CFB Recruiting 200: Top 7 Tight Ends in Class of 2016

After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles, Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports composite rankings and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the class of 2016. Here we present the Top Tight Ends.

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The role of tight ends in today's game has expanded because of the versatility athletes at the spot bring to the table.

College coaches covet athletes at that position who can pose a mismatch against linebackers or defensive backs in the middle of the field or flexed out wide, but who are also strong enough to lend their services as blockers in the run game.

Finding players who can do both at a high level is rare, but there are a few intriguing candidates who seem to fit the bill in the 2016 class—highlighted by 5-star prospect Isaac Nauta and 4-star Stanford pledge Kaden Smith.

The latest installment of Bleacher Report's CFB Recruiting 200 series delves into tight ends, grading them on key traits such as hands, route running, blocking, release, speed and agility.

How do the jumbo pass-catchers in the 2016 cycle stack up to one another?

All analysis provided by B/R National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani.

7. 4-Star Octavious Cooley

Height/Weight: 6'3", 220 pounds

High School: Laurel High School, Laurel, Mississippi

247Sports Ranking: No. 7 tight end; No. 199 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 86/100

Committed to Ole Miss on Dec. 31, 2014

While most Ole Miss fans would like to forget the drubbing they took at the hands of TCU in last year's Peach Bowl, not all of the Rebels news was bad on New Year's Eve.

Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff were able to land a verbal pledge from in-state 4-star tight end Octavious Cooley, as noted by David Johnson of 247Sports.

Cooley chose Ole Miss over offers from Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State and Tennessee, among others.

Bleacher Report Analysis 

On the prep level, Cooley operates more as a jumbo receiver on the outside as opposed to being an in-line tight end. He showcases great body control and the ability to high-point the football in one-on-one situations on deep routes. He also moves well in the open field for a guy his size.

It will be important for him to make the adjustment to handling the blocking element of playing tight end and adding mass to his frame to help deal with the physicality he will encounter playing in the SEC.

6. 4-Star Jamal Pettigrew

Height/Weight: 6'6", 229 pounds

High School: St. Augustine High School, New Orleans

247Sports Ranking: No. 6 tight end; No. 196 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 84/100

Committed to LSU on Jan. 11, 2015

One of the earliest pledges in LSU's top-rated recruiting class was from in-state 4-star tight end Jamal Pettigrew.

He hails from the same high school that produced current LSU star running back Leonard Fournette and former All-American defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.

Pettigrew—who hauled in 17 passes for 345 yards and three touchdowns last season—is a solid Tigers commit.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Pettigrew is a raw talent with the frame of a small forward in basketball. He's not the most advanced route-runner at this stage. However, he is a versatile prospect with a solid frame, good hands and tremendous upside in the future.

He could potentially play in a traditional tight end role because of his effectiveness as a blocker, or he could play in an H-back role. If he can develop as a pass-catcher, he has the size and athleticism to be very effective at the next level.

5. 4-Star Naseir Upshur

Height/Weight: 6'2", 233 pounds

High School: Imhotep Institute, Philadelphia

247Sports Ranking: No. 5 tight end; No. 152 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 87/100

Uncommitted: Considering Alabama, Arizona State, Florida State, Maryland and Michigan

One of the top remaining uncommitted tight end prospects is 4-star Philadelphia standout Naseir Upshur.

The No. 3 prospect in the Keystone State recently narrowed his list to eight schools—Alabama, Arizona State, Florida State, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, Temple and USC.

The Seminoles, who recently lost the pledge of Nauta, appear to be making a strong push to land Upshur, as noted by Chris Nee of Noles247.

Bleacher Report Analysis 

At this stage, Upshur is more polished as a blocker than a receiver. He needs to work on attacking the ball instead of waiting for it to come to him. However, he is athletic enough to develop his skills as a receiver. He has good speed and agility in the open field. His ability to be a physical in-line blocker or a lead as an H-back could help him see the field early in his career.

