Risers In The CFB Saturdays College Football TE Rankings

With a few weeks of the season in the books and an opportunity to see how players have developed we have 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 who have made big moves up in the rankings.

Austin Stogner – Oklahoma

Stogner plays the H-Back role for Oklahoma, and has thrived in his second season in Norman. The 6’6″ 260 lb athlete has excellent size to create mismatches for the offense. With that size, Stogner also has good athleticism, which allows him to get open downfield and create big plays. He has improved as a blocker in the run game, but especially as a route runner. Stogner sets his defender up well, creating space so he can separate and catch the football. Even when he is covered, his size and ball skills make it difficult for the defender to keep him from coming down with the football. His second year in Norman has been a breakthrough season for Stogner.

Through the first seven games of the season Stogner has been a reliable target for new quarterback Spencer Rattler. Stogner has accumulated 25 catches for 410 yards and 3 touchdowns, with all three touchdowns coming in the last four games. His improvement as a blocker allows Stogner to be on the field more and gives him more opportunities to make an impact. He has certainly taken advantage of those opportunities and should continue to thrive as the offense progresses. Oklahoma has plenty of youth playing at the skill positions this season, they are growing up fast and Stogner is one of the stars the Sooners will look to going forward.

Arik Gilbert – LSU

Gilbert arrived this season at LSU with high expectations. He was one of the top recruits in the country and played a position where the Tigers were losing their top two contributors from last years team. Gilbert has been as advertised so far this season, showing the athleticism and ball skills that, combined with his size, make him one of the most coveted recruits in America. At 6’5″ 249 lbs, Gilbert does not look like a true freshman on the field, nor does he play like one. Gilbert is a fluid athlete who moves like a receiver and tracks the ball exceptionally well. He has already displayed his ability to get open and make big plays for the offense, his role will continue to grow in 2020 and beyond.

Tight end is a difficult spot to make an impact as a true freshman, there are many responsibilities that do not show up on the stat sheet but impact the playing time a player will get. Gilbert has proven he can hold his own in all aspects of the position, earning himself the playing time to make an impact in the passing game. Through five games, Gilbert has accounted for 259 receiving yards on 22 catches and 2 touchdowns. LSU has already played three different quarterbacks this year, as they get more consistency from the quarterback position, Gilbert will be able to make an even greater impact.

Briley Moore – Kansas State

Briley Moore transferred from Northern Iowa to Kansas State before the 2020 season with one season of eligibility remaining. He has been an excellent addition to the Wildcats tight end room and a key player on offense. Moore excels as a blocker at the tight end position. He is an asset in the run game and would be a major contributor even if he wasn’t such an adept pass catcher. Unfortunately for the rest of the Big 12, Moore is a good pass catcher who moves surprisingly well at his size. The 6’4″ 250 lb tight end is a load to bring down, breaking tackles and picking up tough yards after the catch regularly. Moore may only be at Kansas State one season, but he is certainly making that season count.

With starting quarterback Skylar Thompson out for the year, Moore and star running back Deuce Vaughn have been the top options on offense for the Wildcats. Through six games, Moore has made 19 catches for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns, leading the team in catches and touchdown receptions. In addition to his work as a receiver, Moore has been a strong run blocker for Kansas State as well. He and Vaughn are the go-to options on offense for the Wildcats, Moore should have a strong finish to the 2020 season.

Michael Mayer – Notre Dame

Mayer is also a true freshman who has quickly emerged on the scene. The highly coveted recruit from Kentucky was the crown jewel of the Notre Dame 2020 recruiting class and it is easy to see why. Mayer is a big, physical tight end who checks in at 6’5″ 235 lbs, but plays and looks stronger than his listed weight. He has the technical skill as a receiver to run clean routes and create separation in tight spaces. Mayer has good hands and catches the ball well, even in contested situations. Once he has the ball, Mayer is a defensive back’s nightmare to tackle, running with power and attitude, punishing defenders on contact. Mayer arrived at Notre Dame physically ready to contribute and has earned a role in the offense.

Notre Dame has eased Mayer into the offense, increasing his targets as the season has moved forward. Through seven games, Mayer has 20 catches for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns, but 13 of those catches and 155 yards have come in the last three games. As he has become comfortable in the offense, the coaches have trusted Mayer to play a larger role in the offense. To his credit he has embraced every opportunity and been ready at every step along the way. Expect Mayer’s playing time and targets to continue to increase and his standing on this list to continue to rise with it.

Will Mallory – Miami

Mallory is a quality tight end who has a good combination of size and athleticism. At 6’5″ 245 lbs, Mallory is big enough to create a mismatch with defensive backs, but also has the athletic ability to get open against linebackers. He has the size and strength to be a capable run blocker and is developing that aspect of his game. Mallory is primarily a pass catcher at the position and has been a key weapon for D’Eriq King since star tight end, Brevin Jordan’s injury.

Mallory and Jordan arrived together at Miami in the 2018 recruiting class. Jordan has gotten the majority of the reps and targets in the passing game, but since Jordan’s injury this season Mallory has had the opportunity to thrive. On the season, Mallory has 13 catches for 219 yards and 4 touchdowns in seven games, but his production has shot up recently. In the last three games (all without Jordan), he has tallied 10 catches for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mallory has blossomed with the extra opportunities he has received and should continue to be a big part of the Miami offense for the rest of 2020 and beyond.

Click here to see the Top 25 TE Rankings.

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