Now we move onto the tight end group in my final rankings. This years tight end class is stronger overall than last years. Last year it was basically Broc Bowers and everyone else. There are a number of day two type players in this class and all bring something different to the field. This class lacks the star power of a Bowers, but its a better overall class. You can also see my final quarterback rankings as well. Lets get to the fun.

Top Five Tight Ends
- Tyler Warren, Penn State: Tyler Warren came into the season as a talented yet somewhat unproven tight end. Mostly due to sharing the position the last couple seasons with Theo Johnson and Johnson was kind of the lead guy where Warren was the #2/FB/Hback type role. Warren really showed his true talents this season at a legit 6’6 260, but moves so well he was even used as a wildcat quarterback at times and even had four rushing touchdowns on the season. His running style has been compared to Gronk, but he’s more versatile than Gronk was. His blocking is passable, but could be better. He has all the makings of a #1 tight end.
- Colston Loveland, Michigan: Loveland entered the season seemingly as the tight tight end in the class. At 6’5 245 he has a long linear build and while he can block some he is basically a giant slot receiver. His play style has been compared to Travis Kelce. He had a down year in 2024, to no fault of his own due to Michigan’s struggling passing game all season. He also did not show much improvement as a blocker. Loveland can still be a matchup nightmare for defenses. He is too big for most safeties and too fast for a lot of linebackers.
- Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green: Harold Fannin is a guy who had a mini breakout in 2023, but in most of the media was not on their tight rankings because he played at Bowling Green, only film junkies knew him coming into the season. Fannin Jr, blew last season out of the water in 2024. He had 117 catches, 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bowling Green did scheme him a lot of his touches, but he showed he can do a lot of things as well. He can be an hback, inline and split out. Fannin Jr. is a bit undersized at 6’4″ 230, but has the frame for more bulk and should get that in an NFL S&C program. He’s an excellent route runner, knows how to get yards after the catch and is an ok blocker.
- Gunnar Helm, Texas: Gunnar Helm is kind of your traditional 90’s type tight end. He’s got solid size, athleticism, hands, blocking, route running, etc…He will give you everything he has every play, every down. His upside though is not very high. He is a high floor type of player. Solid all around, but not special at anything. Helm will give you 500-600 yards and 7-8 touchdowns a season and will even play special teams if you need.
- Elijah Arroyo, Miami(Fla.): Arroyo’s career numbers don’t stand out, especially if you look at them season by season, but there was a good reason for that. He redshirted his first year on campus and them missed the vast majority of the next two season’s with injuries. He showed flashes in 2022 before getting injured. He was finally able to stay healthy in 2024 and was really able to show what he could do and how much talent and upside he had. Arroyo is an athletic 6’4 245 with speed and explosiveness to be a big time seem threat. He averaged almost 17 yards a catch this past season. If Miami didn’t have so many weapons his season totals probably would have been higher. He is also a willing blocker, but due to lack of playing time still needs work on it. His upside if reached is extremely high.
The Best Of The Rest: Six Thru Ten

6. Luke Lachey, Iowa: Lachey looked like he was going to be the “next big tight end” to come out of Iowa after his 2022 season and was looking to blow up in 2023. He is a big 6’6 253 pounds, but moves like a smaller tight end. But alas he ended up hurting his knee early in the season and missed most of the year. He came back in 2024 ready to show he was healthy and could be the dude people thought he could be. While Iowa had some offensive success in 2024, most of that was in the running game with Kaleb Johnson. While the passing game in 2024 was better than in 2023, it still took a big back seat. Lachey still has potential. He is coming into year two post surgery, so he should be back to 100%. Lachey can be a solid starting tight end at the next level.
7. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse: Gadsden is the son of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver by the same name. He is a big dude like his dad. He is even bigger at 6’4 1/2 247 with the frame to add another five to ten pounds. He spent a big chunk of his career being split out, almost like a big slot receiver. This past season, his best season saw the most snaps he had inline and suffice to say his blocking is still a work in progress. He showed what he could do with 73 catches, 934 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has potential.
8. Jake Briningstool, Clemson: Briningstool it seems has been at Clemson forever. Clemson has moved him all over the formation in his time. They like to take advantage of his 6’5 frame and athleticism. Briningstool can do the same in an NFL offense, his frame is on the thin side, so I think he will ever be a #1 tight end, but can be a guy who gets split out, out of the backfield and can chip on some defenders here and there. While athletic, his long speed is pretty average. He has good hands and is a good route runner though. He still needs to add bulk after weighting 230 pounds in the summer. He could be a real solid #2 tight end.
9. Mason Taylor, LSU: Mason is the son of Hall Of Fame pass rusher Jason Taylor who played a bunch of years for the Dolphins. While a good athlete, Mason isn’t the same freak his dad was. He has good size and speed, but overall doesn’t stand out in any area. He isn’t much of a run after the catch threat, but has good hands and is one of those guys that just goes out and does his job. He is also a solid blocker who really gives it his all as a blocker and keeps his legs moving. He can split out some and even be used in the backfield as a fullback. Coming out as a true junior though there might still be some untapped upside
10. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon: Ferguson has been a starter at Oregon since essentially 2022, but due to their offense and the weapons around he was never a main feature part of their passing attack. This allowed Ferguson to develop his pass blocking which was not very good coming in. He could be better as a run blocker. Ferguson fits well as a seam threat, but not because of his average to slightly below average speed. He has quick feet and a big body and he knows how to use it. Ferguson also has a wide catch radius due to his length and the fact that he can stretch out for high balls. Like Taylor he isn’t a run after the catch threat unless he catches a defensive back with a stiff arm or a shoulder. He will come in and give you solid production.
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