5 Underrated Senior Tight Ends to Watch in 2026

The Tennessee Class of 2027 is one of the most talent-rich recruiting classes in recent memory, featuring quality prospects at every position, including several who are flying well under the radar. In this new series breaking down Tennessee's top 2027 recruits, I'll spotlight the most overlooked athletes at each position as we enter the most critical stretch of the recruiting calendar.   Next, here are five rising senior tight ends in the Tennessee Class of 2027 who have flashed big potential throughout their careers. Whether it's inconsistency, a limited body of film or questions about size, each hybrid pass catcher on this list is not receiving the respect they deserve heading into their senior seasons.   <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-873x574-1775798505.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2168745" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Alcoa TE [player_tooltip player_id='1292338' first='Aaron' last='Heatherly'] at his previous school.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1292338' first='Aaron' last='Heatherly'] – Alcoa High School   There are always a few players who burst onto the scene each season and establish themselves as stars. For the tight end position, I think that Alcoa's [player_tooltip player_id='1292338' first='Aaron' last='Heatherly'] could become one of the breakout athletes in 2026. He has the impressive tools of 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. He 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.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/Photo-Jun-03-2026-1-26-17-PM-crop-2211x1452-1780511249.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2222177" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale TE [player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting']. Photo from The Daily News Journal.</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. The 2027 tight end committed to Mississippi State earlier this year, which should be the tell-tale that he isn't underrated. However, I don't think people realize just how good this player could be if he takes that next step in his senior season. He transferred to Riverdale several months ago and has already shown noticeable progression into what he could be: an elite in-state tight end.   He's just a projection at the moment, but he has impressive tools and could develop into one of the top all-around players in Tennessee. Gutting stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds, with a longer frame that allows him to put on more weight, which would be ideal for blocking bigger bodies.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2049304277114363916?s=20 </div></figure>   The rising senior moves well and has solid hands, which will serve as another huge threat in the Riverdale offense. He needs to polish up pieces of his game, but Gutting has all 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/3/2025/09/ayobo-crop-610x401-1780510922.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2222173" /><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   [player_tooltip player_id='1857395' first='Axel' last='Yobo'] from McCallie is one of the more underrated players heading into the 2026 season, but he has the potential to break out as a top tight end in Tennessee. He's an intriguing prospect with that blend of speed, fluidity and size. The rising senior is well-built, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 225 pounds, with a lean, athletic frame that allows him to maintain his movement.   The 2027 prospect is freakishly athletic, possesses sound technique, good hands and upside as a receiver. I like his potential as a pass catcher, but his calling card is blocking, where McCallie used him as a sixth lineman last season. Yobo is being coached extremely well in that department, giving him something to lean on.   He has the potential to be a complete player, but he did not see targets last season with how many mouths that offense had to feed. But, with the graduation of their WR1, Yobo could have an excellent senior season with an increased role.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/125-Teddy-Graff-crop-703x462-1775600138.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2167154" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ensworth TE [player_tooltip player_id='1952678' first='Teddy' last='Graff'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1952678' first='Teddy' last='Graff'] – Ensworth School   [player_tooltip player_id='1952678' first='Teddy' last='Graff'] is next up for Ensworth, possessing an intriguing skill set as a tight end. He's one of the best blockers at his position but has receiving upside given his size. The rising senior stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 220 pounds in a long, athletic frame that gives him a huge advantage over most defenders.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2054655509609796030?s=20 </div></figure>   He's too big for defensive backs, but has a little bit of wiggle to shake linebackers. While Graff isn't the most explosive player, he doesn't need to be given his size and strong hands. Ensworth used him primarily as a blocker, where he excels, but the 2027 prospect has shown the ability to be productive when they do throw his way.   Graff should see more targets this upcoming season, where he could break out as one of the top tight ends in his class. He needs to develop in certain areas, but there is a lot of upside and potential to be a productive Division I player.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/jevitts-crop-359x236-1756574092.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1862216" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Sequatchie County 2027 tight end [player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts'].</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts'] – Sequatchie County High School   [player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts'] is one of the more intriguing tight end prospects heading into his senior season with Sequatchie County High School. He has a lot of nice traits, tools and the size to be a contributor at the Division I level. The rising senior has gotten better throughout his high school career, but has one final campaign to showcase his talents to college coaches across the nation.   He offers good size, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds with a lean, athletic frame that makes him the perfect flex tight end. Evitts is not your traditional player at this position, as he is almost used like a receiver. SCHS has lined him up out wide, used him on screens and even put him in the slot at times. He is agile enough to play there, but big enough to do the dirty work as a blocker.   I'd like to see Evitts become more fluid and elusive, but he has become better in that area over his high school career. He is somewhat raw in certain areas, but the upside is certainly there. The 2027 prospect has worked hard this offseason and is due for a big senior season that should get coaches' attention.

The Tennessee Class of 2027 is one of the most talent-rich recruiting classes in recent memory, featuring quality prospects at every position, including several who are flying well under the radar. In this new series breaking down Tennessee's top 2027 recruits, I'll spotlight the most overlooked athletes at each position as we enter the most critical stretch of the recruiting calendar.