Top Tight Ends
Class of 2026 -- ranked by measurables, physical ceiling, and recruiting validation
Rare 6'7" 225 lb specimen with a 40-inch vertical, 4.66 forty, and offers from Michigan, Florida, Penn State, and Texas A&M — his explosive senior season (22.3 YPR, 11 TDs) on back-to-back state championship teams at Cherry Creek validates elite upside. Still raw after only two full years of football, but the unteachable combination of size, athleticism, and competitive pedigree makes him the clear top TE in the state and a future NFL prospect at BYU.
Ty Goettsche is a rare physical specimen at 6'7" 225 lbs with a 40-inch vertical and multi-sport athleticism who is still scratching the surface of his football potential. His explosive senior season (27 rec, 603 yds, 11 TD, 22.3 YPR) on a state championship team validates the upside that earned him offers from Michigan, Florida, Penn State, and Texas A&M. He is raw but possesses the unteachable combination of size, movement skills, and competitive toughness that projects as an NFL-caliber tight end if developed properly at BYU.
At 6'7" 242 lbs with offers from UCLA, Florida, North Carolina, Arkansas, and a dozen Power 4 programs, Jensen is the best pure blocking TE in the class with a frame that projects to 285 lbs — 247Sports calls him one of the best blocking TEs in the country. Receiving production (29 rec, 313 yds, 3 TD) is modest but was suppressed by blowout wins; his strong hands through contact and ability to break tackles after the catch give him real upside as a receiving threat once he develops explosiveness at UCLA.
Camden Jensen is a rare-sized tight end prospect at 6'7" with a college-ready frame that UCLA projects at 285 lbs. His elite blocking ability, strong hands through contact, and multi-sport athleticism give him a high floor as an in-line TE who can contribute immediately in the run game, with upside as a red zone and intermediate receiving threat. The main development area is his speed and explosiveness to become a more dynamic pass-catching weapon at the Power 4 level.
Hodge has an FCS-ready frame at 6'5" 230 lbs with a verified 4.72 forty, elite contested-catch ability, and dominant run blocking (6 pancake blocks noted) — his breakout senior season (39 rec, 502 yds, 10 TD) plus 21 tackles on defense show a complete TE skillset. The 4A competition level is a fair concern, but his combination of size, speed, physicality, and two-way production makes him the best non-Power 4 TE prospect in the class and a potential FCS starter at Sacramento State.
Jack Hodge is a long, athletic tight end with an FCS-ready frame at 6'5" 230 lbs who doubled his production as a senior with 39 receptions for 502 yards and 10 TDs while also contributing on defense. His combination of blocking ability, contested catch skills, and above-average speed for his size makes him a legitimate FCS prospect, though his development at Sacramento State will depend on adding functional strength and adjusting to a higher level of competition. His physical tools suggest a solid ceiling as a starter-caliber FCS tight end if he continues to develop.
Sema brings a physically imposing 6'4" 240 lb frame with a 6'10" wingspan and elite strength numbers (500 squat, 285 clean) that make him an immediate factor as an in-line blocker at the FCS level. His junior season breakout (22.2 YPR, 7 TDs) showed legitimate playmaking ability, though the significant senior-year production dip (9.1 YPR) and unverified speed need monitoring — still, his FBS offers from NDSU and UAB alongside his NAU commitment validate real next-level talent.
Gabe Sema is a physically imposing, two-way tight end with FCS-starter upside at Northern Arizona. His 6'4" frame, 240-lb playing weight, elite strength numbers, and 6'10" wingspan give him the physical tools to develop into a quality FCS tight end, particularly as an in-line blocker and red-zone target. His junior year breakout (22.2 YPR, 7 TDs) showed legitimate playmaking ability, though the senior-year production dip bears monitoring at the next level.
A Twitter account for Dom Sema (@dsema24) appears to be a family member who reposts Gabe's content. No additional details on family athletic background found.
Palmer is a high-ceiling 6'5" 230 lb two-way player whose 4.71 forty, 4.31 shuttle, and explosive receiving efficiency (24.7 YPR, 4 TDs) are paired with dominant pass rush production (28 TFL and 11 sacks as a junior). The 1A competition level is a legitimate concern and he needs to add 20-30 lbs of mass, but his length, verified athleticism, multi-sport background, and Northern Colorado commitment give him a clear developmental path to becoming an FCS starter at TE or DE.
Brogan Palmer is a high-ceiling, small-school edge rusher with rare length (6'5") and legitimate two-way production as both a DE and TE. His four-year career trajectory shows steady improvement -- from 2 sacks as a freshman to 11 as a junior -- and his ability to line up across the DL in multiple alignments gives coaches schematic flexibility. However, the 1A competition level, lack of verified testing data, and the need to add 20-30 lbs of functional mass to his frame make him a developmental FCS prospect who will need time in a college strength program before contributing.
