Colston Loveland, Caden Prieskorn and Mitchell Evans: A look at top 10 highest-rated tight ends ahead of Week 4 matchups
College football demands tight ends who can wear many hats. The nation's top tight ends are players who are versatile enough to be major receiving threats and great blockers. It's a complementary role that can sometimes sneak by unacknowledged.
With that in mind, here are 10 of the nation's best and how their 2024 season has gone.
Top 10 highest-rated tight ends ahead of Week 4
#10. Joe Royer, Cincinnati
A transfer from Ohio State, Royer is making the most of more playing time. Royer has 11 receptions for 165 yards and two scores for the Bearcats and has been an outstanding complement to receiver Xzavier Henderson. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Royer is a standout.
#9. Harold Fannin, Bowling Green
Fannin was Bowling Green's top receiver last year (44 catches, 623 yards). The 6-foot-4 junior is playing well this season. He is again leading the team with 17 catches for 204 yards so far.
#8. Oscar Delp, Georgia
Delp is a true balanced tight end. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, he's still an effective perimeter blocker. His pass catching has been slow to open 2024, with just three catches for 25 yards.
#7. Tyler Warren, Penn State
Warren is a 6-foot-6, 252-pound tight end who was excellent a year ago, snagging 34 passes for 422 yards and seven scores. He's currently Penn State's top receiver with 11 catches for 176 yards and a touchdown in just two games played.
#6. Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse
Gadsden was a star in 2022, with 969 yards receiving, but missed almost the entire 2023 season due to injury. The 6-foot-5 junior has been a major beneficiary of Kyle McCord's passing excellence, with 13 catches for 201 yards and three scores already. That's in just two games, as Syracuse already had a week off.
#5. Mason Taylor, LSU
Always a solid complementary receiver, the 6-foot-6 Taylor is making strides in 2024. Taylor ties for team-high honors with 17 catches. He has 160 yards and a touchdown and could continue to shine for the Tigers.
#4. Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
The 6-foot-5 senior had 585 receiving yards and five scores a year ago. With QB Max Johnson lost for the year, Nesbit could be a significant security blanket for the UNC passers. He's the top Tar Heels receiver so far with eight catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.
#3. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Evans led Notre Dame with 29 catches a season ago and could well be the team's top receiver in 2024. He has just five catches for 53 yards, but Riley Leonard will likely come to rely increasingly on Evans as the season continues.
#2. Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss
A season ago, Prieskorn had 30 catches for 449 yards. While Ole Miss is using the receivers more early in the season, watch for Prieskorn to play a bigger role as the season continues. Still, he already has seven catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.
#1. Colston Loveland, Michigan
A consensus pick for the nation's best tight end, the 6-foot-5, 237-pound star is on a great start to 2024. He comfortably leads UM's players with 19 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown.
Which tight ends do you think are the nation's best? Share your thoughts and rankings below in our comments section!