Top 10 tight ends in the updated 2024 On300 rankings

With the high school football season well underway, many of the top recruits in the nation have already had a chance to prove their worth — and their ranking — on the gridiron. Many elite prospects have also already made their college decisions.

The 2024 cycle features a crop of elite tight ends, 14 of whom are top-200 players in On3’s updated 2024 On300 rankings. In total, 23 players at the position currently hold blue-chip status in mid-September.

Below are the top tight ends in the On300.

1. Caleb Odom — Alabama

School: Carrollton (Ga.)
On300 Ranking: No. 25
Scouting Summary: “Caleb Odom is a highly athletic, jumbo receiver with the upside to grow into a dangerous mismatch at tight end. Arguably the most skilled big pass-catcher in the 2024 cycle heading into the senior season. Checked in at listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds with good length for the position prior to his senior year. Starred as a receiver for one of the top high school programs in Georgia as a junior, helping Carrollton to a state title game. A long-striding, bouncy athlete with explosive movements. Has the burst to run past defensive backs as an outside receiver. Shows the ability to high-point passes and make acrobatic grabs in jump ball situations.

…Has good pacing within his routes. Very productive, finishing his junior season with 64 catches for 1,121 yards and 13 touchdowns. Doubles as a big-time above-the-rim athlete in basketball. Has the best dunk reel we’ve seen from a 2024 prospect. Plays high level AAU basketball and is talented enough to play the sport at a high level in college. Has some ambiguity around his long-term position. Could end up as a top player as a receiver or tight end, but may be more unique as a mismatch at tight end at this stage.”

2. Jaden Reddell — Georgia

School: Raymore (Mo.) Peculiar
On300 Ranking: No. 32
Scouting Summary: “Jaden Reddell is a gifted pass-catcher with wide receiver skills and athleticism in a tight end’s body. Measured at around 6-foot-4, 230 pounds in the spring prior to his senior season. Has plus length and a big frame with 34-inch arms and 10-inch hands. Highly proficient as a receiving threat. Has some of the best ball skills in the 2024 cycle, regardless of position. Naturally plucks the ball out of the air and effortlessly tracks the ball over his shoulder, making difficult grabs look routine. Uses his strong hands, coordination and understanding of body positioning to consistently come down with contested catches in jump ball situations.

…Runs very well and has a unique long stride that aids in pulling away once in the open field. Can be a bully after the catch, using a stiff arm to neutralize defenders. Very productive as a junior, catching 49 passes for 1,002 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games. Primarily lines up as a wide receiver for his high school team. Will need to develop as a blocker in order to be an every down tight end as he moves up in level of play. Has also played basketball, showing some athleticism on the hardwood.”

3. Trey’Dez Green — LSU

School: Jackson (La.) Zachary
On300 Ranking: No. 39
Scouting Summary: “Trey’Dez Green is a high flying tight end prospect who plays above the rim on the football field as well as the basketball court. Highly rated basketball player who has serious bounce on the hardwood. 50-50 balls are closer to 70-30 for him with his ability to high point the football. Has rare body control and balance for someone his age with his size. Will have some growing pains as a blocker, but his ability to move and go up and get the football with his size is rare for the position. Arguably the top pass-catching mismatch early on in the 2024 cycle.”

4. Carter Nelson — Nebraska

School: Ainsworth (Neb.)
On300 Ranking: No. 78
Scouting Summary: “Carter Nelson is a tight end prospect with a unique background and one of the stronger athletic profiles among jumbo athletes in the 2024 cycle. Measured at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with solid length for the position prior to his senior season. Looks to have added some mass during his junior year. Hails from a remote area of north central Nebraska, where he plays 8-man football. Plays all over the field for his high school program, as is the case with most college prospects who play 8-man. Lines up as a quarterback, receiver, tight end, takes direct snaps and plays on defense. Looks like a literal man among boys playing at that level. Shows top end speed and bowls over defenders in the open field. Looks to have considerable burst. The best athlete on the field by orders of magnitude. Shows the ability to track the football, but pure receiving skills remain a question.”

5. Luke Reynolds – Penn State

School: Westford (Ma.) Cheshire Academy
On300 Ranking: No. 82
Scouting Summary: “Luke Reynolds is a versatile jumbo athlete with the frame and explosive movement skills to project as a top tight end. Measured at a shade over 6-foot-4 and around 220 pounds prior to his senior year. Has average length with 32.25 -inch arm. Touts a muscular build with the frame to continue adding mass. Registers as a top athlete in the combine setting. Ran an electronic 4.56-second 40-yard dash at Under Armour’s New Jersey camp. Posts vertical leaps in the upper 30’s at college camps. Lined up as a quarterback and pass catcher as a junior. Shows off his athleticism as a run threat from under center. Flashed the ability to come down with contested grabs in limited opportunities as a junior.

