Ranking The Top 10 Tight Ends In College Football

After the success of the top ten running backs in college football ranking, it only made sense that tight ends would be the next position group to assess.

This list will feature the top ten tight ends in college football, with a few honorable mentions, whether it's a transfer player or a player who has been in his program for a few years.

Top Ten Tight Ends In College Football

1. Colston Loveland, Michigan

Colston Loveland had a breakout season as one of the nation's top tight ends, finishing fifth in receiving yards (649) out of all tight ends and second in receiving yards for the National Championship Wolverines. He now ranks first in both statistics with the most returning receiving yards and touchdowns for tight ends and the Wolverines.

2. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame

Mitchell Evans performed at a top-five tight end level in the nation before suffering an ACL tear in week eight. He ranked fourth in receiving yards for tight ends with 422, behind only Dallin Holker, Brock Bowers, and Cade Stover. Evans, led the Irish in receptions and receiving yards, and is expected to be a key weapon for transfer quarterback Riley Leonard.

3. Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina

We've seen the line between tight end and wide receiver become thinner, and players like Bryson Nesbit are no different, with 67% of his snaps coming from the slot per PFF . His 41 receptions and 585 yards are the second-most returning production for the Tar Heels and the third-most receiving yards for any tight end in the country, trailing only Colston Loveland and Harold Fannin Jr. Nesbit will be a go-to weapon for transfer quarterback Max Johnson.

4. Brant Kuithe, Utah

Injuries have been an issue for Brant Kuithe, missing all but four games in 2022 and all of the 2023 season due to a torn ACL. Even with his injury struggles of late, he still is worthy of a top-five ranking for what he did the previous three seasons; earning All-Pac-12 honors from 2019-2021. If he and quarterback Cam Rising stay healthy, the Utes can win the Big 12 in its inaugural season.

5. Oscar Delp, Georgia

The talent is there for Oscar Delp, the former four-star No. 1 tight end in the 2022 recruiting cycle. He waited his turn, sitting behind dominant tight end Brock Bowers, and is set to become a household name and form one of the nation's best tight-end duos with another name later on this list.

6. Benjamin Yurosek, Georgia

Statistically, Benjamin Yurosek had the worst season of his career but was dealing with one of the worst quarterback situations in the nation. Now, he is headed to Georgia after entering the transfer portal in February, where he can replicate his 2022 All-Pac-12 campaign by playing with one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, Carson Beck.

7. Orange Gadsden II, Syracuse

Similarly to Bryson Nesbit, Orange Gadsden II has predominantly played outside the standard alignment for tight ends, with 66% of his snaps coming from the slot. Two games into the 2023 season, he suffered a Lisfranc injury. The last time college football fans saw him fully healthy in 2022, he finished with 969 receiving yards, the most by any tight end. Now he's playing with former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord and should see a spike in production.

8. Drake Dabney, TCU

Drake Dabney is the most underrated tight end in the nation. He doesn't show up on any top ten lists or even honorable mentions, even though he finished first in touchdowns and second for Baylor in receptions and receiving yards. Now he's at TCU, who loves to feature the tight end in their offense, replacing Jared Wiley, who led the Horned Frogs in receiving touchdowns.

9. Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss

Caden Prieskorn missed the first three games of the 2023 season due to a knee injury. Once he returned in week four, his 449 receiving yards were the ninth-most among tight ends, and his 1,051 receiving yards and 527 yards after the catch are tied for fourth since 2022 per PFF . He ended his first year with the Rebels strong, going off for ten receptions, 136 yards, and two touchdowns, earning Peach Bowl Offensive MVP honors.

10. Harold Fannin Jr, Bowling Green

While Harold Fannin Jr plays in the MAC, don't get it twisted; he can ball. His 632 receiving yards are the second-most returning by tight ends, trailing only Colston Loveland, and he is a threat with the ball in his hands, having 406 yards after the catch, trailing only Brock Bowers for the 2023 season.

Honorable Mentions:

Jack Velling, Michigan State

Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech

Luke Lachey, Iowa

Jake Briningstool, Clemson