Scouting The Class: TN2027 Tight Ends

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If any college staffs are looking for high level, talented tight ends, our in-state crop has them. This year's group might be the best we have ever had in Tennessee and there is still room for growth. Here we breakdown the senior tight end class from our Power Four level guys all the way down into the under the radar prospects that show college potential. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be fun to watch how this position progresses throughout the 2026 season because what I see here could be the best crop of tight ends we have ever had here in the Volunteer State. Everybody we talk about below are legit college level players with several of them destined for the Power Four level while others have a shot to get there one day with continued development. If these tight ends had more depth, it might contend for the best offensive group within our TN2027 recruiting class, that's how talented this crop truly is and can be.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Tier Talent&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything in this position begins with Oak Ridge senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483481' first='Malik' last='Howard']</strong>. This East Tennessee product is the top tight end this year due to his potential on the next level and potentially beyond. Howard is a natural pass catcher that can be used multiple ways from in-line blocking towards flexing out. He is an athletic guy that runs well while presenting some of the best hands in the state, so it's no wonder just about every Power Four program in the country has offered or is in-pursuit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I do see a little bit of a separation between Howard and the rest of the tight end class but it's not by far. Right behind the Wildcats big man is several high caliber pass catchers that bring big time potential and talent to the football field and while they may be highly recruited prospects, more time is needed to develop in one way or another.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2181943,"width":"291px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5220524646872298","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/mhoward-crop-762x500-1777228754.jpg?w=761" alt="" class="wp-image-2181943" style="aspect-ratio:1.5220524646872298;width:291px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three guys in particular with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577078' first='Parker' last='Newman'] </strong>from Sevier Co., <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679806' first='Colton' last='Johnson'] </strong>from Upperman and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402854' first='Judah' last='Lancaster'] </strong>from Brentwood Academy, a new addition to the Volunteer State by way of IMG Academy are high caliber prospects that have impressive offers lists. Newman is a two-way prospect that could be viewed by some as an edge linebacker but his ball skills and ability to run after the catch at tight end has some of the best programs in the state after him. Newman needs more time to fill out into his frame but the potential is certainly to form into a feared flex pass catcher in college.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the same stuff said about Newman can be placed upon Johnson as well. Headed into his senior year at Upperman, Johnson is the team's best two-way prospect that has upside at edge linebacker but most programs in pursuit like the Bees big man at tight end. I do lean towards Johnson turning into a quality tight end in college but I also like his potential as well on defense. Lancaster is a true in-line blocking prospect that does well after the catch using his physicality and size to lead the way. This guy is a big target that I feel could be dangerous within the intermediate routes as he continues to mature.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just recently committing to play his college ball at Mississippi St., senior tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting'] </strong>is an intriguing talent as you look into the future. This Riverdale big man brings a nice mix of athleticism and physicality to the football field that translates well to the next level. Gutting might be one of the better blockers we have in this tight end but I think he has more upside in the passing game than has been shown so far in high school.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirkwood senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316743' first='Parker' last='Keenan'] </strong>is dripping with upside but is still a work in progress. He has really started to come on over the past year where this Clarksville native is starting to realize his potential and form into the kind of talent that can excel on the collegiate gridiron. Keenan is a big target with a wide radius that presents problems for the opposition in the middle of the field. He also runs well after the catch and I see a speed profile here with the Cobras big man that can increase with further development.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1955786,"width":"294px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5251006142766363","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-15-2025-5-48-59-PM-crop-700x460-1760568610.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1955786" style="aspect-ratio:1.5251006142766363;width:294px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kirkwood tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1316743' first='Parker' last='Keenan']. Photo from his Hudl.