…Has the bounce to elevate over defensive backs and the coordination to high point the football. Has fairly polished routes despite not playing the position full-time. Impressed working as a pass catcher at the Elite 11 Finals prior to his senior season, showing outstanding conditioning and overall movement skills. Will need to continue adding size and strength on top of technique to become a well-rounded tight end. Athletic upside is readily apparent and makes him one of the top prospects at the position in the 2024 cycle.”

6. Amir Jackson — Florida

School: Portal (Ga.)
On300 Ranking: No. 100
Scout’s Take: “Amir Jackson is a big athlete who does a good job of taking advantage of one-on-one coverage. His game should go to another level as he gets better at high-pointing the ball, but it’s not often when Jackson loses a one-on-one battle. His strong background in basketball definitely helps with that.

Although Jackson is known for his ability after the catch, that does not mean he is not physical. There are several plays on his highlight reel showing him deliver a strong blow to the defender, often resulting in them laid out on their back. When the opportunity presents itself, Jackson gets downhill in a hurry and is then strong at the point of attack. That part of his game does not get enough credit.”

7. Landen Thomas – Florida State

School: Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County
On300 Ranking: No. 106
Scouting Summary: “Landen Thomas is an effortless mover at tight end whose hips are on a swivel. Measured in at a shade under 6-foot-4 and around 240 pounds prior to his senior season. Does not have an overly large frame or plus length, checking in with 32.25-inch arms and 9.25-inch hands. Finished his junior year at Georgia prep power Colquitt County with 44 catches for 753 yards and 8 touchdowns. Has rare agility and fluidity as a route runner. The change of direction at the top of his routes is elite. Projects as a high end route-runner in the short to intermediate areas of the field.

…Capable of coming down with high-difficulty grabs. Has lined up all over the formation, flexing out into the slot, lining up in-line and also working as a detached H-back. A willing blocker, but can improve in that area. Has yet to register as a top athlete in the camp setting. Can improve consistency with his hands as he had some drops as a junior. Likely projects as a move tight end long-term who could grow into an in-line player with continued progression and growth.”

8. Christian Bentancur — Clemson

School: Woodstock (Ill.) Marian Central Catholic
On300 Ranking: No. 113
About: About: Illinois tight end chose the Tigers over Ohio State and Oregon while also holding offers from the likes of Michigan and Texas A&M. Visited Clemson just twice before committing back in January. “They’ve just been showing so much love and all the recruiting, they’ve been going crazy,” Bentancur told On3. “I went there for the game and the game day experience was just like no other. The love they showed was not even close. The fans, the atmosphere, the light show, everything was just great. All the coaches showing love and stuff like that and the facilities, just everything, it felt like home.”

9. Brady Prieskorn — Michigan

School: Rochester (Mich.) Adams
On300 Ranking: No. 118
Scouting Summary: “Brady Prieskorn is a big-framed athlete who has the skills and upside to develop into a well-rounded in-line tight end. Measured at over 6-foot-5, and north 220 pounds prior to his senior season. Has plus length for the position with a 33-inch arm and close to 10-inch hands. Typically lines up as a big wide receiver in bunch sets on Friday nights. Runs well for his size. Uses his play speed to get vertical on downfield routes. Shows wiggle at the line of scrimmage along with shake at the top of his routes. Has good awareness in finding open space over the middle of the field. Tracks the ball effectively for the most part. Has the length and stature to boast a sizable catch radius with further skill development. Shows flashes as a ball-winner in contested situations.

…Effective on a per catch basis, tallying 24 catches for 648 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. Like some top tight end recruits, also plays defense – doubling as a disruptive defensive end. Has the frame and play strength to develop into an in-line blocker with added size. Can improve his consistency as a pass catcher and clean up concentration drops. Also plays basketball. A tad older for the cycle, turning 19 years-old in May of his senior year. Older brother Caden Prieskorn was a Mackey Award semifinalist at Memphis before transferring to Ole Miss.”

10. Davon Mitchell — Oklahoma

School: Los Alamitos (Calif.)
On300 Ranking: No. 122
Scouting Summary: “Davon Mitchell is a filled out, sure handed tight end with a wide catch radius. Measured at at a shade under 6-foot-3, 250 pounds prior to his senior season. Has long arms relative to the position. Played at powerhouse Allen High School in 2022 before reclassifying to from the 2024 to 2025 cycle and transferring to Los Alamitos High in California. Was productive as a junior, catching 33 passes for 731 yards and 9 touchdowns. Has strong hands. Uses his length to extend for grabs. Adjusts to poorly thrown balls. Capable of locating the football over his shoulder and coming down with contested catches.

…At his most effective when working on vertical routes and down the seam. Runs fairly well for his size. Shows some flashes as a blocker. Primarily has lined up in the slot, but has the look of an in-line tight end who can work up the seam and off of play action. Shorter than most top tight end prospects and is closer to his ultimate size than most of his highly-touted peers. Can improve his short area quickness and ability after the catch. Was initially older for the class as a 2025 prospect, is the correct age for a 2024 prospect.