The 2024 recruiting class is all wrapped up so it’s time to see which teams won each position. Today we continue our position-by-position look at the top classes with the tight ends.
NOTE: College transfers are not included in this list but transfers from within the 2024 class – a situation created by the late coaching changes – will be factored into this series.
1. NEBRASKA
Not only do the Huskers have star power, as Carter Nelson was heavily involved among the top tight end projections in the class, but they also have depth to the class being brought in by Matt Rhule. Nebraska has a pair of four-stars, with Ian Flynt flanking the headlining Nelson, as well as a three-star addition in Keelan Smith.
Individually, Nelson is of course among the most intriguing given he will be transitioning from eight-man football to the Big Ten. Dominant locally, he did it all at 6-foot-5 and held his own in the Polynesian Bowl in January.
Flynt is ranked as the No. 22 tight end and is built traditionally for the position at 250 pounds, though he can make plays down the field as well.
Smith has an H-back build at 6-foot-3, complementing the others with true production as a jumbo wide receiver who can make plays at the catch point.
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2. GEORGIA
The Bulldogs have been bringing in sets of tight ends seemingly every single recruiting cycle under Kirby Smart, and the post-Brock Bowers era begins with another pair headed to Athens.
Jaden Reddell, ranked the No. 6 tight end in the class, was a national recruit and Georgia went into rival SEC territory and beat out home-state Missouri for his commitment. Reddell’s varsity work is more reminiscent of a flexed-out wide receiver than that of a tight end, though the program’s website lists him up to 235 pounds.
Colton Heinrich has much more traditional tight end experience, though the fellow four-star was displayed almost like a utility man at one of south Florida’s top programs, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons. He would work split out, attached, from the backfield or even as a wing with a balanced skill set as both a blocker and pass-catcher.
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3. MICHIGAN
The Wolverines’ haul is led by the top tight end recruit close to home, Brady Prieskorn, who checks in at No. 8 overall at the position. Hogan Hansen, also a four-star, pairs with him as another taller, leaner tight end as both check in at 6-foot-5 or better and short of 220 pounds.
Each has their share of big-play potential, as evidenced by Prieskorn hauling in 18 touchdowns on just 57 catches since the start of 2022 and Hansen working well on both sides of the ball as a true physical presence.
Few programs utilize the position like the defending champions have, and these varied skill sets can each share value and potentially the field down the line.
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4. USC
If height is the first box to be checked at the position, USC‘s bunch is first off the bus. Walter Matthews is a towering 6-foot-7 with the ability to work as an extension of the offensive line right away, though he flashes big-time with that natural catch radius. Joey Olsen is built more like star Trojan freshman Duce Robinson, just two inches shorter than Matthews, though he brings more of a split-out skill set to Los Angeles.
The physical balance between this duo should allow for flexibility under Lincoln Riley as the Trojans continue to potentially work the tight end more into the offense as they transition into the Big Ten.
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5. OREGON
The Ducks’ pair of blue-chippers were recruited close to home. A.J. Pugliano, a compact and modern type with some balance to his frame, checks in as the top overall prospect in the state of Oregon. Roger Saleapaga is taller, yet leaner as the No. 2 recruit hailing from the state of Utah. The former worked both sides of the ball well at the prep level, but looks natural in space and especially with the ball in the air. Saleapaga brings even more production to the table, with polish and physicality to his game along the way.
Oregon had two tight ends finish among their top seven pass-catchers as juniors in 2023, so Duck fans may not have to wait long to see the new duo get some work.
