Newcomers In The CFB Saturdays College Football TE Rankings: 2021 Preseason

With the 2020 season in the books we have removed the tight ends who have moved on and updated the College Football TE rankings. A few notes before we discuss the rankings themselves.

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football TE Rankings here.

Here is a look at a few of the tight ends that have debuted in the rankings after a promising 2020:

Issac Rex – BYU

Issac Rex played in just one game in 2019 and took a redshirt. 2020 was a big year for the entire BYU football program and Rex became one of the key contributors for the Cougars. He acclimated well to the offense and became a touchdown machine down the stretch. Rex caught two touchdown passes in five of the last seven games in 2020. He finished the season with 37 catches for 429 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games.

Rex has a good build for a tight end at 6’6″ 247 lbs with room to continue to fill out. He is strong at the point of attack and has the athleticism to get downfield and block quicker defenders at the second level. His size is an asset in the redzone and in contested situations where Rex is able to shield off defenders with his frame. He has the athleticism to get down the seams and make plays downfield as well. Rex has good ball skills and will high point the ball and make plays over the top of defenders. Rex was a big weapon for BYU and will be a major asset for the new quarterback in 2021.

BYU Cougars Gear

Isaiah Likely – Coastal Carolina

Likely has been a contributor at tight end since his true freshman season. He made 12 catches as a freshman, 30 as a sophomore and in 2020 added a 30 catch season as a junior. Likely is a downfield threat in the passing games who makes big plays averaging over 20 yards per catch in 2020. Coastal Carolina had a historic season finishing 11 – 1 and Likely was one of the key weapons on offense. He caught 30 passes for 601 yards and 5 touchdowns in 11 games this past season.

Likely has good size at 6’4″ 245 lbs and excellent athleticism for that size. He has good speed to get behind the defense and is able to create mismatches with linebackers and some defensive backs. He runs clean routes and gets open over the middle of the field quickly. With his size and athleticism, Likely is a good run after the catch threat once he gets the ball. Likely will be a key cog in what should be an explosive offense for Coastal Carolina in 2020.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Gear

Josh Whyle – Cincinnati

Cincinnati was another Group of Five team that had an excellent run in 2020. The Bearcats had an undefeated regular season and came up just short against Georgia in their bowl game. Just a sophomore, Whyle was a big part of the passing game for the Bearcats, ranking second on the team in receptions and leading the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Whyle made 28 receptions for 353 yards and 6 touchdowns in ten games during the 2020 season.

Whyle is still filling out his frame but at 6’6″ and 235 lbs he has the height and length to create mismatches in the defensive backfield. He runs well, showing good speed and burst to create separation and yards after the catch. Whyle tracks the ball, then adjusts to the ball well and can make tough catches over defenders or along the sideline. He showed a lot of progress as a sophomore and should continue to reach new heights in 2021.

Cincinnati Bearcats Gear

Greg Dulcich – UCLA

Dulcich was a revelation for the Bruins in 2020. After playing a minimal role in the offense over his first two seasons, Dulcich had a big season in 2020. He was the team leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and helped Dorian Thompson-Robinson reach new heights as a quarterback. Dulcich was huge in the shootout against USC, catching 8 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown. He finished the 2020 season with 26 catches for 517 yards and 5 touchdowns in just seven games.

At 6’4″ 245 lbs, Dulcich is a well built tight end that can overpower second level defenders. He is an intelligent receiver who finds gaps in the coverage and can work the zones in the intermediate passing game. Dulcich is an above average athlete, who can get behind the defense and make plays over the top as well. With a strong 2020 season under his belt, Dulcich is primed for bigger things in 2021.

UCLA Bruins Gear

Sam LaPorta – Iowa

Iowa is one of the best schools in the country at developing tight ends. Sam LaPorta is the next player who will be joining that strong tradition. He is a consistent threat in the passing game who made multiple catches in six of his eight games in 2020. LaPorta led the team in receptions and finished second on the team in receiving yards. The sophomore finished the 2020 season with 27 catches for 271 yards and a touchdown in eight games.

LaPorta is a well built 6’4″ and 249 lbs. He runs good routes, getting in and out of his breaks efficiently and presenting a good target for his quarterback. He uses his body to shield off defenders and is tough enough to complete that play through contact. He understands the nuances of the play and does a good job of setting defenders up, making it easier to create space and get open. LaPorta has become a good blocker, learning to use leverage and technique to beat bigger defenders at the line of scrimmage. LaPorta has a strong work ethic and it shows in the improvements he made from his freshman to sophomore year, if that carries over to 2021 LaPorta will continue to climb the list.

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For the complete Top 25 TE Rankings click here.

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