1. ••••• Kent Taylor 6-5, 218, 4.69 Land O’ Lakes, FL
This young man reminds me of Greg Olson physically, facially, and athletically.
On Film–#1 does a great job of creating miss-matches, whether he is split out or with his hand on the ground. He runs very well for a 218 pounder and has the growth potential to weigh 250 in college. He gets off the line quickly and is flexible enough to avoid traffic, find the open seam, catch the ball with his hands, and then get good separation from the defender. He gets his head around quickly and has proven to be a long ball threat. He presents a big target who dominates the middle of the field, has good leaping ability, and is a long strider who can pick up yardage in chunks. The nation’s #1 TE prospect has proven to be a difference maker at the high school level and he’s the nation’s most athletic TE with great ball skills and super strong hands.
Stats–Caught 36 passes for 636 yds and 10 TDs in 2010 averaging 19 yds per catch.
Other Sports–He has batted over .350 in baseball. His father, Rob Taylor, played ball at Northwestern and was in the pro’s with Tampa Bay from 1986 to 1994.
Grades–His GPA is 2.9 and he scored a 910 on the SAT. Benches 275.
Favorite Schools–PENN STATE, AL, FL, FSU, TX, STANFORD, NOTRE DAME, AR, NORTHWESTERN, USC, and TN.
2. ••••+ Taylor McNamara 6-5, 232, 4.78 San Diego Westview, CA
The #1 TE prospect in California and one of the country’s top three.
On Film–#88 impresses you right off the bat with his unusual quickness off the ball. He shows soft hands, natural receiving skills, does a great job of adjusting to the ball in the air, can make a difficult catch look easy, shows good concentration, can extend his arms and catch the ball away from his body, and rarely drops anything within reach. Like Florida’s Kent Taylor, McNamara can effectively spread out and go deep. He shows the ability to create extra yardage after the catch, is also able to run over defenders, and athletic enough to run around them.
Stats–Earned All-League and All-Area honors in 2010 after averaging over 15 yds per catch.
Grades–His GPA is 3.0 and he scored a 1450 on the SAT. Benches 275 and has a 34″ VJ.
Favorite Schools–Committed to ARIZONA.
3. •••• Jesse James 6-8, 246, 4.8 McKeesport South Allegheny, PA
The word here is potential. Rarely do you see someone close to 6-8 and 246 pounds run the way Jesse does. He is not yet a difference maker but has that kind of potential. In fact, with his height, long arms, and growth potential, he might wind up playing LT in college. Wherever he winds up you can bet with his size and athletic ability, Jesse will dominate.
On Film–Also excels as an end on defense.
Stats–Earned 1st Team class AA Century League honors at TE.
Other Sports–He’s a top-notch heavyweight wrestler.
Favorite Schools–Committed to PENN STATE.
4. •••• Devin Funchess 6-4, 210, 4.6 Farmington Hills Harrison, MI
As a receiver he’s a hybrid who could wind up playing WR or TE.
On Film–He played both WR and TE during the 2010 season. He catches the ball with his hands and shows outstanding leaping ability, concentration and toughness catching the ball over the middle. He certainly shows the potential to become an elite TE prospect at the next level. He fights for yardage after the catch and is cat-quick with excellent change of direction. An explosive ball player, he has a great attitude and work ethic. He also has the frame to weigh 240 to 250 within a couple of years. He runs like a WR but blocks like a TE. A superior talent.
Stats–Caught 36 passes for 738 yds and 6 TDs as a junior averaging 20 yds per catch. You have to go a long way to find a TE who has averaged 20 yds per catch for the entire season. Totaled 9 tackles and 1 pick seeing limited duty at DE.
Grades–His GPA is 2.9. Benches 245.
Favorite Schools–Committed to MICHIGAN.
5. ••••+ Charles (Justin) Meredith 6-5, 219, 4.58 Anderson T.J. Hanna, SC
The #1 TE prospect in South Carolina, he also ranks as the nation’s #4 tight end.
On Film–Justin runs great routes, catches everything within reach, is a tremendous lead blocker, and can split out and even play WR. A hybrid in high school who will wind up playing TE in college. When I watched Justin on film I was impressed with his lightening quick reactions, and his ability to quickly avoid traffic, find the open space, catch the ball, and immediately turn up field. Exceptionally athletic, he shows surprising speed, which he uses to gain significant yardage after the catch. He does a great job of putting his body between the ball and the defender, and also plays a little end on defense. He has the frame to weigh 240 in college.
