Underrated Upperclassmen Tight Ends to Know for 2026

With the new year beginning, I'll be starting a new series surrounding underrated upperclassmen at every position. The 2027 class is loaded, which means some kids will go under the radar, and I'm here to make sure they get the recognition they deserve.   Kicking off this new series, I'll dive in and discuss five underrated tight ends who need some respect. All of the ones that I've selected are talented players who have earned starting jobs at their respective schools.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/sgutting.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1675752" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale and former Ravenwood TE [player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting'].</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting'] – Riverdale High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting'] is one of the most interesting prospects in his class, regardless of position. The 2027 tight end didn't produce much in the receiving game at Ravenwood, but is transferring to Riverdale for his senior season, where he should see a lot of targets.   He's purely a projection at the moment, but he has all the tools to be an elite Tennessee high school tight end. Gutting stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 225 pounds, with a longer frame that allows him to put on more weight, which would be ideal for blocking bigger bodies.   The rising senior moves very well and has solid hands, which will serve as another significant threat in the Riverdale offense next season.   Gutting needs to polish things up, but he has the potential to be the No. 2 in-state tight end for his class.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/blewis-crop-397x261-1768945432.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2109602" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Bradley Central TE [player_tooltip player_id='1260422' first='Brady' last='Lewis']. Photo by Bradley Central athletics.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1260422' first='Brady' last='Lewis'] – Bradley Central High School   Bradley Central's [player_tooltip player_id='1260422' first='Brady' last='Lewis'] is a player whom I'm high on heading into next season because of his physical traits and motor. He doesn't get as much attention as he deserves, but he's a good tight end.   He stands nearly 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds, with a 4.65 40-yard dash, making him a mismatch nightmare. Lewis is a fluid mover with impressive footwork and explosion for a tight end, along with his blocking skills.   The 2027 prospect is a willing blocker who shows good technique and physicality. He has all the necessary tools but needs to put it together for his senior season, while also getting more targets.   The loss of [player_tooltip player_id='820949' first='Brayden' last='Carroll'] should help him get more opportunities, and when he does, I think he'll surprise a lot of people.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/ayobo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1909569" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: McCallie School TE [player_tooltip player_id='1857395' first='Axel' last='Yobo'].</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1857395' first='Axel' last='Yobo'] – McCallie School   I was just shown [player_tooltip player_id='1857395' first='Axel' last='Yobo'] recently, but he's a player who intrigues me with his rare blend of speed, fluidity and athleticism in a big body.   The 2027 tight end stands nearly 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds, but is freakishly athletic. The Blue Tornado use him a lot as a sixth offensive lineman due to his excellent skills in that department.   He's extremely quick off the ball, has good technique, is highly physical and possesses solid awareness.   Yobo is a good receiving threat as well; they didn't use him for that too much in 2025. But when he did get the opportunity, the rising senior was dangerous.   He's extremely fluid, has good vision for his position, and solid hands that make him a big-time threat to opposing teams.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-20-2026-3-48-35-PM-crop-1048x689-1768945836.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2109607" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pope John Paul II TE [player_tooltip player_id='1687170' first='Pierce' last='Thigpen'].</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1687170' first='Pierce' last='Thigpen'] – Pope John Paul II Preparatory School   [player_tooltip player_id='1687170' first='Pierce' last='Thigpen'] is another intriguing 2027 prospect with potential, but he hasn't put it all together yet, which keeps him under the radar.   The Pope John Paul II tight end is a gritty blocker with sneaky good receiving upside in a well-built body. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds, with a longer frame that allows him to add weight while maintaining a big catch radius.   Thigpen got minimal touches as a junior, but he always made the most of them. The rising senior moves well, has solid hands, can fight for additional yards after the catch and is a big body who can find holes in the coverage to extend drives.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-20-2026-3-52-44-PM-crop-873x574-1768946039.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2109611" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Farragut TE [player_tooltip player_id='1292338' first='Aaron' last='Heatherly'].</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1292338' first='Aaron' last='Heatherly'] – Farragut High School   There are always a handful of players who come out of nowhere each season and establish themselves as stars. For the tight end position, I think that Farragut's [player_tooltip player_id='1292338' first='Aaron' last='Heatherly'] could become one of those breakout athletes in 2026.   He possesses exceptional tools for a modern-day tight end, while having outstanding physical traits and a well-built body.   Heatherly stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds, boasting a 7-foot wingspan. It's an impressive frame for a receiving threat like himself, but size isn't the only thing that stands out about the rising senior.   Heatherly is a hard-nosed football player who fights for everything on the field, often needing multiple defenders to bring him down. When you combine that with his solid hands and excellent route-running skills, it makes for a very dangerous tight end.

With the new year beginning, I'll be starting a new series surrounding underrated upperclassmen at every position. The 2027 class is loaded, which means some kids will go under the radar, and I'm here to make sure they get the recognition they deserve.