The ground’s already starting to rumble as the biggest, baddest tight ends of college football start marching onto the field. Start getting to know the best college football players about to take the nation by storm. Read on as we count down the top 10 tight ends about to enter the 2015-16 NCAA Football season.
Don’t miss out on the stars of college football. Check out our lists of the best quarterbacks and wide receivers in the upcoming NCAA Football season.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Top 10 Tight Ends of the 2015-16 College Football Season
10. Braxton Deaver, Duke
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Braxton Deaver could have made even bigger waves in his college football career. The 6’5”, 240-pound tight end caught 46 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns in Duke’s ACC Coastal Championship-winning run in 2013, but he’s already suffered two ACL injuries (2012 and 2014).
Deaver will return to a program that won just six games in his first two seasons and 19 in his last two. Expect him to be a focal point on offense, especially in the red zone, for as long as he remains healthy.
9. Nick Vannett, Ohio State
This is Nick Vannett’s year when it comes to the Ohio State receiving game. The incoming senior caught 19 passes for 220 yards and five touchdowns as a backup tight end last season. With Jeff Heuerman now in the NFL, expect Vannett to figure prominently in the Buckeyes’ passing game. He’s also a solid blocker, which should help Ezekiel Elliott get going on the ground.
8. Cam Serigne, Wake Forest
Cam Serigne was red-shirted as a two-star recruit in 2013. He exceeded expectations last year, leading the Demon Deacons in receiving with 54 receptions for 531 yards and five touchdowns. Serigne figures to build even more rapport with sophomore quarterback John Wolford. The 6’3”, 245-pound tight end should prove to be a nightmare to contain in the red zone especially with a full season already under his belt.
7. Steven Scheu, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt may have been an afterthought last season after going 0-8 in the SEC, but they do have a promising player in tight end Steven Scheu. Then a junior, Scheu was a constant in the Commodores’ passing game despite having four players involved in a quarterback carousel. He led the Commodores in receiving with 39 catches for 525 yards and four touchdowns.
6. O.J. Howard, Alabama
Amari Cooper owned the Alabama receiving game in his first three years of college football. He’s gone now, which gives O.J. Howard the opportunity to shine. Howard is Alabama’s leading returning receiver after catching 17 catches for 260 yards last year. He’s shown flashes of brilliance such as his 52-yard touchdown score in 2013 against LSU. Howard has the size (6’6”, 242 pounds) and the speed to become a matchup nightmare now as one of the focal points of the Alabama passing game.
5. Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
A tall frame (6’6”, 249 pounds) along with speed and agility should give Bucky Hodges the physicality needed to bruise past defenders as a member of the Hokies’ receiving corps. Hodges exploded for 45 catches, 526 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie last season. His youth should give him plenty of upside as he continues to improve on the field.
4. Josiah Price, Michigan State
Josiah Price was a steady contributor to the Michigan State aerial attack last season, finishing fourth in the team with 374 yards and six touchdowns. He’s bound to get even better entering his junior year with last season’s two leading receivers Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery now in the NFL. Catching passes from a Heisman contender in quarterback Connor Cook should also give Price an advantage.
3. Jonnu Smith, Florida International
Jonnu Smith flew under the radar last season, leading all tight ends in the nation with 710 yards and eight touchdowns for the Florida International Golden Panthers. Smith is a hybrid tight end/wideout, which means that he’ll be all over the field as the Golden Panthers’ go-to receiver. Look for Smith to be one of the bright spots for the Florida International team, which ranked 115th in passing last season.
2. Hunter Henry, Arkansas
Hunter Henry is an all-around tight end for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He’s a physical 6’5”, 250-pound behemoth who could line up and be physical to open up holes for the running game, a staple of the Arkansas offense. Henry is also a competent catcher, finishing fourth in the team with 37 receptions for 513 yards and two touchdowns.
1. Evan Engram, Ole Miss
Exceeding expectations — that’s what Evan Engram of Ole Miss has done in his career. A three-star recruit, Engram has shown speed down the seam, elusiveness with the ball and exceptional hands that could create mismatches all over the field. He caught 38 passes for 662 yards last season, averaging a whopping 17.4 yards per catch.
Create a betting account now and win big as these hulking tight ends take the field for the 2015-16 college football season.
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