Top Returning Tight Ends in College Football for 2025
As the 2024 college football season wraps up, discussions about the upcoming 2025 season are heating up. One area capturing attention is the tight end position, especially with the transfer portal shaking things up. Four out of the top ten tight ends on this list have switched schools this offseason, highlighting a dynamic shift in talent across the league. 🎉
Let’s dive into the rankings of the top returning tight ends in college football, accompanied by a special mention at the end.
1. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt 🌟
Eli Stowers has emerged from his roots as a four-star quarterback recruit to shine as Vanderbilt’s star tight end. His adaptability has made him a standout player in college football. Over the last two seasons, no tight end has contributed more value, reflected in PFF’s Wins Above Average metric.
Stowers made a name for himself with explosive athleticism, earning a spot in the 99th percentile of PFF's Game Athleticism Score. This criterion propelled him to the forefront of tight ends, as he recorded 13 forced missed tackles and racked up a staggering 373 yards after contact last year. Forming a powerful duo with quarterback Diego Pavia, they’re set to dominate this coming season!
"VANDY'S ELI STOWERS WITH AN UNREAL CATCH TO SET UP ANOTHER PAVIA TOUCHDOWN 🔥"
— SEC Network
2. Jack Endries, California 🏈
Beginning his career as a walk-on at Cal, Jack Endries has transformed into one of the nation’s premier tight ends as he prepares for his redshirt junior season.
With 1,030 receiving yards since 2023, he stands as a significant figure at the position, particularly among returning tight ends from Power Four schools. Endries is known for his strong hands, having dropped just one pass in 2024, while showcasing remarkable talent by catching nine of his twelve contested targets.
3. Max Klare, Ohio State 🎓
Max Klare, now back in Ohio after a fruitful stint at Purdue, joins the ranks of the best tight ends in the nation following a season where he accrued 684 receiving yards. Among Power Four tight ends, Klare ranks fourth in overall yardage and shares the highest total of 34 combined receiving first downs and touchdowns with Stowers.
His transition into the Buckeyes’ offense presents him with new opportunities to shine, especially with defenses focusing on other talented players, including standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
“Thought you’d enjoy some highlights from the No. 1 TE in the portal 😏”
— Ohio State on BTN
4. Justin Joly, NC State 🌪️
After making the jump from UConn to NC State, Justin Joly quickly established himself as one of the top receiving threats at tight end. His impressive 661 receiving yards in 2024 ranked fifth among Power Four tight ends, underscoring his ability to compete against increased talent levels.
Joly is also noteworthy for his athleticism, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 235 pounds. His physicality allows him to create separation on the field, evidenced by his ability to force missed tackles and draw attention from defenders.
“Justin Joly is sliding into my top 100 prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft after this week.” — NFL Draft Files
5. Tanner Koziol, Wisconsin 🧀
Following a stellar junior year at Ball State, Tanner Koziol made a strategic move to Wisconsin for his senior season. His achievements in 2024 were remarkable as he recorded 94 catches—second only to two top-100 prospects. Koziol's remarkable 840 receiving yards secured him the fifth position among returning tight ends.
Standing at 6-foot-7, Koziol is a key player in 50-50 situations, evidenced by his 26 contested catches last season—outpacing every other tight end in college football.
“Keep hearing Wisconsin fans rave about tight end Tanner Koziol picked up in the portal.” — Clint Brewster
6. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon 🦆
Kenyon Sadiq played a vital supporting role as the Ducks’ second tight end behind Terrance Ferguson but demonstrated enough skill to merit a spot on this list. With an 80.9 PFF overall grade, Sadiq found himself among the top ten tight ends and proved to be effective as both a receiver and run blocker—a rare dual threat.
Despite only needing 350 snaps, his impact on the field made him one of the most valuable tight ends in the nation, setting high expectations for the upcoming season.
7. Miles Kitselman, Tennessee 🍊
Kitselman’s journey, which included a JUCO year and two backup seasons at Alabama, transformed into a breakout performance during his senior year at Tennessee. He finished 2024 ranked as the seventh-most valuable tight end according to PFF’s metrics.
Notably, he was one of only four tight ends to achieve top-25 grades as both a receiver and run blocker throughout the season. His consistency shone through, as he didn’t drop a single pass in his college career.
“Nico Iamaleava ➡️ Miles Kitselman”
— Rocky Top Now
8. Jack Velling, Michigan State 🏫
Retaining his spot from the previous year, Jack Velling remains a top-10 tight end following his continuing success. While 2024 presented some challenges, his overall contributions over the last two seasons earn him respect and recognition.
With nine touchdowns since 2023, tying him for fifth place among Power Four tight ends, and 849 receiving yards, Velling’s abilities as a valuable offensive asset cannot be overlooked.
“A TD for Jack Velling!”
— FOX College Football
9. Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech 🔴
Carter has become a pivotal element of Texas Tech’s transfer portal success stories. With an impressive 86.4 PFF overall grade over two seasons, he ranks among the top tight ends at the FBS level, underscoring his ability to thrive after the catch.
Ranking high in forced missed tackles and yards after contact, he remains a significant offensive threat although he still needs to develop further as a run blocker.
“Terrance Carter 59-yard TD! Mossed a Coastal Carolina DB!”
— @fsh733
10. Luke Hasz, Ole Miss 🐾
Completing the list is Luke Hasz, a recent transfer from Arkansas to Ole Miss. His solid 82.3 PFF receiving grade across his early college years ranks him among the top tight ends in the nation.
A promising athlete at 241 pounds, Hasz has yet to face a dropped pass throughout his career. His production when targeted highlights his efficiency and capability as a reliable receiving option.
Honorable Mention: RJ Maryland, SMU 💫
Although a torn ACL cut RJ Maryland’s 2024 season short, he was shining as one of the best tight ends in college football prior to his injury. His receiving stats illustrate his talent, with an impressive average of 2.7 yards per route run.
Even with seven games under his belt, Maryland accumulated 877 receiving yards since 2023. Continued development in his blocking will be essential as he regains full strength—likely returning to form as a top target for quarterback Kevin Jennings.
“Just a casual one-handed grab from SMU’s RJ Maryland. One of the best tight ends in the country.”
— Bobby Football
With these talented athletes returning, college football fans are in for an exciting year ahead! 🍂🏆