College Fantasy Football: The recruitment of the top five TEs
There is a variety of names leading in fantasy points for tight ends and it’s definitely not the highest-rated prospects over the last few years. Here is a look at their recruitment and how the top-five are playing so far this season:
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RELATED: The recruitment of the top five QBs | RBs | WRs
1. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
In the summer before his senior season at the tail end of an unofficial visit, Kolar committed to Iowa State over offers from Air Force, Army and Stephen F. Austin. Interest was coming in from Cal, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and others. The former low three-star prospect is on of the top targets in Iowa State’s offense with 34 catches for 486 yards and a team-high five receiving TDs.
2. Jacob Breeland, Oregon
Breeland was a virtual unknown in recruiting circles until he visited Oregon, landed an offer and committed quickly to the Ducks. He had no other offers and was only receiving interest from Duke, Colorado, San Jose State and some Ivy League programs. After his pledge, USC and Washington reached out but Breeland wasn’t interested. He was so dominant in six games that he’s still second in fantasy points among all tight ends with 26 catches for 405 yards and six TDs although Breeland is done for the year with injury.
3. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
The four-star was ranked as the sixth-best tight end in the class, and not even the top player at his position to sign with Penn State, as that went to Zack Kuntz, although Frierermuth has had a much better career. He committed to the Nittany Lions shortly after getting an offer at summer camp before his junior season and then taking another unofficial visit where he made the pledge.
Freiermuth has been a huge target in Penn State’s offense where he has 25 catches for 291 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season.
4. Kyle Pitts, Florida
In the summer before his senior season, Pitts narrowed his favorites down to Florida, Georgia and Virginia Tech but after the Bulldogs landed John FitzPatrick it looked like they were out of it in Pitts’ recruitment. A few days later, he committed to the Gators.
And Pitts, who was ranked as the No. 12 tight end in the 2018 class, has been a major target in Florida’s attack leading the team with 35 catches for 391 yards and four touchdowns.
5. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Hopkins only played two years of high school football, had an offer from Purdue, and was receiving interest from Vanderbilt, Georgia, Auburn and others. He was rated as a two-star prospect but has massively outplayed that ranking.
Hopkins has 34 catches for 441 yards and three touchdowns as he’s been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dreary season for the Boilermakers.