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Next Level (D1 Caliber Prospects)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This next crop of tight ends may not be on the same level as those written about above but this group is talented with potential to become highly valuable players on the college stage. Some of these guys may not have the ideal athleticism or size or are simply flying under the radar but they have the skill sets and talent to warrant more and potentially bigger looks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first guy that pops out to me and is rising fast on the recruiting scene is Alcoa tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292338' first='Aaron' last='Heatherly']</strong>. I actually think this East Tennessee product could be on the verge of becoming a D1 guy as he has picked up several solid offers over the past few weeks and interest from many others. What stands out about Heatherly is his physical size and ability to produce after the catch. The Tornadoes senior sits as one of the better blockers in this class with a lot of unfulfilled upside in the receiving game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more underrated tight ends we have in this class appears to be McCallie senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1857395' first='Axel' last='Yobo']</strong>. What has this Canadian native sitting under the radar is his height. Yobo only stands about 6 '3 but he is jacked, sporting a great physical look along with some natural athletic abilities that play well on the college stage. Potential is there for Yobo to turn into a fierce run blocker while providing athletic upside in the pass game that works in the intermediate routes and down the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two East Tennessee tight ends in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260422' first='Brady' last='Lewis'] </strong>from Baylor and Sequatchie Co. senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts'] </strong>are two different prospects that bring upside to the field that can be developed further within a college system. Lewis is more of your H-Back style guy that can flex out and work the seams and the middle of the field while Evitts is more of your in-line blocker that can handle the intermediate routes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1862216,"width":"267px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5235216323446061","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/jevitts-crop-359x236-1756574092.jpg?w=358" alt="" class="wp-image-1862216" style="aspect-ratio:1.5235216323446061;width:267px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sequatchie County 2027 tight end [player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis is one of the best workers in this class that consistently looks to improve. He is a good athlete that runs well after the catch while sporting some of the best hands in the state. Evitts is a physical young man with a wide radius that presents a strong target for his quarterback. The Indians senior may be one of the better run blockers at this position along with upside to develop his athleticism and down the field receiving over time. Both these tight ends are solid prospects that have room for growth on the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ensworth senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1952678' first='Teddy' last='Graff'] </strong>has mainly received attention and interest from FCS programs but I think he has potential to form into a D1 quality guy by the end of his final campaign with the Tigers. What stands out about this Mid-Tennessee product is his athletic profile and his size. Graff stands about 6'5 220 pounds with room to get bigger and stronger. He also runs well after the catch while presenting his quarterback a big, wide radius target to throw to in open space. I personally think that Graff's best football is ahead of him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Developmental But Talented&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- We always have prospects that need time to fully develop into the kind of player that can make an impact on the college stage and this section features several tight ends that fit that category. These pass catchers bring several good traits to the field that translate well to the next level but also may be lacking a few tools that have them under the radar and lightly recruited at this moment. Opportunity is there however for these tight ends to perform at camps this summer to boost their stocks while also playing at a high level this Fall to force college coaches to look their ways.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What you will find in this section are several guys that fit the “flex” role and players that could work receiver style routes. Now all these guys needed further developments with their games and continued work in the weight room to gain more size but the raw tools are in place to become serviceable, if not starters on the collegiate gridiron.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If any college staff is looking for a mismatch problem for the opposition and someone with strong long term potential, they may want to look harder at MBA senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582353' first='Brayden' last='Atwood']</strong>. This Nashville native may have some of the best receiving hands in the state. He is a natural pass catcher that runs well but is lacking the body mass right now to sustain himself play by play in college. UMass did get on board recently with his first offer but I expect several more to come his way in the near future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2181946,"width":"249px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/batwood.