The 2026 college football season is fast approaching, and the tight end position features a talented group of pass catchers ready to make an impact.

The staff at A to Z Sports has been busy ranking the top players at each position, inspired by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and his positional lists. Six A to Z Sports college football analysts contributed individual top-10 rankings to create a consensus list, and the tight end group produced some genuine disagreements among the voters. The list also includes an honorable mention section for players who received at least one top-10 vote but fell short of the final consensus.

Here is a look at several standout tight ends from the consensus rankings and what to expect from each in 2026.

1. Trey’Dez Green (LSU)

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 2

LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green earned the top spot on the consensus list. His game is reminiscent of a big boundary wide receiver like Mike Evans who happens to carry the tight end label. At 6-7 and 240 pounds, Green possesses rare movement skills that allow him to move around the formation, lining up on the boundary, in the slot, or in a more traditional inline alignment where he creates massive mismatches.

That upside was easy to see a year ago despite Green playing in a poor LSU offense. With coach Lane Kiffin now calling the shots, there’s a chance Green blossoms into the star his talent level suggests. The key for 2026 will be cutting down on the concentration drops that plagued his 2025 tape.

2. Jamari Johnson (Oregon)

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 2

Many will point to Trey’Dez Green being the top tight end in the class, and it’s completely understandable. He’s a physical freak who can dominate with his size and athleticism at the catch point. Personally, Jamari Johnson is my preference. He is a well-rounded player who can attack defenses in multiple ways. Johnson thrives up the seams with his 6’5, 257-pound frame, and can box out opposing defenders with ease. Where he separates himself for me is the ability as a blocker. Johnson is a true inline player who can maul defenders. We talk a lot about mismatched players, but it’s more about being able to dominate from that inline spot that matters more.

3. Terrance Carter Jr. (Texas Tech)

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 4

Texas Tech may not end up with the quarterback they thought they would have for 2026, but they will still have the weapons they have had and went out and got. One of those is undoubtedly tight end Terrance Carter Jr., who could be a big-time TE in 2026. He finished last season with 600-plus receiving yards in his first season in the Big 12. Before that, he played at Louisiana. He had 55 catches and five touchdowns last year. I think we see a similar year from Carter, but only because of the potential QB issue. Had the Red Raiders had their original plan, it feels like Carter would be lining up to be one of the very best TEs in the sport.

4. DJ Vonnahme (Iowa)

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 5

Iowa tight end DJ Vonnahme landed at No. 4 after a breakout stretch run for a Hawkeye offense that desperately needs passing game weapons. The redshirt sophomore stands at 6-4 and 240 pounds with gifted athleticism and serious vertical juice. Iowa has done a tremendous job developing the tight end position over the years, and Vonnahme looks like the next great Hawkeye star at the position. If his late-season volume is any indication, he should fight for All-American honors in 2026. Even if he never becomes anything more than a serviceable blocker, Vonnahme has a chance to emerge as one of the premier mismatch weapons in the country.

5. Benjamin Brahmer (Penn State)

Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: 8

Penn State tight end Benjamin Brahmer, an Iowa State transfer, checked in at No. 5. The massive receiving option at 6-6 and 250 pounds is not a great inline blocker, but he wins above the rim and out-leverages defenders with strong hands and consistent production from his time with the Cyclones. Now playing in the Big Ten for coach Matt Campbell, Brahmer will be leaned on heavily by this new-look Penn State roster. His ability to win contested catches should make him a safety blanket of sorts for quarterback Rocco Becht.

6. Lawson Luckie (Georgia)

Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: 8

When it comes to Lawson Luckie of Georgia, some will see a cool name or a player who hasn’t had a ton of production in his three years of college football. My ranking of Luckie at 4 comes down to potential. I know potential is what gets coaches fired, but the flashes from Luckie have been hard to ignore. At 6-4 and 240 pounds, his route running ability and acrobatic catches mirror that of a slot receiver half his size. It’s about putting it all together with Luckie, who is just 21 years old and playing a position that takes years of nuance and detailed repetition to truly master. I could see a big year for Luckie in 2026 if he’s healthy and plays up to his measurables.

7. Brody Foley (Louisville)

Highest ranking: 6 | Lowest ranking: Unranked

Louisville tight end Brody Foley, a Tulsa transfer, earned the No. 7 spot. At 6-6 and 260 pounds, Foley brings an intriguing stylistic difference to coach Jeff Brohm’s offense, which traditionally favors great wide receivers. Foley broke out last season playing for a poor Tulsa team, and now in a strong offensive system, he should be one of the breakout stars in college football. Big hands, a strong frame, the ability to win through contact, and more vertical juice than you might anticipate all point toward a big 2026 for Foley.

8. Ethan Davis (Tennessee)

Highest ranking: 7 | Lowest ranking: Unranked

Tennessee’s Ethan Davis could find himself among the nation’s top 10 tight ends this year due to a couple of factors.  For one, there don’t seem to be as many top-tier options this year as we saw last year, which was evident with the run on them in the first few rounds of the draft in April. But Davis’ talent is undeniable, and Josh Heupel will utilize him plenty this year.  He had 62+ receiving yards in each of Tennessee’s final three SEC games (Oklahoma, Florida, Vanderbilt).  The Vols have some excellent young receivers, but don’t sleep on the 6-5, 247-pound tight end being a factor in their offense this fall.

9. Luke Reynolds (Virginia Tech)

Highest ranking: 6 | Lowest ranking: Unranked

Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds landed at No. 9. The former Penn State transfer was once considered a five-star recruit who learned behind Tyler Warren in 2024. Many expected a massive 2025, but Reynolds did not play well and was part of the struggles that plagued Penn State last season. He remains an extremely gifted player with upside to tap into. With James Franklin now coaching at Virginia Tech, Reynolds should benefit from a coach who knows his skill set well.

10. Peter Clarke (Temple)

Highest ranking: 7 | Lowest ranking: Unranked

Temple tight end Peter Clarke rounds out the top 10. It was surprising to see Temple retain Clarke this offseason, because he would have drawn significant interest in the transfer portal. At 6-6 and 260-plus pounds, Clarke is not a great athlete, but he moves well in a straight line with enough vertical ability to make plays down the field. He doubles as a high-effort blocker, giving him an all-around skill set. After serving as one of the bright spots for the Temple offense last season, Clarke could be one of the more productive pass-catching tight ends in the sport once again.

Honorable Mention

Luke Hasz (Ole Miss)

Hasz hasn’t lived up to expectations with Ole Miss so far due to injury and opportunity. He still has some receiving upside and is expected to take on a much bigger role in 2026. This feels like a nice comeback season for Hasz, potentially.

Dorian Thomas (Cal)

The former New Mexico tight end had a tremendous season in 2025, including an 11-catch performance against Michigan. Thomas is now set to showcase his talents on the P4 level. He is a smooth mover with a diverse receiving skill set.

Arlis Boardingham (Auburn)

After flashes with the Florida Gators, Boardingham missed his entire 2025 season at Bowling Green due to injury. He gets another chance with Auburn this season. There is some off-season hype growing.

Brett Norfleet (Missouri)

Norfleet has been an underrated member of the Missouri offense for multiple years now. While he is a bit lumbering as a mover, Norfleet brings a safe element as a pass catcher. He brings a very sound floor to the table.

Linkon Cure (Kansas State)

The former five-star tight end didn’t see a ton of opportunities as a freshman last season. The 6-5, 242-pound pass catcher is expected to make a substantial jump in 2026. Cure is an extremely talented player with all the upside in the world.