2010-2011 NCAA College Prospects: Tight Ends

Author's Note: Last year, before I became a Front Page Author, I posted a few pieces on the top college prospects at the very beginning of the college football season for '09-'10. This year, I wanted to do something similar but start it a bit earlier. There are roughly 22 positions (11 on each side of the ball) to focus on. Each week, leading up to the very first NCAA Football Game for the '10-'11 Season, I will take a look at one of the positions. Once I have finished reviewing every position, I will then start creating official college football discussion threads as a FanPost for those that care to talk about college football... or learn more for that matter; I know there were several people that benefited and learned quite a bit more about who was going to be entering the league this year. Each position will vary in the amount of players I cover. Number of players per position will range anywhere from 10-20 of the top prospects. I will be ranking them as to where I think they will be slotted in next years draft should they all enter. Mind you, these are just my opinions, but I feel that the rankings are going to be pretty close to the opinions of the rest of the Nation. I haven't seen any preseason player rankings yet, so it should be interesting to compare to once they come out.

In the last 2010-2011 NCAA Prospects Post we took a look at the wide receivers that will potentially be entering next year. Every year, there are younger players that emerge and knock off some of the upper classmen for their starting positions. However, the tight end position, is a position that it doesn't happen very frequently with. Most of the reason for that, is that the freshman coming in from high school don't necessarily have the muscle mass that the upper classman have built up during their college careers initially. In this past draft there were 20 Tight Ends selected overall. Below, we'll take a look at the players selected at the Tight End position.

Round 1

21st Pick - Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma)

Round 2

42nd Pick - Rob Gronkowski (Arizona)

Round 3

70th Pick - Ed Dickson (Oregon)

93rd Pick - Tony Moeaki (Iowa)

95th Pick - Jimmy Graham (Miami)

Round 4

113th Pick - Aaron Hernandez (Florida)

114th Pick - Dennis Pitta (BYU)

118th Pick - Garrett Graham (Wisonsin)

125th Pick - Clay Harbor (Missouri State)

Round 5

132nd Pick - Michael Hoomanawanui (Illinois)

154th Pick - Andrew Quarless (Penn State)

162nd - Brody Eldridge (Oklahoma)

Round 6

170th Pick - Fendi Onobun (Houston)

174th Pick - Dennis Morris (Louisiana Tech)

182nd Pick - Nate Byham (Pittsburgh)

185th Pick - Anthony McCoy (USC)

Round 7

214th Pick - Mickey Shuler Jr. (Penn State)

227th Pick - Dorin Dickerson (Pittsburgh)

233rd Pick - Jim Dray (Stanford)

235th Pick - Dedrick Epps (Miami)

Hit continue to see next years potential crop...

1. WESLEY SAUNDERS | 6'5" 280 LBS | SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS - Beyond his size, Weslye Saunders is quick, can catch very well, and blocks exceptionally. If can gain momentum throughout the season, he will hands down be the very first tight end off the board. (((Click Here For Highlights)))

2. LANCE KENDRICKS | 6'4" 237 LBS | WISCONSIN BADGERS - Kendricks will take the number one spot from Garrett Graham who entered this past draft. Although Graham was considered the number one, Kendricks had his fair share of highlights for the '09-'10 Season. I fully expect him to get drafted in the top five barring major injury. (((No Highlights Available)))

3. LUKE STOCKER | 6'6" 240 LBS. | TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS - Saunders could very well be the first non-traditional-slash-receiving tight end to come off the board. Stocker has very good hands and will be very hard to cover over the middle of the field. Expect him to be a top-five pick at his position. (((No Highlights Available)))

4. CHARLIE GANTT | 6'5" 248 LBS. | MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS - When it's all said and done, Gantt could be higher than this possibly. He is also a player that could be considerably lower if he does not have a break out year. This year, Gantt will need to try and make himself more of a well-rounded prospect entering the NFL. His blocking skills are not quite yet up to par. (((No Highlights Available)))

5. ANDRE SMITH | 6'5" 268 LBS. | VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES - Smith was injured most of the year, but I am looking for him to be a primary target for Tyrod Taylor. If he can stay healthy through the course of the season, he can be a very high selection as far as tight ends are concerned. His game is very well-rounded. (((Click Here For Highlights)))

6. KONRAD RUELAND | 6'6" 257 LBS. | STANFORD CARDINAL - With Andrew Luck at quarterback, and Luck needing all the help he can get from every weapon on offense. Rueland should be a viable option over the middle for Luck in the up and coming year. (((NO HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE)))

7. BEN CLEVELAND | 6'4" 246 LBS. | ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS - Cleveland, much like Andre Smith will be out to prove that he is what the Razorbacks recruited him to be. Ryan Mallett will need Cleveland to stay healthy in order to reach his full potential of success in the upcoming year. Cleveland has decent hands over the middle but lacks some agility to get out in front in the run game. (((No Highlights Available)))

8. CAMERON GRAHAM | 6'4" 253 LBS. | LOUISVILLE CARDINALS - Graham was one of the primary weapons for the Cardinals last season and not much should change this year. Graham could potentially be much higher than this considering that the Cardinals lost a guy their number one in Scott Long. (((No Highlights Available)))

9. STEPHEN SKELTON | 6'4" 245 LBS. | FORDHAM RAMS - Considering he will not have his brother (John) throwing him the ball anymore due to him being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, Stephen will have his work cut out for him. Skelton showed flashes of brilliance last year but will need to fine tune his blocking a bit more if he wants to make it in the NFL. I believe scouts will be keeping a real close eye on this talented Junior. (((No Highlights Available)))

10. MIKE MCNEILL | 6'4" 244 LBS. | NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS - McNeill should be the corner stone to both Nebraska's run and pass game. He is very well-rounded. His pass catching is a bit better than his blocking but his blocking ability isn't too far behind. (((Click Here For Highlights)))

For the three previous related articles, click below on the position you wish to view. Thanks for reading!

2010-'11 TOP QUARTERBACK PROJECTIONS

2010-'11 TOP RUNNING BACK PROJECTIONS

2010-'11 TOP WIDE RECEIVER PROJECTIONS