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NFL Draft 2026 Tight End Rankings

Every college football season brings a new wave of offensive innovation, and the tight end position continues to evolve at the center of that transformation. This season’s Top 10 College Football Tight Ends 2025-2026 rankings shine a spotlight on the players redefining the position through size, athleticism, and production across every major conference.

Once reserved primarily for blocking and occasional short-yardage catches. Today’s tight ends are hybrid athletes, larger than slot receivers, faster than linebackers, and dynamic enough to create mismatches in every offensive system. 

Tight ends have never mattered more than they do in the current era of college football. As spread systems give way to multiple-tight-end formations and motion-heavy sets, the nation’s best coaching staffs are designing full playbooks around these versatile weapons. Several of the country’s elite programs, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oregon among them, have featured their star tight ends as go-to threats in the red zone or as reliable third-down options. From downfield seam routes to chip blocks that spring 60-yard runs, these players shape both the passing and ground games with their rare two-way skill sets.

Among the list of talented tight ends include Eli Stowers of the Vanderbilt Commodores, Kenyon Sadiq of the Oregon Ducks, and Tanner Koziol of the Houston Cougars to name just a few. From breakout performers in the Power Five to dominant standouts from smaller programs, college football’s tight end landscape has never featured more parity or depth. Here is a look at the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends 2025-2026 Rankings:

Honorable Mentions

Jeremiah Franklin

School: Boston College Eagles

NFL Draft Status: 2026 NFL Draft

Just missing the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends 2025-2026 rankings list is the Boston College Eagles senior Jeremiah Franklin.

Franklin has quietly been one of the ACC’s steadiest contributors at the tight end position, combining a wide-catch radius with the kind of physicality Boston College demands at the line of scrimmage. At six foot three inches  and 244 pounds, Franklin operates like a traditional tight end but has evolved into a legitimate receiving threat, finishing 2025 setting career highs in receptions with 49 and receiving yards with 506 while also adding two touchdown receptions.

His blocking remains a key part of BC’s run-first identity, frequently sealing edges and providing pass protection against top-tier defensive ends. 

Sam Roush

School: Stanford Cardinal

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

A second talented tight end just missing the list is the Stanford Cardinal senior Sam Roush.

Roush embodies the classic Stanford tight end tradition, disciplined, technically sharp, and equally effective as a blocker and receiver. At six foot five inches and 260 pounds, Roush used his size, athleticism, and strength both as a pass catching threat as well as a key blocker up front both in passing and running situations. The talented Cardinal tight end is strong at the point of attack, especially in play-action packages where he can sell the block before releasing into routes.

After a strong 40 catch and 334 receiving yard season as a junior, Roush improved during his final season with the club posting a career high 49 catches to go along with 545 receiving yards with touchdown receptions. Roush’s football IQ, route precision, and leadership make him indispensable to Stanford’s offensive blueprint.

Top 10 Best Tight Ends in College Football 2025-2026 Rankings

10. Jack Endries

School: Texas Longhorns

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Closing out the back end of the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends 2025-2026 rankings list is the talented third year tight end and first year Texas Longhorns tight end Jack Endries.

After back-to-back seasons posting at least 35 receptions and at least 408 yards, Endries made the move from the California Bears to the Longhorns. While his overall statistics dropped to 38 catches, 311 receiving yards, and two touchdown receptions, Endries impact was more than just the numbers. At six foot four inches, Endries balanced finesse and power, carving out an identity as a dependable target across the middle along with delivering a proven blocker up front.

His reliability on third downs and play-action seam routes made him a key part of the Longhorns run within the SEC conference. Expect his draft stock to rise significantly next spring.

9. Eli Raridon

School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Few tight ends embody the Notre Dame Fighting Irish standard like Eli Raridon, a complete all around player with NFL potential written all over him.

Injuries initially slowed his overall potential limiting him to just nine games on the season, however Raridon produced over that nine game stretch as valuable as any tight end in the country. Playing on a loaded Fighting Irish offense, Raridon was often a third and fourth option, but used his big play potential to post 32 catches for 482 yards over the course of the season.

His blend of size at six foot seven inches, strength, hands, and vertical burst made it difficult for opposing defenses. Beyond receiving, Raridon’s blocking technique ranks among the best nationally, showing crisp leverage and drive while opening up holes for All-American running back Jeremiah Love. His leadership and game intelligence have cemented him as the cornerstone of the Fighting Irish offense all season.

8. Joe Royer

School: Cincinnati Bearcats

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Another hidden gem among the 2025-2026 college football tight end class was the Cincinnati Bearcats senior Joe Royer.

After starting his career with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Royer’s transition to the Bearcats before the 2024 season paid off for both the team as well as for himself.  Dealing with early career injuries and limited production, Royer exploded in both seasons, posting 416 receiving yards and a career high four touchdowns during his final season. Royer’s combination of six at six foot five inches, speed, and athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare, especially on third downs when he thrives running seam routes or pivoting across the formation.

Even more impressive is his leadership, teammates often credit his work ethic in film sessions and practices. With his blend of toughness and intelligence, Royer has positioned himself as one of the Big 12’s premier all-around tight ends.

7. Max Klare

School: Ohio State Buckeyes

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

The Ohio State Buckeyes offense is loaded with blue-chip receivers including All-American Jeremiah Smith, however Max Klare has carved a vital niche as the Buckeyes’ intermediate chain-mover when called upon.

