2025 TIGHT END/fULL BACK Prospects

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1. COLSTON LOVELAND (MICHIGAN) 6’5” 245 LBS. 

Loveland made an impact as a true freshman starting five games in 2022. In 2023 earned first-team all-Big Ten. A very good receiving tight end that can win vertically. Is a twitchy athlete with good speed and foot quickness to create separation. A good route runner that can line up in the slot or in-line. Thought he was a capable blocker that should only get better in that area. He had more drops than you would want to see. 

2023 STATS:  45 REC – 649 REC YDS – 4 REC TD

2. JACK VELLING (MICHIGAN STATE) 6’4” 241 LBS. 

Velling spent his first two seasons at Oregon State where he played in 23 games and had 18 starts. After a 2023 season earning 2nd team All-Pac 12 honors, he followed his coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State. Velling impressed as a receiving tight end with good hands and ability to adjust to the catch. He can do more than win on contested catches in the short to intermediate game. He can also get behind a defense and win vertically. Blocking needs to improve. 

2023 STATS: 29 REC - 438 REC YDS - 8 REC TD

3. OSCAR DELP (GEORGIA) 6’5” 245 LBS. 

Delp was the top tight end in the 2021 recruiting class. He has all the traits you want to see for a tight end. He has a quick release and the speed to stretch the field vertically. He has good suddenness and body control. I thought he was a solid blocker with room to continue to get better. Expected better production but Delp hauled in only 8 receptions in the three games Bowers missed. 

2023 STATS: 24 REC – 284 REC YDS – 3 REC TD

4. LUKE LACHEY (IOWA) 6’6” 253 LBS. 

Lachey was on this list a season ago but suffered an ankle injury and played in only three games in 2023. In 2022 he showed flashes as with 28 catches for 398 yards. He is a long player with good size that can play in line. His ability to catch anything that comes near him stood out. My biggest concern would be his speed and ability to create separation. His father was a three-time all-pro-offensive tackle, Jim Lachey. 

2023 STATS: 10 REC – 131 REC YDS – 0 TD

5. RIVALDO FAIRWEATHER (AUBURN) 6’4” 250 LBS. 

Fairweather led FIU in receiving as a true freshman in 2020. He had 44 catches in the last two seasons he played at FIU before transferring to Auburn for the 2023 season. He led the Tigers in receiving in 2023. Has a basketball background and has put on 40 lbs since high school. There are a lot of things to like about Fairweather. He is a good athlete who is quick on his release and has the speed to stretch the seam. He is long and does a good job using his size and catch radius to box out defenders. He is more of a receiver at this point not a y tight end. He had more drops than what you want to see.

2023 STATS: 38 REC – 394 REC YDS – 6 REC TD

6. MASON TAYLOR (LSU) 6’6” 255 LBS.

Taylor was a four-star prospect coming out of high school and is the son of Jason Taylor. He came in right away as a true freshman and finished third on the team in receiving yards and receptions. He is a good athlete who is good at finding soft spots in zones. I thought he showed toughness and athleticism after the catch. He had some good reps as a blocker but was inconsistent in that area.

2023 STATS: 38 REC – 414 REC YDS – 3 REC TD

7. MITCHELL EVANS (NOTRE DAME) 6’5” 260 LBS. 

Evans was having a breakout year until suffering an ACL injury. Put up good numbers while only playing seven games. A good in-line blocker that has very good hands. Evans would be higher on this list if not for the injury and I worry about his athleticism.  

2023 STATS: 29 REC – 422 REC YDS – 1 TD

8. TYLER WARREN (PENN STATE) 6’6” 257 LBS.

Warren has been at Penn State since 2020. He is coming off his best season after Brenton Strange left for the NFL. Warren is a big tight end who played more as a flex tight end for the Nittany Lions. He was a tough player to bring down when he got a full head of steam. He showed good hands but had some easy drops looking to run the football before securing it. 

2023 STATS: 34 REC - 422 REC YDS - 7 REC TD

9. JAKE BRININGSTOOL (CLEMSON) 6’6” 230 LBS. 

Briningstool completed his first year as the starting tight end for the Tigers. He did not disappoint earning third-team all-ACC. He put together some big games with three games over 90 yards. He was the number 1 player in Tennessee and number three tight end nationally. At this point, he is a big slot that is playing at the same weight he was listed at high school. 

2023 STATS: 50 REC – 498 REC YDS – 5 REC TD

10. JOSHUA SIMON (SOUTH CAROLINA) 6’4” 259 LBS. 

Simon will be entering his 6thyear after spending his first four at Western Kentucky and transferring to South Carolina a season ago. He was a 217 lb receiver coming out of high school that has added 42 lbs since then. He is an athletic tight end that had zero drops a season ago. With Trey Knox gone, I expect to see Simon get more targets this season. 

2023 STATS: 28 REC – 256 REC YDS – 2 REC TD

SLEEPERS

JAKE JOHNSON (NORTH CAROLINA) 6’5” 240 LBS. 

Johnson is the son of former NFL QB Brad Johnson. He only saw action in five games as a freshman in 2022. Donovan Green missed the 2023 season and Johnson played in 12 games. He is a long and athletic player with a big catch radius. He can be lined up inline, slot, or out wide. There is room to add even more weight and continue to get better as a blocker. 

2023 STATS: 24 REC – 235 REC YDS – 4 REC TD

OTHERS:

BENJAMIN YUROSEK (GEORGIA) 

TERRANCE FERGUSON (OREGON) 

GUNNER HELM (TEXAS) 

GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW

MARK REDMAN (LOUISVILLE) 

CADEN PRIESKORN (OLE MISS)

BRYSON NESBIT (NORTH CAROLINA)

DRAKE DABNEY (TCU)

JERMAINE TERRY (OREGON STATE)

LAKE MCREE (USC)

JAYLIN CONYERS & MASON THARP (TEXAS TECH)

KOLE TAYLOR (WEST VIRGINIA)

DONOVAN GREENE (TEXAS A&M)

ORANDE GADSON (SYRACUSE)

BRANT KUITHE (UTAH) 

SMALL SCHOOL:

HAROLD FANIN (BOWLING GREEN) 

OSCAR CARDENAS (UTSA)  

CARTER RUNYON (TOWSON)