Stats–Caught 25 passes for 376 yds and 2 scores in 2010.
Grades–His GPA is 3.7. Benches 325 and has a 36″ VJ.
Favorite Schools–Committed to NORTH CAROLINA.
6. •••• Dillon Gordon 6-5, 260, 4.9 River Ridge John Curtis, LA
Dillon is a big guy with quick feet and a big-time future.
On Film–He’s an aggressive, quick footed, technically sound TE who presents a big target for the Curtis quarterback. He shows great hands, is a terrific blocker, and is capable of playing in-line ou out-wide. In fact, he is such a good run blocker that some people believe he could wind up playing along the OL in college. Very strong at the point of attack, he has proven to be a very capable underneath receiver with decent speed and excellent body control.
Stats–Caught 12 passes for 200 yds and 2 TDs and graded out at over 80% in his blocking assignments in 2010.
Other Sports–Has batted over .500 in baseball as a first baseman, and averages 10 points and 7 rebounds a game as a center in basketball.
Grades–His GPA is over a 2.0. Benches 365.
Favorite Schools–Committed to LSU.
7. •••• Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick 6-5, 260, 4.9 Rocklin Whitney, CA
As big, quick, and as physical as they come.
On Film–He’s a gifted TE with surprising quickness and speed. He shows the quickness and flexibility to sustain and get good leverage on his blocks, he’s quick enough to effectively reach linebackers on the second level, and possesses rare strength and athleticism for a TE. When given the chance, he also shows a good, strong pair of hands, catches the ball away from his body, and can create a little bit after the catch.
Grades–His GPA is over a 3.0.
Favorite Schools–Committed to USC.
8. •••• Colin Thompson 6-6, 250, 4.79 Warminster Archbishop Wood, PA
I watched Colin perform down in San Antonio and came away impressed with him not only as a receiver but also as a run blocker.
On Film–He’s the prototypical TE with quick hands, quick feet, runs precise routes, and dominates as a blocker. On a team loaded with Division I players the coach says he may be the best of all of them. A playmaker, he has the quickness and flexibility to dominate as both a receiver and blocker. He gets good leverage, is quick to reach linebackers on the second, and excels in open field blocks. He shows surprising speed for a 250 pounder to gain additional yardage after the catch. Perfectly suited for a pro-style offense, he’s also a reliable end on defense.
Stats–Recorded 55 tackles, 8 sacks, 20 tackles for losses, and 2 picks at DE. He caught 13 passes for close to 200 yds and 8 TDs at TE. Earned All-Philadelphia area honors.
Grades–His GPA is 3.3. Benches 260 and has a 24″ VJ.
Favorite Schools–Committed to FLORIDA.
9. •••• Sean Price 6-4, 215, 4.8 Citra North Marion, FL
Called a major playmaker by his coach and by just about everyone who has played against him.
On Film–He played around 200 pounds last season so he was more of a WR than a TE but shows good speed, athletic ability, and growth potential. Runs like a WR but has also proven to be an outstanding blocker who gives good effort. However, right now he lacks the bulk and strength to compete as an inline blocker. Still, he’s one of the more productive receivers in the country who does a great job of putting his body between the ball and the defender.
Stats–Earned All-Central Florida honors for his play at receiver.
Grades–His GPA is over a 3.0.
Favorite Schools–Committed to SOUTH FLORIDA.
10. •••• Evan Baylis 6-5, 228, 4.8 Aurora Grandview, CO
The state’s #1 TE prospect and one of the country’s finest.
On Film–#88 was the Wolves’ leading receiver blending great size with unusual quickness and great technique. He seems to do everything effortlessly and has been blessed with long arms and surprising body control. A very flexible athlete who presents a big target over the middle and has shown the ability to take a hit. Loves to compete and has really improved as a run blocker. He does everything asked of him and is as smooth as they come.
Stats–Caught 33 passes for 456 yds and 6 TDs on his way to earning class 4A H-M All-State honors.
Other Sports–He’s a standout in lacrosse.
Grades–His GPA is 3.4. Benches 265 and has a 27″ VJ.
Favorite Schools–Committed to OREGON.
