Top 10 tight ends in the On3 College Football Impact 300

The On3 Impact 300 ranks the best players in college football entering the 2022 season, with a full release coming in the next few weeks. Prior to the release of the inaugural list – which also factors into the calculation of On3’s NIL Valuation – On3 has revealed the Top 10 returning tight ends.

Georgia star Brock Bowers leads the way after claiming AP SEC Newcomer of the Year honors in 2021, helping lead the Bulldogs to a national title. He snagged 56 catches for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns, including a tight end record 10 catches in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama.

These are the 10 most impactful tight ends with less than three months until the 2022 season kicks off.

On3 Impact 300’s Top 10 Tight Ends

1. Brock Bowers, Georgia

After setting single-season Georgia records for most receptions (56), receiving yards (882) and touchdowns (13) by a tight end in 2021 as a true freshman, Bowers will be looking to build on that as a sophomore. He’s the only tight end in the Impact 300’s Top 10, with a current NIL valuation stands at $895,000, good for 15th in the NIL 100 rankings.

2. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Mayer led all Notre Dame receivers last season with 71 catches, accounting for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. His sophomore-season yardage total was fourth among all FBS tight ends, while his 5.9 catches per game ranked second nationally at the position. He has a current NIL valuation of $571,000.

3. Jaheim Bell, South Carolina

Bell earned second-team All-SEC recognition after recording 30 catches for 497 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. Impressively, he averaged 16.6 yards per catch, emerging as a big-play threat for a tight end. He was playing his best ball at year’s end, recording a career-high 159 yards and two touchdowns in a Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over North Carolina. Current NIL valuation: $363,000.

4. Arik Gilbert, Georgia

Following a transfer from LSU, Gilbert was sidelined for the entire 2021 campaign. But he was back for the Bulldogs this spring, hauling in a pair of touchdown catches in Georgia’s spring game. There’s little doubt about the talent the former five-star prospect has, and he could be a breakout candidate this fall. He currently carries an NIL valuation of $351,000.

5. Jahleel Billingsley, Texas

After transferring to Texas following three seasons at Alabama, Billingsley will be looking to add some punch to the Longhorns’ passing game. While with the Crimson Tide he racked up 37 catches for 559 yards and six touchdowns. He has a current NIL valuation of $308,000.

6. Darnell Washington, Georgia

In his second season for the Bulldogs last year Washington came on strong late after missing the first four games of the season due to a fall camp injury. He finished the season with 10 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown, with his lone score coming against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. The third Georgia tight end on the On3 Impact 300, Washington currently has a $246,000 NIL valuation.

7. Ben Yurosek, Stanford

Yurosek is coming off a monster sophomore season at Stanford, accounting  for 43 catches for 658 yards and three touchdowns. He had 13 catches for 20 or more yards, ranking second among Power 5 tight ends. He also had multiple 40-yard touchdown catches, proving to be a big-play threat for Stanford.

8. Sam LaPorta, Iowa

LaPorta had a breakout year as a junior last season, hauling in a career-high 53 passes for the Hawkeyes. He also posted career-highs in yards (670) and touchdowns (3). The Highland (Ill.) native’s junior campaign put him over the 1,000-yard receiving yard mark for his career. LaPorta checks in with an On3 NIL Valuation of $155,000.

9. Marshon Ford, Louisville

Ford has one of the longest track records of success of any tight end on this list, playing a significant role at Louisville in each of the last three seasons. He has 94 career catches for 1,151 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also checks in with an NIL valuation of $181,000.

10. Michael Trigg, Ole Miss

After spending one season at USC, Trigg heads a little closer to home (Tampa, Fla.) to play for Ole Miss. He had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown as a freshman for the Trojans. Trigg was ranked as the No. 33 overall transfer in the country in the On3 Transfer Portal rankings, carrying an NIL valuation of $177,000.

Check out On3’s Top 10 quarterbacks , Top 10 running backs, and Top 10 wide receivers for 2022.