#TN2025 Rankings Breakdown: Tight Ends
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The evolution of the tight end position here in Tennessee has gotten better and deeper over the last few years and our upcoming junior crop looks as good as ever with at least two national prospects listed below and several…
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Continue ReadingThe evolution of the tight end position here in Tennessee has gotten better and deeper over the last few years and our upcoming junior crop looks as good as ever with at least two national prospects listed below and several others with futures ahead on the collegiate gridiron.
Sharing the load at Baylor with a future Big Ten pass catcher, Sparks is a budding star at tight end, sporting all the athletic and physical traits to develop into a dynamic receiver that can work the intermediate routes or stretch the defense deep. The Red Raiders rising junior stepped into the spotlight further last year as a sophomore, showing glimpses of dominant play and the skill set to grow further on the collegiate gridiron. Sparks is more of a flex tight end than an in-line blocker but the Chattanooga native has the upside to develop in the area further. His ability to line up in a variety of areas while having the size and speed to work deep down the field makes Sparks such an intriguing talent that has just about every Power Five program in pursuit.
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If you’re looking for a dependable pass catcher that does just about everything right on the football field, Owens is your guy! A reliable receiver with mitts for hands and the ability to line up in a variety of ways, Owens is as sure as a prospect that we have from our #TN2025 class. The Tornadoes junior offensive talent is well built physically along with sporting good speed and the unique skill for consistently getting open. Owens is a mismatch nightmare for the opposition as defensive backs tend to be too small for him and linebackers tend to be too slow. Look for this East Tennessee pass catcher to see his recruiting stock rise as his workload will expand this Fall with a top senior quarterback throwing to him.
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Mattingly has yet to become the main focus on offense for the Hawks but that should change this Fall with this 6’5 tight end stepping into a lead role, becoming the quarterback’s possible go-to target and the team’s best playmaker. A two-sport star for his Green Hill school, Mattingly is a good athlete that runs well after the catch while also providing a large target for his quarterback. The Hawks junior tight end can be a mismatch problem for the opposition as he can line up out wide and compete against smaller or slower defenders. Mattingly has also added needed weight this off-season to not only fill out his frame further but develop more as a blocker. Several Power Five, D1 schools are already hot on his trail, so expect to hear more and more about this Mid-Tennessee pass catcher over the coming months.
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The Mustangs are having to replace several key offensive playmakers from last year’s title team, so prospects like Briggs, Jr will be looked upon to step up and become go-to players and I think this 6’5 tight end will be up for the challenge. Tall and long with a wide radius, Briggs, Jr looks the part but also has the athletic abilities to develop into a possible Power Five, D1 prospect with continued development. What I like the most about Briggs, Jr is his ability to shield off defenders but also stretch the field. On film, he shows the potential to become a deep threat but also work the intermediate routes, using his wide radius as a strength. Continued work on the field and in the weight room is needed but the potential and upside is definitely there for this Mid-Tennessee tight end.
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Coming out of East Tennessee, Laisure isn’t a highly known prospect at the moment but after watching his sophomore film and following him throughout this off-season, the Patriots junior tight end has everything it takes to make it into the biggest stage of college football. Standing 6’5 with a physical, stocky frame, Laisure has the look of a combo tight end that can work down field in the passing game but stay on the line and run block. One trait I like a lot about Laisure is his concentration and strong hands. He shows excellent eye control within traffic to haul in the pass but also has the physical body to bounce off would-be tacklers as well. It’s just a matter of time before the interest rises and the offers start flowing in because Laisure is too talented to lay under the radar much longer.
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Eubanks ranks 6th among the tight ends for our first draft but could be someone that moves up in the overall rankings if he puts forth a breakout season this coming Fall. Sporting the size and body of a college tight end, Eubanks was an active guy on the camp scene this summer, putting in the work and trying to further his craft towards becoming the kind of prospect his physical traits suggest. Playing for a run based offense at Oak Ridge, Eubanks hasn’t had the chance to showcase his potential just yet but maybe that changes this season as a compliment to the Wildcats athletic receivers and a key piece in their run game, blocking for one of the best backs in the state. Lots is left to learn about this East Tennessee tight end but the potential is there.
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Little is known at the moment about this Mid-Tennessee tight end but Harper is a natural pass catcher that provides a mismatch problem for the opposition while showing the upside as an excellent run blocker. A safety blanket for his quarterback, Harper is a sure handed receiver that can work the intermediate routes or stretch the field. He sports good speed and the ability to run after the catch. The Bears junior tight end does need to continue working on his agility and explosion while continuing to add more weight. Harper shows the potential to make it into the college game with more work and he should see his workload increase this Fall as he looks to be the Bears top offensive target.
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A big, physically well built presence at tight end, Browning looks the part of a future college football player but he is still raw and developing, however the future could be bright! Learning on the job last year as a sophomore, the Spartans tight end showed flashes of excellent play by providing a large target for his quarterback while having the mobility to work down the field. Browning better suits being your short yardage tight end at the moment as he needs to continue developing his explosion and speed while continuing to learn the game but the raw upside is definitely there. This coming junior campaign will be a great opportunity for Browning to step forward with his game and become the kind of player his talent suggests.
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Coming out of the East Tennessee region, Ross is a multi talented pass catcher with the natural tools to make it into the college game but more work of course must be done before he reaches that plateau. The Red Devils rising junior is a bit undersized at the moment (6’3 215) but he makes up for it with his strong hands and ability to get open on a consistent basis. Ross is a good route runner that also knows how to use his body to gain leverage. He can also run after the catch, so this East Tennessee talent could line up in a variety of ways, providing a mismatch issue against the opposition. More work on the field and inside the weight room must be done by Ross but I can see the upside and I think a breakout junior year is on it’s way as this tight end looks to be the Red Devils top go-to target for the Fall football season.