ACC and SEC Tight Ends rankings (unfortunately I have to agree with the Tigers ranking...

ACC Tight End Rankings

1. MarylandThe Starter-Joey Haynos is a 6-8, 260-pound monster. When he breaks the huddle you don’t have to try to find this big target. Last year he had 37 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns.The Depth-Dan Gronkowski is a co-starter and another huge body. This 6-6, 265-pounder excels more in the running game and is not the receiving threat that Haynos has become.The Future-Devonte Campbell is one of the stars of the Terps’ recruiting class.


2. VirginiaThe Starter-Tom Santi is a future NFL tight end that can stretch the field in the passing game. He had 29 receptions for 253 yards last season. The Cavs play four tight ends each week but Santi is the best of the bunch.The Depth-Jonathan Stupar is one of the five or six best tight ends in the league. He is a threat on third down. John Phillips is another quality tight end that should see reps in this offense.The Future-Joe Torchia is a red-shirt freshman that the staff sees breaking into the rotation.


3. NC StateThe Starter-Anthony Hill is a highly thought of tight end but he suffered from a case of the drops in 2006. State looked to Hill often and he did have 45 catches for 478 yards a year ago but O’Brien is looking for more consistency. Hill has the biggest upside of any tight end in the league.The Depth-Marcus Stone was a failure at quarterback so he has moved to tight end.The Future-George Bryan was one of the best looking prospects we saw at last year’s Shrine Bowl. He looks like an offensive lineman but runs like a tight end.


4. MiamiThe Starter-DajLeon Farr is replacing one of the nation’s top tight ends in Greg Olsen. Farr was a highly recruited kid but I am not sure what his new role will be considering the new staff in Miami.The Depth-Chris Zellner is a terrific blocker. He is a solid tight end that is one of the most dependable Canes.The Future-Derrick Epps played as a true freshman and should see more reps this season. Some feel he will be the next in line of the Canes great tradition at tight end.


5. Virginia TechThe Starter- Sam Wheeler played as a true freshman last season and made a good impression on the Hokie staff. His 13 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns should increase this season.The Depth- Greg Boone was another freshman that enjoyed a good season. He is a former quarterback that some feel will have a chance to beat out Wheeler as the season goes on.The Future-Andre Smith is a red-shirt freshman that should be in the mix. Tech has traditionally played several tight ends and Smith looks break into the lineup.


6. Florida StateThe Starter-Charlie Graham replaces Brandon Warren who was one of the best tight ends in America last season as a freshman. Warren has left FSU and Graham lacks his talent but is a solid blocker.The Depth-D.J. Norris is a former defensive end that has moved to the other side of the ball. Norris was not athletic enough to rush the passer but he should be better suited for tight end.The Future-Jonathan Hannah was one of the highest rated tight ends in the country coming out of high school but for whatever reason it never worked for him at South Carolina.


7. Wake ForestThe Starter-Zac Selmon is Wake Forest in that he is solid and consistent but does nothing spectacular. He is part of perhaps the most experienced group of tight ends in the ACC.The Depth-John Tereshinksi is an athletic tight end that actually stretches the field more than Selmon.The Future-Ted Randolph and Cameron Ford are two very good freshmen. I saw Ford often in high school and think he will be a terrific pass receiving tight end.


8. Boston CollegeThe Starter-Ryan Thompson is a very good tight end but I am not sure how he will be used in the new offense. He is the best of the blockers in this group at BC.The Depth-Ryan Purvis had 29 receptions for 381 yards and two scores a year ago. Jon Loyte transferred from Vanderbilt and brings depth to the position.The Future-Lars Anderson and Jordan McMichael are two freshmen that should red-shirt this season.


9. Clemson-See Monday’s blog for in-depth information on Clemson tight ends.
http://www.tigernet.com/blogs/page/plyler?entry=20070716


10. North CarolinaThe Starter-Richard Quinn was not as highly rated as Jacobs coming out of high school but he is more physically ready to play than the freshman.The Depth-Vince Jacobs needed his red-shirt season last year in order to get stronger but his upside is the highest of any Tar Heel.The Future-North Carolina has an early commitment from Randy White from Virginia for the class of 2008.


