the ability to win off the line. He's a developing blocker, but his strength should make that an easy transition.     Carmack is listed as a receiver on some sites, and it's true that several schools are recruiting him as such. We like him as a tight end, assuming he puts on a bit more weight. He excels at getting vertical and using his long frame to high point the football. There's some technical development that will need to happen before he lights up college defenses, but the physical profile is elite.     Selfishly, we hope Alderfer—who is a standout pitcher with elite stuff—sticks with football. He's one of the better blocking tight ends in the state and is often used as an H-Back or inserted as a lead blocker. He has a ton of projectable traits, and he doesn't operate down the field often, and that's a part of his game we think could be easily unlocked as a senior.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Potential FBS Tight Ends</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1252939' first='Hayes' last='Brawner'] | Millbrook   [player_tooltip player_id='718315' first='Hudson' last='Nolden'] | Palisades   [player_tooltip player_id='1125763' first='Alex' last='Haywood'] | Providence   [player_tooltip player_id='1572063' first='Kenneth' last='Best IV'] | Atkins   This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, reevaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.

We'll release our next 2027 rankings update next week, covering all the stock-risers and new additions that tell the story of that update. However, the elite prospects often get missed in those updates, as those players are often already so highly-ranked that there isn't much room for them to jump to "stock-riser" status. Here, we're breaking down some of the elite 2027 tight ends in North Carolina.