4. 4-Star Luke Farrell

Height/Weight: 6'6", 240 pounds 

High School: Perry High School, Perry, Ohio 

247Sports Ranking: No. 4 tight end; No. 147 overall 

Bleacher Report Score: 88/100

Committed to Ohio State on July 24, 2015

Ohio State surged to the top of the recruiting rankings with three commitments in the month of July, the last of which came from in-state 4-star tight end Luke Farrell.

Farrell joins fellow 4-star tight end Jake Hausmann in the Buckeyes class. Between that duo, Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer will have plenty of flexibility at that position in the future.

As a junior, Farrell caught 43 passes for 730 yards and six touchdowns.

Bleacher Report Analysis

There is a lot to like about Farrell's game. He's not elite at any one particular thing, but he appears to be a well-rounded tight end who can thrive as a pass-catcher and excel as a blocker. He's got a college-ready frame, but he can improve on using his body as a shield in situations where he's trying to get position or fight for the ball when it is in the air.

Overall, Farrell is a solid prospect with a chance to contribute early in his college career.

3. 4-Star Jake Hausmann

Height/Weight: 6'5", 235 pounds

High School: Archbishop Moeller High School, Cincinnati

247Sports Ranking: No. 3 tight end; No. 96 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 89/100

Committed to Ohio State on Jan. 25, 2015

In-state 4-star tight end Jake Hausmann was one of two prospects to commit to Ohio State in January in the aftermath of the Buckeyes winning the national championship.

Hausmann, the No. 5 prospect in the state of Ohio for the 2016 cycle, selected Ohio State over offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame and Penn State, among others.

The 6'5", 235-pounder appears to be a solid Buckeyes commit at this time.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Hausmann is another prospect who has the size and athleticism to contribute early in his college career. His route running is above-average, and he does a great job in releasing off the line of scrimmage. He's sound as a blocker as well, but he's guilty at times of letting the ball come to him instead of attacking it in the air. If he can improve details such as those, Hausmann has a tremendous amount of potential at the next level.

2. 4-Star Kaden Smith

Height/Weight: 6'5 ½", 235 pounds

High School: Marcus High School, Flower Mound, Texas

247Sports Ranking: No. 2 tight end; No. 30 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 91/100

Committed to Stanford on April 11, 2015

Stanford's 2016 class started off slowly as the Cardinal only had two commitments heading into April.

However, landing a pledge from 5-star tight end Kaden Smith in early April was the first of four pledges from touted prospects who have fueled Stanford to a top-20 class.

Smith selected Stanford over offers from Alabama, Baylor, Clemson, Texas and Texas A&M, among others.

Bleacher Report Analysis

I love the fit Smith brings to the Stanford offense. He's a productive pass-catcher who poses a nightmare for defenders. He does a great job of using his hands to snatch the ball and shielding defenders with his frame. He can play H-back or flex out as a receiver, and he's solid as a blocker. He has the tools necessary to be a standout tight end early in his college career.

1. 5-Star Isaac Nauta

Height/Weight: 6'4", 237 pounds

High School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida

247Sports Ranking: No. 1 tight end; No. 14 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 93/100 

Uncommitted: Considering Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, TCU and USC

Nauta's recent decommitment from Florida State was one of the biggest stories of the summer.

As noted by Josh Newberg of Noles247, the in-state Georgia Bulldogs are one of the schools who appear to be trending with the nation's top tight end. 

Nauta, who is scheduled to be an early enrollee, will announce his final decision on Jan. 9 at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Bleacher Report Analysis

I saw Nauta at the Nike Opening Regional Camp in Orlando, Florida, and was blown away at his skill set. He was simply a man among boys despite a heavy downpour that affected the field conditions. He's got excellent hands and runs precise routes. In fact, I thought he was the best route-runner at The Opening, which included a loaded receiver group.

What separates him as an elite prospect is his competitiveness and his aggressive mentality. His junior tight end film is among the best I've ever scouted at the position, and I'm convinced he could also be a top defensive end if he wanted to.

Overall, Nauta is a prospect with a high ceiling at the next level, and he should be a player who has a chance to contribute early in his career.