Ranking the top five TE classes in the 2025 recruiting cycle
The dust has settled in the college football recruiting class of 2025 and Rivals is putting a bow on the cycle by looking at the top programs by position. We move to tight end.
RELATED: Final 2025 tight end rankings
1. GEORGIA
No tight end in the country had a more compelling senior season than Georgia signee Elyiss Williams. The top-ranked tight end is a mismatch — on the perimeter, in-line, and flexed out. Williams dominated against single coverage and is superb making contested catches. The 6-foot-7, 240-pounder has a massive catch radius and sure hands with the ability to make plays downfield, underneath, and in the middle of the field. He and fellow in-state tight end Ethan Barbour — who was elevated to a four-star after also making so many plays as a hybrid receiver for state champion Milton (Ga.) High. Todd Hartley is getting two diverse, talented pass-catchers to restock the barrel in Athens.
2. TENNESSEE
The Vols inked Dasaahn Brame out of Kansas — one of the most talented pass-catchers at the position in the country. As a senior for Derby (Kan.), Brame eclipsed 1,000 all-purpose yards and found the end zone 18 times. Lining up all over the formation, Brame has a second gear unique to the position with sure hands and fantastic straight-line speed to attack the seams and make plays vertically. Tennessee also inked four-star tight end Jack Van Dorselaer out of Texas. As a senior for Southlake (Texas) Carroll, Van Dorselaer played on both sides of the ball. He shines as a well-rounded tight end prospect capable impactful as a blocker and as a receiver.
3. PENN STATE
James Franklin and the Nittany Lions flipped four-star tight end Andrew Olesh away from rival Michigan — keeping the touted in-state pass-catcher in Pennsylvania. Olesh is a hybrid tight end with enormous upside as a receiving threat — with great size and range, speed to get downfield, and impactful after the catch. Penn State also signed four-star tight end Matt Henderson out of Virginia. Henderson turned 48 catches into 700-plus yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. He was dynamic as a pass-catcher — with fantastic hands, a vast catch radius, and making grabs through contact. Henderson also shined playing defensive line as a senior.
4. TEXAS
The tight end has been a major piece of the puzzle for Steve Sarkisian at Texas over the years, and the Longhorns added a few players who should see opportunities before too long. The Longhorns kept four-star tight end Nick Townsend in-state. The Houston (Texas) DeKaney product ranked No. 7 in the tight end rankings — and was equally as impressive working on the defensive line as a senior. He’s a twitchy athlete that moves at a different speed.
Texas also brought in four-star athlete Michael Terry, who will see time at tight end as well as a multitude of other roles on the offensive side of the ball. Emaree Winston out of Calhoun (Ga.) gives the Longhorns a true threat to make combat catches in the middle of the field and another movable piece with a diverse skill-set in the tight end room.
5. OHIO STATE
The national champs have always utilized the tight end in the passing game — and the Buckeyes are replenishing the stock with four-star tight end Nate Roberts. The Oklahoma native finished sixth in the tight end rankings — a talented pass-catcher and moveable piece that has sure hands and can eat up targets in the short and intermediate passing game. We love Roberts’ potential in the Ohio State offense. The Buckeyes also inked three-star tight end Brody Lennon — a top-30 prospect at the position — who offers massive long-term upside. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder out of Cleveland has high-end athleticism that could yield big dividends in due time.
