College Football Recruiting: The Top Three Tight Ends of 2013
Assembled is a preseason ranking for the top tight ends in College Football Recruiting for the class of 2013. The trend of tight ends with basketball player bodies is slowly matriculating down to the collegiate ranks, like most trends from the NFL. Seeing how effective big targets like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham are is obvious to any football fan. These top three guys have very similar builds to the aforementioned players, all around 6’5’’ and 6’6’’, and are excellent athletes. Here’s a quick breakdown of the top three…
1. O.J. Howard –Autauga (AL) Autauga- This was another close call for the top guy on this list, but it’s easy to see the appeal of a player like Howard. At 6’6’’ and 220lbs, with a reported 40 time of 4.50, Howard is a freak athlete with a very impressive physical skill set. Howard has been exploding throughout the summer at camps nationwide, routinely showing what an elite playmaker he is against excellent competition. As good as Howard is already, his potential is even greater. Howard recently gave a solid verbal commitment to Alabama, and while I don’t think he’ll change his mind, there is always the chance. Early Prediction: Alabama.
2. Adam Breneman- Camp Hill (PA) Cedar Cliff- Breneman is just as highly thought of as Howard, and in a lot of rankings, ranked even higher. Breneman is a big target (6’5’’, 230), and has the hands and athleticism of a wide receiver. In fact, there have been a lot of instances during his prep career in which he’s lined up outside with the receivers. Not only is he strong going across the middle and down the seam, but is a fantastic deep threat as well. There has been a lot of speculation recently that he would de-commit from Penn State considering the sanctions, but he has stated he will honor his pledge. Early Prediction: Penn State.
3. Hunter Henry- Little Rock (AR) Pulaski Academy- Henry, just like the other two players ranked ahead of him on this list, is a huge target at 6’6’’ and 235lbs. Henry has excellent athleticism and has played a lot of downs split out wide, displaying an array of acrobatic catches. He has also proven to be a reliable threat to put points on the board, totaling 26 touchdowns during his sophomore and junior seasons at Pulaski. Some have thought the uncertain future of the coaching staff at Arkansas would dissuade Henry from staying in the Natural State, but he has indicated he is most attracted to the program and school itself. Early Prediction: Arkansas.
This is a fantastic class, one that is as deep with talent as we have seen in a long time. The last great tight end class was 2005, and that featured future pros Jermichael Finley, Ed Dickson, Martellus Bennett, Tony Moeaki and Chase Coffman. It’s a stretch to compare this year’s crop of guys to the class of ’05, considering how early it is and the fact that none of these players have even played a snap yet. But time will tell if they are indeed comparable.
