Tight End isn’t exactly the most glamourous positions in the sport of football – far from it, actually. In most offensive systems, the tight end is essentially an extra offensive lineman. At the collegiate level, you rarely see tight ends featured into gameplans outside of tendency breakers or gadget plays. Due to the lack of target share, the position can get swept aside by the masses.
Of course, when there’s a once in a lifetime player like University of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, he becomes an exception to the standard. In my opinion, he’s the best college tight end ever and should be a serious Heisman candidate. Also, at the NFL level, future hall of famer Travis Kelce & his new relationship are quite literally dominating headlines & breaking viewership records, that’s a swift deviation from the status quo.
Colorado TE Michael Harrison (87) – Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports
That said, a tight end’s importance to the functionality of most offenses can’t be emphasized enough. 12 & 13 personnel has taken over the game. Being able to use multiple tight ends in a multitude of ways has taken bad offenses to good and good offenses to great. Whether your job is blocking down lineman the entire game, being a flex hybrid type that is a defacto wide receiver, or a bit of both. If you’re not operating at a very high level the offense is rendered ineffective.
The great ones at tight end have balance of both blocking & route running/receiving ability. While the previously mentioned anomaly like Bowers exist, there’s also a few high level players at the position that don’t get nearly enough eyes on their talent. Whether it’s due to playing at a smaller group of five university or being over shadowed due to brighter stars on the team, those players should have their importance highlighted as well.
While there’s no guarantee about future prospectus on the next level, I firmly believe there’s NFL talent all over the country. Here’s three college tight ends that are lighting it up right now and have given themselves a chance at playing on Sundays.
Colorado TE Michael Harrison 6’3 225 (RS-SO): 20 rec, 179 yds, 4 TD’s, & 8.9 ypr.
Lost in all of the stardom that is the Colorado Buffs offense right now, Michael Harrison has emerged as a go to safety valve for QB Shedeur Sanders. After a monster showing in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, Harrison followed it up with another TD against USC. While there’s certainly room to add strength and fill out his frame, he’ll have his chances on the next level.
Colorado State TE Dallin Holker 6’3 235 (Jr): 26 rec, 362 yds, 5 TD’s, & 13.2 ypr.
Like Harrison, Holker had his coming out party in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. Against Colorado, he went for 6 catches, 109 yards, & 2 touchdowns. He then followed it up with a 11 reception, 111 yard, and 1 touchdown performance against MTSU. As it stands, he is second in the country for receiving yards by a tight end behind, you guessed it, Brock Bowers. Pretty good company to keep.
Jax State TE Sean Brown 6’5 250 (RS-JR): 11 rec, 148 yds, 2 TD’s, & 13.5 ypr.
Due to the rushing prowess and tempo of Rich Rod’s uptempo attack, Brown won’t have the most gaudy stats. However, his impact can’t be stated enough. His 13.5 yards per reception are about as good as you can hope for from a tight end. He’s also a fantastic in line blocker. He’s the mix of brute and athlete you dream about when you think of a tight end in the modern game. Just last night, he showed he can completely take over a game. He spearheaded the 38 point 2nd half performance from the Jax State offense with his 5 catch, 103 yard, 1 touchdown showing. If you don’t know him now, you will soon.
