Just the other day, I looked at a great athletic group of tight ends that could easily finish in the top 10 in the P4 ranks. Today, we continue that look, and this time, we will use names you may not have spent too much time on. Starting with a post-hype sleeper! You can read part 1 of this article here. Otherwise, let’s get into it!
Jack Velling, Michigan State – .888 Star Index
A post-hype sleeper making the list?! Velling was a 2024 favorite amongst all drafters, and with good reason. He was coming off an 8-touchdown season, and while transferring out of Oregon State, he was teaming up with the same coaching staff and was familiar with Aidan Chiles. Unfortunately for him, Chiles was awful, and the staff didn’t have him air it out. We won’t likely see Chiles throw 400+ times, but Velling is a great red zone threat coming off a fairly productive 2024 (36/411/1). All he needs is better touchdown luck and for Chiles to throw for closer to 20 touchdowns than 13. I can easily see myself investing in Velling a good bit in 2025 with his high Star Index on top of the above.
Marlin Klein, Michigan – .770 Star Index
Michigan just produced a top-10 tight end in Colston Loveland, and that was with about as bad of a passing game as it gets. There’s hope with Bryce Underwood/Mikey Keene both in town. Klein was fairly productive as a backup in 2024, catching 13 passes for 108 yards in nine games. I came away from watching their offense liking Klein and what could happen when he gets the starting role. Michigan has always loved throwing to the tight end, and with Chip Lindsay as offensive coordinator, that trend should stay true. Last year, UNC’s top two tight ends combined for 60 receptions, 634 yards, and six touchdowns. The year before, these two tight ends combined for 59 receptions, 864 yards, and nine touchdowns! I’m not reading too much into Lindsay’s struggles to get the tight end involved at Troy.
Carter Nelson, Nebraska – .945 Star Index
We’re staying in the Big Ten, baby! It should come as no surprise that the Big Ten has plenty of intriguing options at this position. This has always been the case, and it continues with Carter Nelson. The 6’5″, 230 lb. second-year player played in just four games last season but was hyped up all year. The staff seems to be a fan of him, even talking about him playing receiver. This isn’t surprising considering his high Star Index (the second best of everyone listed in this article series). Thomas Fidone is out at Nebraska making Nelson a legitimate option to start in 2025. Like with Velling, Nelson will need his quarterback to have a pulse, but I think that shouldn’t be an issue considering Dylan Raiola’s recruiting pedigree and early performances.
Brady Hunt, South Carolina – .767 Star Index
Michael Smith, South Carolina – .72 Star Index
A few years back, Brady Hunt was a great tight end talent, catching 46 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns. It’s been a bit since that great season with Ball State. Joshua Simon was the guy for the Gamecocks in 2024, catching seven touchdowns with 519 receiving yards. He also led the team in target share at 17.6%! This is excellent news for those looking to take a leap of faith with Hunt. Instead, could we see the younger tight end, Michael Smith, take over that role? He out-produced Hunt with ten receptions to only two for Hunt in 2024. I’m never a fan of drafting a tight end amidst a battle, so this will be a wait-and-see situation. Both are athletically gifted and worth a pick if we hear who will start in 2025. If we don’t get that information, though, this is a situation I’d rather avoid.
Andrew Rappleyea, Penn State – .874 Star Index
Luke Reynolds, Penn State – .733 Star Index
Penn State’s tight ends have been productive for years, but no more than last year when Tyler Warren was a cheat code. Who will replace him in 2025? Rappleyea and Reynolds are young physical athletes who would surprise no one if they’re the next Penn State tight end drafted. Reynolds had nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown in 2024, while Rappleyea did not record a catch after suffering an early injury. It’s quite likely that this is a green banana situation. If we don’t see production from one of them until 2026, maybe the room thins out some. Another factor here is Khalil Dinkins, the redshirt senior who has seen consistent playing time over the past few seasons. Much like the South Carolina guys, I hope to hear something definitive on starters and how significant their role could be before drafting either of these players.