Emerging as a breakout performer in 2025 after transferring in from the Purdue Boilermakers, Klare’s 448 yards and two touchdowns only tell part of the story. His presence forces defenses to account for another reliable route-runner in their overloaded formations while his strength and blocking helps elevate the talented Buckeyes rushing attack. At six foot five inches and 243 pounds, Klare is polished in route detail, consistently finding soft spots in coverage to give his quarterback high-percentage looks.

His blocking, once considered a weakness, has developed steadily, giving the Buckeyes run-game diversity. Klare’s balance of strength, smarts, and selflessness makes him one of the more underrated players on an otherwise star-heavy Ohio State roster looking to repeat as National Champions.

6. Dorian Thomas

School: New Mexico Lobos

NFL Draft Status: Transfer Portal

After a limited role with the Arizona Wildcats last season, the decision to transfer to the New Mexico Lobos rewarded Dorian Thomas a chance to showcase his potential as a top tier tight end.

Thomas did not disappoint in his first season with the Lobos finishing second on the team in receptions (56), second on the team in receiving yards (560), and first on the team in touchdown receptions (3). In addition to the strong performance among the Lobo’s roster, Thomas also finished the season ranked fifth among all tight ends in receiving yards. Thomas might not play in a Power Five conference, but his production stands tall among any tight end in the country.

A focal point of New Mexico’s offense, Thomas showcased soft hands, excellent body control, agility, athleticism and speed to create a mismatch among opposing defenses. 

5. Carsen Ryan

School: BYU Cougars

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Capping off the Top 5 tight ends on the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends 2025-2026 rankings list is the talented BYU Cougars senior Carsen Ryan.

Ryan, who elected to transfer in for his senior season, added a dynamic element to the Cougars passing attack while delivering the team a big time threat standing at six foot four inches. Ryan’s evolution into one of the country’s top tight ends has mirrored BYU’s offensive adaptability. Despite coming up just short of a College Football Playoff appearance, Ryan and the Cougars offense was as impressive as any in the country.

Over the course of the season, Ryan paced the offense posting a career high 45 catches to go along with 620 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. His toughness after the catch and willingness to block make him a complete player, anchoring one of college football’s most consistent offenses in 2025.

4. Michael Trigg

School: Baylor Bears

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

After transferring from Ole Miss, Michael Trigg revitalized his career at Baylor, reminding everyone why he was once one of the most hyped recruits in the country at the tight end position.

The Bears have leaned heavily on the six foot four inch Trigg as a central piece of their offense, using him as both an in-line blocker and a mismatch weapon in the passing game. After a strong first season with the Bears last season, Trigg took his play to the next level finishing the season ranked among the top tight ends in football in receptions (50), receiving yards (694), and touchdown receptions (694).

Trigg brings explosive athleticism, particularly after the catch, and can split out wide when needed. Now the talented Bears tight end will look to continue that success at the next level in the NFL. 

3. Tanner Koziol

School: Houston Cougars 

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

One tight end that saw his name move up the tight end rankings list is the Houston Cougars senior Tanner Koziol.

Koziol’s transfer from Ball State to Houston turned out to be one of the most impactful portal moves of the offseason. The six foot seven inch, 240 pound tight end wasted no time asserting himself as the Cougars’ go-to option in high-pressure situations. Recording 74 receptions for 727 yards and six touchdowns, Koziol showcased impeccable timing with his quarterback and the ability to dominate smaller defensive backs.

His route sharpness and sure-handedness make him a chain-mover, while his physical toughness helps him thrive on contested catches. Koziol quickly became one of the most reliable and productive tight ends in college football while emerging as one of the top tight end NFL Draft prospects leading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

2. Kenyon Sadiq

School: Oregon Ducks

NFL Draft Status: Undecided

When it comes to the top tight ends in college football, it is hard to look past Kenyon Sadiq of the Oregon Ducks.

Sadiq, represents the future prototype of college tight ends, a fast, fluid, and explosive athlete capable of lining up anywhere on the field. At Oregon, he’s been a key weapon within the team’s dynamic offense, over the past two seasons delivering the team a weapon that can not only block but separate from linebackers and safeties in passing situations. Sadiq capped off his third season with the Ducks posting a career high and a team leading 42 catches to go along with 509 receiving yards a team high eight touchdown receptions.THe versatility Sadiq brings allows the Ducks to disguise plays, often using him in motion or slot alignments to manipulate defensive coverages.

In short, Sadiq blends athleticism and intelligence better than almost anyone at the position, making him a likely All-American and legitimate John Mackey Award front-runner if he returns for his senior season.

1. Eli Stowers

School: Vanderbilt Commodores

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

At the top of this year’s Top 10 College Football Tight Ends 2025-2026 rankings stands a player who has completely transformed Vanderbilt’s offensive identity, Eli Stowers.

Once a quarterback recruit at Texas A&M, Stowers reinvented himself as a tight end, and his ascent has been nothing short of extraordinary. At six foot four inches and 235 pounds, he pairs elite football IQ with natural athleticism, creating mismatches that few defenses can solve. After spending time with teammate Diego Pavia with the New Mexico State Aggies, the two found their home with the Commodores turning around their program and leading them to a competitor within a loaded SEC conference.

Stowers capped off his 2025 season posting a career high 62 catches to go along with 769 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions while also taking home the John Mackey award handed to the best tight end in college football. Stowers isn’t just the No. 1 tight end in college football, he’s the prototype for what modern programs covet: intelligence, versatility, and playmaking brilliance.

How would you rank the Best Tight Ends in College Football for the 2025-2026 season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings.