2023 Opposing Tight End Unit Ranking

Written by: Zachary Greene

We are ranking each position groups for all of IU’s 2023 opponents. Today, we focus on the tight ends.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes come to town week one with a deep loaded tght end unit led by Senior Cade Stover. Stover has a big frame standing at 6’4 over 250. He was the fourth-ranked played in the state of Ohio after playing mostly linebacker as well as running back in high school. Last season, caught 36 passes for over 400 yards and four TD’s. He earned third-team All Big Ten. He is a physical sure handed ball catcher who was often relied on during third down calls. Behind Stover is Junior Joe Royer and senior Gee Scott Jr. who were both highly touted prospects.

2. Mayland Terrapins

The Hoosiers will travel during to College Park in the middle of their season to face one of the best tight ends in the country Corey Dyches. Dyches returns as a redshirt-junior and one of the Terps captains. Out of high school he was lightly recruited (two-star prospect), he played football and basketball and excelled at both sports. He first entered the program as a wideout before making the switch over to tight end. Last season, he appeared in all 13 games making four starts. He was a Big Ten Honorable Mention, tallying 39 receptions for nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns. His best game came against the Boilermakers where he had 106 receiving yards. Behind Dyches are more of their young power Tight End’s Preston Howard and Rico Walker.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

Theo Johnson leads the Nittany Lions Tight End’s United. A canadian out of Ontario Candand,  Johnson stands at 6’6 264 and appeared in 12 games last season making nine starts. He tallied 20 catches for over 300 yards and four TD’s. He is a former four star prospect and hauled in a touchdown catch in the Rose Bowl last season. Expect him to put up big numbers this season. Behind Johnson are Tyler Warren and Khalil Dinkins who both have multiple years of experience.

4. Michigan Wolverines

One of the best names in the Big Ten leads the Wolverines tight ends. Colston Loveland is a former four-star prospect who is coming off a strong freshman season. Last season, he started in five games and tallied 16 receptions for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. The Iowa native earned great praise from now suspended coach Jim Harbough. He was productive in the programs CFP game and had a 45-yard touchdown reception against Penn State. At the back end of the depth chart is senior, and former Hoosier, AJ Barner and redshirt junior Matthew Hibner.

5. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers struggled on offense last season firing their offensive coordinator in the middle of the season. One of their bright spots was Johnny Langan. The New Jersey native is a versatile, sure handed catcher with experience playing at the quarterback position. Last season, he started one game at Quarterback and the other 11 at Tight End. He tallied 31 receptions for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown. He had a catch in at least every game. Backing Langan is senior Shawn Bowman and Victor Konopaka.

6. Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State had a down season and hope to get right back on track. They are led by redshirt junior Maliq Carr whose a former four star prospect and appeared in all their games last season. He caught four passes against the Hooisers last season including a five yard touchdown. A former Boilmaker Carr transferred in the May of 2021 and also played basketball in the spring for the Spartans. Rounding out the group are Senior’s Jaylan Franklin and Tyneil Hopper.

7. Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin hired Luke Fickel who brings a completely different offense to Madison. They welcomed in a bunch of new players including a new quarterback. Clay Cundiff was supposed to be he leader of the Tight End Unit but he left the program after suffering mutiple injures. Jack Eschenback also left the program who leaves Redshirt Sophmore Jack Pugh as the team’s starter. Pugh played in one game last season and shirted during the 2021 season. Behind Pugh is Redshirt Senior Hayden Rucci and Redshirt Junior Riley Nowakowski.

8. Illinois Fighting Illini

Another great name is Tip Reiman who comes into the season as the Illini starter. The junior and Rapid City, South Dakota native was on the Mackey Award watch list this off-season. He stated in all 13 games for the Illini last season. He hauled in 19 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown. He hopes to built off a strong sophmore season with a new quarterback under center. Rounding out the depth chart is Redshirt Junior Griffiin Moore and Redshirt Sophomore Tanner Arkin.

9. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue lost of their playmakers in Payne Durham to the NFL so Paul Piferi is next in line. He was the back-up last season and stands at 6’4 260. The Redshirt Junior tallied 10 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown. Supporting Piferi is Garrett Miller. They could easily split snaps this upcoming season. He missed all of last season with an injury but during his 2021 campaign 19 passes for 165 yards. He is another big Tight End standing at 6’5 250 pounds.

10. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville loses tight end Marshawn Ford who was the team’s third leading receiver last season. Senior Josh Lifson only had one catch last season for nine yards, but bring in four-star freshman Jamari Johnson who is listed at 6’5” and 280 pounds. While the Cardinals are down on this list, it is only because of inexperience and a loss of production. New coach Jeff Brohm has developed some stud tight ends in the past.

11. Akron Zips

The Zips are led by sixth-years senior TJ Banks. He appeared in 10 games hauling in 21 catches for 175 yards. The West Virgnia transfer hopes to make the most of his last season. Behind Banks is Nik Ognenovic a Kentucky transferred who appeared in one game last season.

12. Indiana State Sycamores

The list wraps up with the Sycamores who have young inexperienced group. They have a mix of tight ends that could split snaps. The veterans of the group are Junior Tyce Ferrell who caught eight passes for 53 yards and a TD and redshirt sophomore Lance Rees who appeared in nine games last season.