Dual-Purpose Midwest Tight Ends for 2020

Dual-purpose tight ends are some of the most sought after athletes for the next level. Tight ends that can block and catch are worth their weight in gold to a college football program. They have taken the place of the traditional fullback as an H-Back blocker but also are a real receiving threat coming out of the backfield. The versatility of the tight end position is apparent by the variety of places they align, anywhere from on the line of scrimmage to flexed or even split out wide. Tight ends are also valuable to collegiate programs as special teams players due to their athleticism. <strong> </strong> <strong>Micah Riley     6’5” 230     TE     West Bellevue, Nebraska</strong> Riley is both an outstanding blocking and receiving tight end. Executes blocks just as effectively when on the line of scrimmage or flexed out; really stays after the defender. Micah is not only sure handed when catching the football but gets those valuable yards after reception college coaches look for in a dual-purpose tight end. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38670" first="Andre" last="Dollar"]     6”5” 220     TE     Mustang, Oklahoma</strong> Versatile is the best word to describe [player_tooltip player_id="38670" first="Andre" last="Dollar"]. This talented athlete towers above the opposition. He can align as a traditional tight end, a slot receiver, a wide out, or an H-Back. His coaches like to get Andre matched up on shorter defensive backs to run the fade route, but he is a big target in any passing scheme. Andre needs to play a little lower at the line of scrimmage when blocking but is particularly good as a lead blocker when aligned the backfield. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34300" first="Ryan" last="Miller"]     6’6” 215     TE     Kenston Chagrin Falls, Ohio</strong> Miller is the perfect tight end for a spread offense. He is a tall and lanky receiving tight end that is smooth and fluid when running patterns. Ryan has good hands and can go up in a crowd to get the football. He is especially dangerous to opposing defenses as the inside receiver in trips or twins formation. Even though his blocking is limited due to the type of offense, from the off the ball tight end position he locks on to edge defenders to secure the perimeter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23946" first="Eli" last="Raridon"]     6’6” 220     TE     West Des Moines Valley, Iowa</strong> The state of Iowa is known for its tradition of producing quality tight ends and [player_tooltip player_id="23946" first="Eli" last="Raridon"] is no exception. Eli is just as good of a basketball player as he is at football. He has a great frame and will get bigger and stronger by his senior season. Raridon is a solid blocker that uses his hands to get into the frame of the defender and keeps his feet active. He has soft hands and is especially effective on play action passes. He is a must to go to guy in the redzone. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37533" first="Max" last="Whisner"]     6’6” 240     TE     Lee’s Summit, Missouri</strong> There is no doubt Max will play at the next level. The biggest question is whether it will be on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. A physical football player that loves contact and whose motor never quits. As a tight end, he takes pride in his blocking and is a good knee bender. Max puts the death grip on defenders and finishes every play. He has good hands, puts the ball away after receiving it and likes to run over defenders. Do not expect him to dodge and weave but go straight upfield toward the endzone. As mentioned, Max also excels as a rush end on defense. College coaches will love this guys tenacity. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20888" first="James" last="Kyle"]     6’5” 220     TE     Wilmette Loyola Academy, Illinois</strong> Kyle looks bigger than his 220 lb. frame. He is an impressive blocking tight end that plays with good pad level for a tall athlete and gets good movement at the line of scrimmage when base blocking and doubling up on combination blocks with his offensive tackle. He also shows his athleticism by getting to the second level picking up stacked or scraping linebackers. James is a physical kick out and lead blocker when playing H-Back. James is a very sound receiving tight end that can be moved around in order to get a height mismatch. Kyle is a reliable possession and redzone receiver. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="11041" first="Elijah" last="Brown"]     6”5” 230     TE     Huber Heights Wayne, Ohio</strong> This is one of the most intimidating junior tight ends in high school football. He looks the part and plays like it. Elijah is both physical and fast and is a real load to bring down in the open field. He loves to run the seam route and take a hit, as well as give one, after the reception. He is a very aggressive blocker at the line of scrimmage and absolutely destroys defensive backs in the open field. Brown is on of those tight ends that will never come off the field due to his toughness and athleticism. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49819" first="Teigan" last="Martin"]     6’7” 215     Mayer Lutheran, Minnesota</strong> Teigan is a tall drink of water that will only get stronger and fill out before graduating. He has excellent ball skills and demonstrates the ability to catch inaccurate or underthrown passes. Big “T” is more of a long strider as a route runner and uses his height to his advantage against shorter defensive backs. He gets vertical in a hurry as he glides by defenders. Teigan is a good route runner out of the backfield, especially when going in motion. Uses his hands well and is more of a position blocker due to his height and long arms. He is a two-way player that doubles as an edge pass rusher on defense.