11. Georgia TechThe Starter-Colin Peek had a very good spring so his expectations have risen. He is a big body that showcased versatility according to observers in Atlanta.The Depth-Austin Barrack red-shirted as a freshman and is not as big as Peek but he will have a chance to compete for playing time behind Peek.The Future-Jeff Lentz also red-shirted a year ago but he has a longer way to go than others ahead of him.


12. DukeThe Starter-Nick Stephenow is a returning starter and a solid performer for the Devils but he is not a strength compared to others on offense.The Depth-Norman Gee actually started a couple of games a year ago and he should battle Huffman for the starter’s position after Stephenow graduates.The Future-Brett Huffman is a big tight end body that red-shirted a year ago.



SEC Tight End Rankings

1. Tennessee-Chris Brown might be the top tight end in the SEC this season. He is a multi-year starter and a future NFL draft pick. Brandon Warren played last year at FSU but has not been given his release. He is appealing the NCAA to be able to play this year in a special waiver. If this happens then Tennessee is set.


2. Kentucky-Jacob Tamme is the top pass receiving tight end in the league this season. A year ago he had 32 receptions for 386 yards and two touchdowns. This is a good third down threat. The Wildcats have four or five options in the passing game and Tamme is very valuable to what they do offensively.


3. Arkansas-Ben Cleveland was one of the most sought after tight ends in America and played last year as a true freshman. He will be joined this season by another highly touted prospect in Grant Freeman. By next season Arkansas could have one of the best group of tight ends in the SEC.


4. Auburn-When you draw up a tight end on paper Tommy Trott could be your model. I watched Trott closely last year against South Carolina and came away very impressed. He is vicious at the point of attack and also possesses soft hands. Cole Bennett and Gabe McKenzie are also quality players so Auburn should be excited about this group.


5. LSU-Richard Dickson started nine games as a true freshman last season and should develop into one of the best in the SEC. Dickson was one of the top freshmen in the league last season and should contend for all-conference honors. Keith Zinger is another very good tight end.


6. Florida-Aaron Hernandez is the future for the Gators. You should not be surprised to see he is the top tight end in the country and should get a long look very early in his career. There is not a lot of experience here outside of Tate Casey. Cornelius Ingram is a former quarterback and is athletic but Hernandez should be able to break through.


7. Alabama-Travis McCall returns as the starter for the Tide but this group is fairly deep and experienced. Nick Walker and Charles Hoke are also considered good blockers and have played a lot so far in their careers.


8. Vanderbilt-Brad Allen returns as a starter here. He is a junior that has been pretty good so far. Jake Bradford and Justin Green are two good looking young tight ends.


9. Georgia-The Bulldogs must replace Martrez Milner but have recruited well here. Tripp Chandler, Watson Coleman, NaDerris Ward, Aron White and others will hope to ease the loss.


10. South Carolina-Through the years Steve Spurrier has been known as a guy that likes to play with a fullback and a tight end. However they are used more in the max protect scheme. Seldom do Spurrier’s tight ends get involved in the passing game. In fact last year USC tight ends caught just 11 passes. Andy Boyd comes back for his sixth season after receiving a waiver from the NCAA due to his injuries. He is the most talented of the tight ends but injuries are always the concern. Robert Pavolovic is next in line in terms of experience. Nick Prochak is a high school quarterback that has made the move to tight end and looked good in the spring. Weslye Saunders was one of the highest rated tight ends in the last recruiting class.


11. Mississippi State-Eric Butler returns for his senior campaign to end a solid career. There is a drop off after Butler though.


12. Ole Miss-Robert Lane is a former quarterback that looked OK in his transition. David Rue was a fairly highly thought of prospect and Robert Hough started five games a year ago.