College Football Recruiting 2011: Power Ranking The Top 10 Tight Ends

As we finish off the 2010 high school football season, it's time to re-evaluate the talent of the 2011 recruiting class and hand out some new positional rankings. 

Based on performances throughout the summer in various camps around the country, there's been some noticeable shifts in opinion from every recruiting outlet you'll come across. 

That's the nature of the business; sports are a show me now game, and when it comes to recruiting, there's no difference. 

We'll take a look at the top prospects at every position, and keep you up to date with the biggest names to watch out for this year.

Here's the updated rankings for the top 10 tight ends of the 2011 class.

10. Brian Miller, Boston College

Commitment: Boston College

The first thing you notice about Miller is how dangerous of a downfield threat and red zone weapon he can be.

There simply aren't many prospects in the country that can provide the types of matchup issues he regularly brings to the table. Miller is very athletic and a polished route runner. He has a good pair of hands and doesn't make many mistakes. 

At 6'4" and 215 lbs, he needs to bulk up though, or his solid blocking skills won't shine through on the next level. 

9. Chris Barnett, Arkansas

Commitment: Arkasnas

Barnett is one of the top tight ends in the country and is one of the most versatile athletes in the class. He played both sides of the ball as a running back, receiver, tight end, quarterback, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker and even safety.

Of course, most of his minutes and production came as a tight end, but it speaks volumes toward his abilities as a football player that he was able to succeed in so many different roles.

As a tight end, he's the all-around package and one of the best pass-catchers in the nation.

8. A.C. Leonard, Florida

Commitment: Florida

One of the top tight ends of the 2011 class, Leonard runs very polished routes and has a great set of hands for a big man. 

He's got great athleticism and moves smoothly downfield. He also does a great job of extending his hands to catch the ball. His size makes him a constant mismatch for defenders

7. Eric MacLain, Clemson

Commitment: Clemson

McLain is a 4-star talent regardless of the label you put on him. He's Scout's No. 28 offensive tackle, but that's an outdated ranking as he's recently lost nearly 30 pounds to get himself into tight-end shape for his senior year, as well as get ready for what Clemson plans to do with him at the collegiate level.

Rivals ranks him as the No. 4 tight end in the country and that seems more like it. At 6'4" and 245 pounds, he's got a huge natural frame that is nearly ideal for the position.

He may be a little on the short side if you're talking elite tight ends, but he makes up for it with huge, tree-trunk arms, great body control and a solid set of hands.

6. Jace Amaro, Texas Tech

Commitment: Texas Tech

At 6'6" and 250 lbs, Amaro has superb size for the position and is one of the most well-rounded talents in the country. 

An excellent blocker with an ideal wingspan, he can stay in and block with the big boys or get off the line quickly, get up in the air and make a play.

If the ball's anywhere near Amaro, there's a good chance he brings it in. 

5. Jon Davis, Kentucky

Commitment: Kentucky

Davis is one of the top tight ends in the country and is one of Kentucky's only 4-star recruits.

He's more of a large bodied, physical receiver than a tight end though. At 6'3" and 230 pounds, he's less than ideal size for the tight end position and isn't a very strong blocker, but his route running and catching abilities are superb.

Davis can take the ball out of the backfield from the wingback position, return punts, spread out wide at receiver or line up at his most natural position next to the tackle.

4. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame

Commitment: Notre Dame

Koyack is one of the top tight ends from the 2011 recruiting class and the top player on Notre Dame's commitment list to this point. He's basically a wide receiver in a tight end's body.

He runs very smooth routes, has a great set of hands and presents a mismatch for practically any defender on the field. He can beat you in flats, down the middle, downfield and on the sidelines.

3. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington

Commitment: Washington

Seferian-Jenkins presents a near-ideal target to throw to at 6'7" and 245 pounds. Because of his size, strength and athleticism, he is almost always open and rarely has to beat out his defender for the ball.

His route-running is polished and he does a great job of getting off the line of scrimmage fast, generally embarrassing anyone who tries to jam him.

2. Nick O'Leary

Commitment: Uncommitted

O'Leary might be the best tight end in the 2011 class. He's a receiver and lineman mixed into one body.

He has the all-around skills to be an immediate force on the football field. O'Leary is an elite blocker, has a great set of hands, moves downfield well and runs crisp routes.

There really aren't any issues you can find with his game besides his height. Listed at a generous 6'4", O'Leary doesn't quite have the prototypical size for the position. 

1. Jay Rome

Commitment: Uncommitted

Jay Rome is the No. 1 ranked tight end recruit in the country and has been linked to over a dozen programs to date.

An extremely athletic tight end with NFL potential, Rome has all the intangibles to be very successful wherever he ends up playing.

He has tremendous blocking skills and can line up at receiver or tight end. If Rome can improve his strength, he has the potential to be one of the biggest impact freshman in the country in 2011.