Marsh's 6'3" frame, 10 receiving TDs, and 19.2 YPR show a legitimate downfield mismatch player with strong upper body strength (245 bench) and multi-sport athleticism. At 190 lbs he'll need to add significant mass to play TE at Western Colorado, but the production, positional flexibility (WR/TE), and 4.69 speed give him a real chance to contribute as a move TE at the D2 level.
Martin's 6'4" 225 lb frame and elite defensive production (10 sacks, 17 TFL as a senior) make him an intriguing two-way prospect, with 15.2 YPR receiving showing some downfield TE ability. He projects more as a DE than a TE at Western Colorado, but his size, motor, and three-time All-Conference recognition at the 5A level give him a clear path to contributing on the D2 defensive line.
Jacob Martin is a long, athletic two-way player with legitimate pass rush production (9 sacks, 17 TFL as a senior) and the frame to potentially grow into a D2 or low-end FCS defensive end. His 6'4" frame at 225 lbs has room to add 25-30 lbs of functional mass, and his multi-sport background suggests continued physical development. He signed with Western Colorado (D2), which is a solid landing spot, though his lack of verified testing data and limited exposure may have cost him higher-level opportunities.
McLean has one of the most projectable frames in the class at 6'5" 210 lbs with impressive weight room numbers (305 bench, 415 squat, 245 clean) and legitimate receiving efficiency (17.8 YPR, 4 TDs) on a 2A state championship team. The 2A competition level and 4.78 forty are concerns, but his elite length, verified strength, and multi-sport athleticism give him serious developmental upside if he can add mass and get on FCS radars through camps.
Hunter's 6'5" frame is intriguing with a massive breakout from 7 receptions as a junior to 33 rec/328 yds/4 TD as a senior, plus 58 tackles on defense showing real two-way ability and competitiveness. At 190 lbs he's dramatically underweight for a college TE and has no verified testing data or offers, but the length, multi-sport athleticism (basketball center, track), and rapid improvement curve suggest real developmental upside if he adds 30-40 lbs in a college S&C program.
Jacob Hunter is a high-ceiling, low-floor TE prospect with an intriguing 6'5" frame, multi-sport athleticism, and a breakout senior season (33 rec, 328 yds, 4 TD plus 58 tackles on defense). However, at 190 lbs with no offers, no verified testing data, and modest strength numbers, he is a developmental project who needs to add significant mass and attend camps to get on college radars. His best path is likely FCS or D2 with potential to grow into an FBS-level tight end if his frame fills out and his athleticism tests well.
Gilchrist is a tackling machine (238 career tackles, 23 TFL) with a 6'3" 215 lb frame, Denver Post All-Colorado honors, and PRZ ranking (#72), showing elite instincts and two-way production at the 5A level. His Air Force lacrosse commitment and lack of football offers suggest speed concerns, but the physical tools, football IQ, and production profile make him a legitimate FCS/D2 LB or TE prospect if he pursues football.
Connor Gilchrist is a highly productive Colorado 5A linebacker with ideal size (6'3", 215 lbs) and an impressive statistical profile -- 238 career tackles, 23 TFL, and 30 receptions as a two-way ILB/TE over three varsity seasons. His Denver Post All-Colorado selection and All-Centennial League honors validate his dominance at the high school level. However, the complete absence of verified athletic testing data and lack of D1 football offers -- he signed with Air Force for lacrosse -- suggest his speed and explosiveness may not translate to the FBS level, making him a strong FCS or D2 football prospect with an intriguing physical ceiling if he were to pursue football.
Guertin's 6'3" 235 lb frame is college-ready from a size standpoint with room to grow to 245-255, and his 22 catches for 255 yards and 2 TDs at 5A Legend show functional receiving ability. The lack of any offers, verified testing data, or recruiting buzz is concerning, but his basketball background and physical maturity give him a D2/D3 TE floor with potential for more if he tests well at camps.
Baker is a high-character, high-IQ prospect with a projectable 6'3" frame, solid receiving production (27 rec, 337 yds, 12.5 YPR), impressive defensive stats (57 tkl, 8 TFL), and strong academics (4.04 GPA). At 200 lbs with no offers he needs significant physical development, but his two-way versatility, weight room numbers (225 bench, 315 squat), and leadership traits make him a legitimate D2/NAIA target with FCS upside.
