McDaniel saw quite the jump in our final rankings after having a tremendous off-season and senior year for Thunder Ridge and has been slated as the second tight end in the class just behind Washington State commit Drew Byrd Drew Byrd 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Rocky Mountain | 2026 State ID . The Utah State commit is sure handed, has a huge catch radius and high point abilities while also an elite level blocker on the outside that finishes blocks and is violent from the H-Back/Y position or attached on the line. A do it all player with the ideal size/frame moving to the next level, he has a high ceiling and should be a household name in the Mountain West in the coming years.

Recent Commitment: Utah State

McDaniel is one of the top tight ends across the western region and had a breakout Junior year that set him up with FBS opportunities before committing to the Aggies. He is a physical and fluid player from the position with a huge catch radius and strong hands in traffic and can play at multiple spots offensively and is a big time get for Utah State as he held national offers.

Recent Offers: Dartmouth, Wyoming, Utah State, Pitt

Notes: The top tight end across Idaho, McDaniel has had a very busy Spring and reeled in offers from the likes of Oklahoma State, Utah State and Dartmouth among others. He is another prospect that is balanced both when stretching the field and blocking in the box and is violent with the ball in his hands.

Recent Offers: Dartmouth, Pitt, SDSU, Nevada

Recruiting notes: The Thunder Ridge product is one of the premier tight ends on the western region, and has seen his recruitment pick up even more in recent weeks. He has hauled in several FBS offers bringing his total to 11 and has a OV set up with Oklahoma State. He has a good blend of blocking ability with a big catch radius and is able to stretch the field and is very fluid for his size in space and an overall complete prospect for the position.

McDaniel has had one of the more productive starts to the off-season of any recruit across Idaho. Coming off a stellar Junior season for Thunder Ridge, he is one of the top tight ends on the western region and has seen his recruitment take off gathering offers from Oklahoma State, Air Force, Army and Fresno State. He is a violent blocker in the run game and shows he can line up both inline, in the slot or the backfield and is a devastating blocker in the box and on the perimeter. He has a huge catch radius, strong hands in traffic and does a good job at boxing out smaller defenders in the red-zone. His commitment will be one to watch as we move through the spring and Summer, as he is one of the states fastest rising recruits.

Recent Offers: Oklahoma State, Air Force, Army

McDaniel checks into our rankings as the number 3 tight end in the 2026 class and just inside the top 25 overall within Idaho. He is a big bodied downfield threat with a huge catch radius and does a good job at boxing out defenders in the red-zone with high-point abilities and tracking skills. McDaniel is a physical ball carrier that looks for contact in the open field and is a smooth athlete for his size that also shows he is a willing blocker in the box. He has the ideal frame for the next level and will only continue packing on way through his final prep season. He is a no-brainer next level prospect and should start gathering college interest in the coming months.

McDaniel checks into our ranks as a top 5 tight end within Idaho, and just outside the top 15 overall. He is a big and physical playmaker that excels at making plays in traffic with strong hands, a big catch radius and can box out smaller defenders downfield. He also shows the ability to block downfield when needed from either the slot or when in a inline position and provides good versatility either in the slot or with his hands in the dirt. As he continues to grow and develop, he should be able to find a home at the next level on either side of the ball as he has the growth potential to continue to grow and pack on more weight/mass to his long frame.

McDaniel is another long prospect that shows great in line blocking technique to go along with a big target area. Gets his hands on football that are off target and has nice run after the catch ability. Improving in his route running and showing why he is a plus athlete this summer. Going to be a big time player for Thunder Ridge this season