JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Rivals Five-Star is in the books and now it’s time to start the position breakdowns and give thoughts on each prospect who competed at the summer’s biggest event. Let’s continue the discussion with tight ends.
DASAAHN BRAME
While the tight end group in Jacksonville was slim, it actually proved to be a very impressive showing and Derby (Kansas) four-star Dasaahn Brame led the way. In the one-on-one portion of the event, Brame was almost flawless. Not only did Brame not let a ball hit the ground, but he made his reps looks effortless, creating separation easily and flashing elite hands.
Brame measured in at 6-foot-4, 218-pounds and looks like a million bucks. He is a perfect example of the modern tight end as a primary receiving threat. Brame will likely spend most of his time split out wide and is unlikely to be tasked with blocking many Big Ten defenders.
The new Oregon commit boasts great acceleration off the line and gets vertical quickly. From there, he uses quick twitch movements and leverage to snap off routes and change directions. Brame got open often in Jacksonville and displayed soft hands to reel in passes. Has great length with an 80-inch wingspan.
*****
CORBYN FORDHAM
A hair over 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 215-pounds with a 77-inch wingspan, Fordham’s measurables are not necessarily elite. But it is important to note Fordham was the only 2026 tight end in the group, so there is time for his body to develop and grow.
Despite his measurements, there was not a tight end that had more contested catches than Fordham. The Jacksonville native will need to improve his route running – he tends to get handsy – but Fordham catches the ball at a high clip and that’s what matters. He is the No. 4 tight end in the 2026 Rivals250 at this time, and if he can clean up some of the technical skills, his ceiling is very high as a pass catcher.
*****
TAE’SHAUN GELSEY
The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Gelsey was one of the biggest surprises of the event. Gelsey won all but one of his many one-on-one reps in Jacksonville. The twitchiest of the tight end group, Gelsey had some of the best routes in the position group on the day. A lengthy athlete with 34-inch arms and an 80.5-inch wingspan, he has an impressive catch radius.
The Florida commit won a majority of reps with crisp route running, leaving defenders out of position and trailing behind, but ones that were contested were still in Gelsey’s favor due to his reach and body control.
*****
NATE ROBERTS
Roberts is much more of a traditional style tight end, measuring in at 6-foot-4.5, 243-pounds. With a thicker frame, the four-star is not as smoother of a mover as some of his peers, but he is instead more comparable to a train on the tracks. When he gets moving, he does not create much separation in the route, but a physical style of play gives defenders fits.
The Ohio State commit will absolutely be valuable in the Big Ten as a blocker but will also add value in his receiving. Roberts’ 78-inch arms are not the longest you will find, but he has more than enough tools at his disposal to succeed at the position.