Nui Baker is a high-IQ, two-way football player with a projectable 6'3" frame and legitimate receiving production from the TE position (27 rec, 337 yds, 12.5 YPR as a senior). His defensive versatility (57 tkl, 8 TFL) and strong weight room numbers (225 bench, 315 squat) suggest real physicality, but at 200 lbs he'll need to add significant mass to play TE at the college level. He profiles as a D2/NAIA target with FCS upside if he continues to develop physically -- his academics (4.04 GPA) and leadership traits make him a high-character addition to any program.
Brighton High School's new head coach is Eddie Baker -- likely Nui's father given the shared surname, suggesting a football coaching family background. Not independently confirmed.
Kratochvil has a college-ready frame at 6'3" 240 lbs with elite strength numbers (355 bench, 475 squat) and explosive receiving efficiency (25.3 YPR), but the self-reported 4.9 forty is a significant speed concern for TE and the 3A competition level limits projection. He's a classic small-school big man who needs camp exposure — his physical tools and strength suggest a D2/NAIA TE or FCS DE floor.
Griffin Kratochvil is a physically imposing 6'3" 240-lb TE/DE two-way player with elite high school strength numbers and a college-ready frame. His receiving efficiency (25+ YPR) and ability to create big plays as a ball carrier (9.0 YPC) are intriguing for a player his size, but the lack of volume touches and a self-reported 4.9 forty limit his D1 TE ceiling. He projects as a D2/NAIA tight end or FCS defensive end prospect with the frame, strength, and competitive toughness to develop, but needs verified camp testing and exposure to generate offers.
Varney's 6'4" 225 lb frame with basketball PF experience checks important TE projection boxes — good hands, body control, and contested-catch ability translate from the hardwood. Receiving production (18 rec, 201 yds, 1 TD) is modest and he has virtually no recruiting visibility, but the size, two-sport athleticism, and positional versatility (TE/DE) warrant monitoring if he pursues camps and exposure.
Ratazzi is a 5A TE with functional receiving production (35 rec, 347 yds) and the football IQ to play both sides of the ball, but at 6'1" 190 lbs with no verified measurables or offers, his physical ceiling is limited for the TE position. He profiles as a D3 or NAIA tight end who wins with route-running and hands rather than physical dominance.
Kirkland's two-way production (19.9 YPR receiving, 58 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 INT on defense) shows real football instincts and playmaking ability, and his lean 6'2" frame has room to add 35-40 lbs. However, at 180 lbs with a 185 lb bench press playing 3A football, he's a long-term project who profiles more as a small-college LB than a TE prospect.
Duncan was a reliable possession target with 33 catches at 5A Chaparral, but zero career touchdowns across 38 receptions, a lean 190 lb frame, and no recruiting interest significantly limit his projection. His lacrosse background and good hands suggest coordination, but he profiles as a D3 or club-level prospect without a major physical transformation.
Hunter Duncan is a senior TE at Chaparral (Parker, CO) with good height (6'3") but a lean 190-lb frame that would need significant development to compete at the college level. His production (33 rec, 330 yds, 0 TD as a senior) shows he is a reliable possession receiver on a struggling 1-9 team, but the lack of touchdowns, verified athletic measurables, and any recruiting interest makes him a low-level prospect best suited for D3 or club football at this stage.
Bossinger earned All-State Second Team honors at 4A Palmer Ridge with impressive receiving efficiency (20.9 YPR) and multi-sport athleticism, but at 6'1" 170 lbs he is dramatically undersized for the TE position. He would need to add 40-50 lbs to project at any college level as a tight end, making him an extreme long-term developmental prospect.
Andersen is a tough, physical multi-sport athlete with an impressive 102-tackle senior season and explosive receiving efficiency (34.4 YPR), but at 6'0" 223 lbs in 8-man football he projects more as a small-college linebacker than a TE. His frame is maxed out for the TE position and the competition level makes translation extremely difficult.
Corbin Andersen is a tough, physical multi-sport athlete who projects more as a defensive player (LB) than an offensive skill position at any higher level. His 102-tackle, 10-TFL senior season on defense is impressive production, and his 6'0" 220+ frame with basketball athleticism gives him an intriguing base. However, playing 8-man football at Haxtun with minimal offensive touches and no verified speed data makes a D1 projection extremely unlikely -- he profiles as a small-college or NAIA linebacker prospect at best.
Livesay is a phenomenal multi-sport athlete and fierce competitor — playing through a torn meniscus in a state championship speaks to his character — but at 5'8" 165 lbs he has no physical path to playing tight end at the college level. He's listed as RB/LB on All-State, and the 8-man classification further limits projection; he's simply not a TE prospect by any measurable standard.