TN2028 Watch List: Strong Tight End Class

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Diving into our rising junior class, here we take a look at the tight ends, which is a group that appears quite strong right now and growing. We don't have a lot of depth right now but that should change in time but it's already looking like a good class of safety net pass catchers with a lot of these guys destined for the Power Four, D1 playing stage. </h2>     (Several more tight end prospects will jump on our radar over the coming months and year but right now, these are the guys we have either scouted, seen in person or know about going into the 2026 football season)   The state of Tennessee is starting to become a hotbed for tight ends and right now, the 2028 crop looks to fall in line with the growing trend. The depth hasn't been built yet but I believe it will after the coming season but there is some serious talent here with every name mentioned in this article destined to compete on the Power Four, D1 or FCS playing stage in the near future. I can also see every name mentioned here inside our upcoming junior rankings.    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1201841' first='Braxton' last='Rein'] - Baylor   - Rein broke onto the scene in a big way last year as a sophomore where now he is established as not just possibly the top tight end in this state but a national prospect as well. The Red Raiders tight end has everything you want from athleticism, ball skills, size and speed. Rein is difficult to handle in open space while being a plus blocker that can work on the line or be flexed out. The great thing about Rein is that he is still young and developing himself and the overall game, so while he is already mature, the ceiling is still high. He already holds 20 plus offers with most of them being from high caliber Power Four programs. I only expect his stock to grow over the coming year to become one of the best tight end prospects in the nation.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/brein2.jpg?w=985" alt="" class="wp-image-2054780" style="aspect-ratio:0.9619238476953907;width:258px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Tennessee SI</figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1847747' first='Bennett' last='Conyers'] - MBA   - We have watched through these off-season months this Nashville area tight end surge onto the recruiting scene in a major way, becoming a national prospect and a high level recruit from our TN2028 class. The Big Red pass catcher displays some wow type plays on film from both his ability to catch the ball but his blocking as well. Conyers may be the most physical tight end from our rising junior class. He is also an excellent athlete that gets into his routes quickly then shows the speed to separate from his defender. There is a lot to like about Conyers and his potential moving forward. The great thing is that the Big Red offensive talent is still growing into his body with a lot of room for growth. It should be fun to watch him perform this Fall and continue developing into a top tier tight end prospect.    - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1068717' first='Lucas' last='Cornwell'] - Smith Co.    - Already stepping off the bus looking like a college prospect, Cornwell is a massive young man (6'7 230) that is still growing into his body, so it will be interesting to see if he remains at tight end moving forward. As things sit currently with my scouting, I do see a future for the Owls big man at tight end, especially if he can continue working on his agility and speed. What he immediately brings to the field is blocking and physicality that can be seen in his sophomore film on the line or flexed out. Inside the passing game, Cornwell works as an intermediate pass catcher that works the middle of the field or in short yardage situations. The Owls junior has the physical tools worthy of the next level but if he can increase his athletic traits, Cornwell might form into a true Power Four prospect.    - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1092711' first='Jake' last='Payne'] - USJ   - Ever since making the official move from quarterback to tight end, Payne has seen his stock rise significantly and I don't foresee it slowing down anytime soon. Physically, the Bruins junior tight end looks the part and has everything you look for at his position. Payne stands roughly 6'6 230 pounds and he is still forming into his body, so imagine what he will look like once he supplants himself on the college level. Besides having the college look and size, Payne is also a good athlete that eats up a lot of ground in his routes while presenting a big target to throw at. He displays excellent hands and the ability to catch amongst physical contact. There is a lot to like about this West Tennessee product and his future in college. Payne already holds an offer from Mississippi St. but they won't be his last Power Four opportunity.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/jpayne-e1781199341729.jpg?w=488" alt="" class="wp-image-2149465" style="width:219px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1912208' first='Wright' last='Martin'] - CPA   - One of the biggest offensive stock risers over these off-season months has been this CPA tight end that has landed several big offers and I expect many others to follow suit over the coming months and year. Martin is a versatile weapon that can be utilized in several ways from blocking on the line or flexing out in the slot while also bringing high football intelligence to the playing field. Standing roughly 6'3 245 pounds, Martin is a compact, thick pass catcher that runs better than you may think for size. His overall look isn't the most ideal by college coaches, however Martin makes up for it with some of the best hands from our junior tight end class. There is still plenty of development to go for Martin but I can see why he holds several strong offers already and is being pursued by many others.    - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='2087506' first='J.T.' last='Allen'] - Maryville   - A potential breakout prospect for the coming 2026 season is this East Tennessee tight end that brings a nice combination of athleticism, size and skill to the playing field but has yet to break through on the recruiting scene. I think that changes here soon as Allen presents too many strong traits and tools to be looked over much longer. The first thing you like about the Rebels junior is his size. Allen comes in at 6'5 245 pounds with a thick frame and good arm length that translates well to the next level. He is also a deceptive athlete that can improve in that department over time. Run blocking is his forte right now but there is pass catching upside with Allen that I believe will be flushed out further once in college. It will be interesting to watch how Allen has progressed this coming season and how high he raises his overall stock.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/jtallen.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2102378" style="width:209px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1704680' first='Jackson' last='Walters'] - Alcoa   - Transferring from Knox. Webb to Alcoa for his final two years of high school ball, Walters is a multi talented pass catcher that has the physicality and size to become an outstanding blocker but also enough athleticism to become a pass catching weapon. Physical and thick with strong hands, Walters has the girth needed to hold up on the college level along with upside in the passing game that could be flushed out further during his time with the Tornadoes. I think his addition to the Alcoa offense this Fall will be big as potentially their best skilled blocker and a safety blanket underneath that can produce first down gains. Walters does need to gain more agility and speed but the building blocks are in place to become a highly pursued 2028 tight end target.    - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1694360' first='Jack' last='Clinite'] - Lipscomb Academy   - Playing a secondary role last year as a sophomore, Clinite is ready to step into the limelight this Fall as the Mustangs starting tight end and take his game to new heights. If he is able to do so, Clinite can become a highly pursued recruit that may have a shot to make his way into the Power Four ranks. Standing 6 '5 215 pounds, Clinite has the height, length and frame desired on the next level along with excellent athletic upside that should start to flourish this coming season. The Mustangs junior has the ability to stretch the field or work the intermediate routes. He is also a willing blocker that will get in the muck and mix it up with physicality. Clinite does need to get much bigger and stronger but the athletic tools and traits are there to be developed into a top flight tight end prospect that eventually earns tons of offers.   - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1864058' first='Braden' last='Bird'] - William Blount   - We don't have a lot of recruiting traction yet for this East Tennessee tight end but I think that can change after the 2026 season, especially if Bird takes that next step in his prospect progression. Standing 6 '4 225 pounds, the Governors junior pass catcher has the look and size to compete on the next level along with athletic upside that has yet to be fully developed. When you turn on his junior film and spring clips, you see someone that runs well in and out of coverage and tends to find open slots in the defense to make receptions. Bird has the potential to flex out and be used in a variety of ways on offense. Getting bigger and stronger should be the main focus for this East Tennessee tight end while also enhancing his agility and speed. If Bird can continue to develop at a proper rate, gaining tons of college offers is very possible, even from the D1 level.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/bbird.jpg?w=399" alt="" class="wp-image-2226581" style="width:244px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='2210095' first='Hayden' last='Shultz'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman   - There isn't a lot of buzz right now for this East Tennessee tight end but I think that changes after the coming season where Schultz should start to establish himself as a legit college prospect. Sporting excellent size (6'6 205) with length and a great frame for added weight, Schultz presents a lot of physical abilities and traits that translates well to the next level. Looking over the brief clips he has, the Highlanders rising junior shows the ability to stretch the field due to his speed as well as work the short intermediate routes. Schultz is a big target to throw at for his quarterback. He could develop into an outstanding red zone threat down the road. I see potential with this Smoky Mountain tight end that should start to come to light throughout the coming 2026 season.    - - - - -    Six More to Track: (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='2219605' first='Max' last='Turner'] - Ensworth, (TE/HB) [player_tooltip player_id='2111418' first='Caplan' last='Crews'] - Houston, (WR/Flex) [player_tooltip player_id='2210421' first='Ethan' last='White'] - Carter, (WR/Flex) [player_tooltip player_id='1718018' first='Jaxon' last='Young'] - South Gibson, (WR/Flex) [player_tooltip player_id='1657328' first='Kyle' last='Pearman'] - Franklin, (HB/Flex) [player_tooltip player_id='1078776' first='Derrick' last='Dragoo'] - Blackman   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/jclinite.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2102386" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></figure>