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2181946" style="width:249px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker Valley senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1893028' first='Luke' last='Hayden'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2005494' first='Julian' last='Douglas'] </strong>from Maryville are two current wide receivers on their respective rosters that I believe will form and grow into college flex tight ends. Both these guys are talented young men that I feel could become impact guys down the road. Hayden stands 6'5 with long arms and the ability to run. Douglas is a physical pass catcher that brings strong hands and contact balance to the field. The Rebels senior fits well at the flex but I could see him growing into a good blocker as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having to sit behind others the past few years, Ravenwood pass catcher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1776850' first='Charles' last='Vlach'] </strong>appears to be the top tight end for the Raptors this season with a nice athletic profile and while he is already garnering a little attention, he can boost that with a strong senior year. Springfield flex tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2047637' first='Bryce' last='Baldwin'] </strong>is a talented prospect that needs time to gain weight and grow into his body but he possesses excellent ball skills along with a nice physical approach to the game of football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One guy I'm interested to see if he has developed his body and game much further is Pope Prep senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687170' first='Pierce' last='Thigpen']</strong>. The Knights tight end has good size (6'4 230) and the look of a college prospect but his film doesn't pop explosive game play or overwhelming athleticism. I do see the upside though if Thigpen can enhance his agility, physicality and speed. BGA senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] </strong>is a tough eval right now due to his height and unfinished refinement. The Wildcats two-way player is still developing overall, so it's tough to see if he will be a college tight end or linebacker but right now, I'm leaning towards the offense where he can be an H-Back style pass catcher that contributes in the pass game while being a solid blocker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two guys in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2165226' first='Mack' last='Lee'] </strong>from Page and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141935' first='Lake' last='Helton'] </strong>out of Trinity Christian Academy are under the radar prospects that I personally see a lot of potential in and think their best football days are ahead of them. Both guys stand about 6 '5 with good length and a frame that can pack additional weight while mainly spending their high school lives at wide receiver. I think they both transition into flex tight ends in college where both could become outstanding mismatch problems for opposing defenses.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2181947,"width":"224px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/lhelton.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2181947" style="width:224px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four developmental guys in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668442' first='Clarence' last='Snodgrass'] </strong>(Nash. Christian), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904858' first='Tysen' last='Dorsey'] </strong>(William Blount), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2090526' first='Brady' last='Wathen'] </strong>(Marion Co.) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608623' first='Griffin' last='Patterson'] </strong>from Ooltewah are long term projects for the next level that have some limitations but could form in quality pass catchers in college. Snodgrass could be the best of the four as he runs well after the catch along with strong hands that show up during contested coverage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dorsey is a natural athlete with good height (6'5) and a long frame that is quite appealing. His problem at the moment is gaining weight. The Govs senior is light in the pants right now and will need to pack on a lot of size to become the kind of flex tight end I feel like he can be. Wathen is a small school two-way guy that fits well in college as a primary blocker that can occasionally provide short route gains. The Warriors senior is a tough competitor though that does a lot of little things right. Patterson has mainly played receiver throughout his career but his game play and film tells me he would be a solid flex tight end that displays run blocking upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You don't find too many deep tight end groups around the country, except for a few states but this TN2027 crop is as good as you may find. This is the best I have scouted so far in my scouting life and the great thing is that most of the guys written about above still have a lot of upside moving towards the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's strong at the top but shows depth as well. Several guys that are lacking offers right now I think will show up more on the recruiting trail during the Fall. I also see several prospects down the list that may have to begin their college careers on the FCS or D2 playing stage but display potential, if developed right, into D1 ball players one day. It's a fun group to scout as I see a lot of guys that present problems for opposing defenses to deal with and try to keep in-check.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When our new senior rankings come out soon, I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 12 or more inside our Top 100, which speaks towards its talent and overall depth. Only one guy in Gutting is committed at the moment, so it will be interesting to see where all these tight ends land in the end. I expect at least a little more than half of this group to sign with Power Four or D1 programs and one day turn into starters that present potential to perform on the pro stage in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2181948,"width":"310px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5242494226327945","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/tgraff-crop-693x455-1777229723.jpg?w=692" alt="" class="wp-image-2181948" style="aspect-ratio:1.5242494226327945;width:310px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ensworth TE [player_tooltip player_id='1952678' first='Teddy' last='Graff'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->