Tag: Four-Star Tight End

Texas offers 2024 tight end Michael Smith out of Georgia

Texas offers on of the nation’s best tight end prospects in the 2024 class.

Steve Sarkisian and his Texas staff are killing it on the recruiting trail for the 2023 cycle. The Longhorns sit inside the top five in the team recruiting ranks, but the Horns are already getting a jump start on the class of 2024.

Texas has sent out an offer to four-star tight end Michael Smith out of Savannah, Georgia.

247Sports composite list Smith as the No. 6 tight end in the nation and the No. 133 overall prospect in his class.

Smith took home first team all-district while hauling in 42 passes for 684 yards and nine scores. He is a two-sport athlete who excels on the basketball court during the offseason.

The junior has picked up nearly 20 offers and is catching the attention of some of the premier programs across the country.

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Michael Smith’s Recruiting Profile

Oklahoma Sooners receive predictions for Clemson de-commit, 2023 tight end Reid Mikeska

The Oklahoma Sooners received several predictions on Thursday for four-star tight end Reid Mikeska who recently de-comitted from Clemson.

The Oklahoma Sooners are currently without a tight end commit in their 2023 recruiting class. That could be changing as the Sooners received several predictions in favor of landing 2023 tight end Reid Mikeska out of Cypress, Texas.

The Sooners lost Luke Hasz to Arkansas in the wake of the coaching change last winter, but it seems like they found the guy to fill the void in Mikeska.

Mikeska, a four-star according to Rivals, recently de-committed from the Clemson Tigers after receiving an Oklahoma offer from tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley on May 5.

According to Anna Hickey, who covers Clemson recruiting for 247Sports, Mikeska is expected to take a trip to Norman this weekend to visit with the Oklahoma Sooners. In the wake of this new information, SoonerScoop.com‘s Josh McCuistion and OUInsider’s Parker Thune each submitted predictions in favor of the Oklahoma Sooners. Rivals National Recruiting Analyst Nick Harris also flipped Mikeska from Clemson to OU.

It’s an interesting turn of events for a player that looked to be heading to the Tigers a day ago and now seems to be pivoting to Oklahoma. If the trend continues and Mikeska ends up a Sooner, it will be the second former Clemson commit that has landed with the Sooners since January.

Jaran Kanak, who was committed to Clemson prior to Oklahoma’s hiring of Brent Venables de-committed and signed to play with the Sooners.

Reid Mikeska’s Recruiting Profile

Crystal Ball

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Hudl

Texas offers 2023 four-star TE Jackson Bowers

Texas is looking out west for a tight end in the class of 2023. 

Texas is looking out west for a tight end in the class of 2023.

Four-star tight end Jackson Bowers out of Arizona announced he received a Texas offer on Tuesday afternoon. Texas star running back Bijan Robinson is an Arizona native as well.

Bowers has already released a list of his top seven schools including Alabama, Arizona, Auburn, BYU, Oregon and Washington. He has one crystal ball prediction entered in favor of BYU. Texas hopes to get into the mix with his top schools.

His 6-foot-5 frame and exceptional athleticism project Bowers as a red-zone threat at the next level.

Texas’ tight end room is in really good shape with a talented young core of Ja’Tavion Sanders, Gunnar Helm and Juan Davis led by Alabama transfer Jahleel Billingsley.

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Jackson Bowers’ Recruiting Profile

Texas lands Alabama TE transfer Jahleel Billingsley

Talented Alabama transfer Jahleel Billingsley will reunite with Steve Sarkisian at Texas.

Steve Sarkisian has landed another Alabama transfer in tight end Jahleel Billingsley. The talented transfer joins former Alabama players Keilan Robinson and Ben Davis to make the move from Tuscaloosa to Austin.

Billingsley will fill a huge role for Texas next season.

Tight end became a major position of need for Texas after losing Cade Brewer to graduation and Jared Wiley to the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-4 athletic tight end tallied 37 receptions for 559 yards and six touchdowns in his three years at Alabama.

Billingsley will fit in well in Texas’ tight end room that is very young and unproven. He will instantly add talent and experience to Steve Sarkisian’s offense while also taking some pressure off Gunnar Helm and Ja’Tavion Sanders.

Texas has hit a home run in the transfer portal this offseason. Quinn Ewers, Ryan Watts and Billingsley will be important pieces to a bounce-back 2022 season.

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Texas loses out on four-star tight end Jaleel Skinner to Alabama

Texas loses out on their only tight end prospect in the 2022 class.

Tight end was not seen as a position of need for Texas in the 2022 class. Jeff Banks was focusing most of recruiting power on some of the biggest named prospects in the country. Four-star Jaleel Skinner was the exception.

When the No. 1 tight end in the country shows interest, you pursue him. Especially at 6-5, 210 pounds with elite ball skills as a receiver. Figure out the depth chart later, just get him on campus.

Unfortunately, Texas lost out on Skinner to Alabama on Friday afternoon. Clemson, Florida, Florida State, and Miami were considered the other contenders. The rich continue to get richer in Tuscaloosa.

A couple of days after Texas moved up to the No. 2 class in the country, they have been bumped down one spot. Surprise, surprise, Alabama now holds the top class for the 2022 cycle. With only 16 commits, Nick Saban could be brewing another historic class.

Having Skinner would have been a huge plus for Texas, but now, the tight end position seems to be closed shop. Banks is not going to pursue any other prospects. Developing former five-star Ja’Tavion Sanders will become the top priority in Austin.

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Four-star TE Jaleel Skinner commits to Alabama over Florida, Texas

Alabama is back to the No. 1 class in the country!

Four-star Jaleel Skinner provided himself with a nice birthday present. After originally wanting to reveal his school of choice on Saturday, the tight end moved it up by one day for the ultimate gift.

Skinner announced his commitment to Alabama on Friday afternoon. Texas and Florida were seen as the biggest competitors, with Clemson, Florida State, and Miami lurking in the background. A big win for the Crimson Tide class.

Jahleel Billingsly is a good comparison, being more of a receiving tight end than an all-around guy. Skinner currently plays wide receiver at IMG Academy but thanks to his 6-5, 210-pound frame, he’ll have to move inside.

With the commitment, Alabama has moved up to the No. 1 class, jumping ahead of Texas and Penn State. With only having 16 commitments, another historic cycle is Tuscaloosa bound.

Skinner is the second tight end in Alabama’s class after four-star Elijah Brown committed near Valentine’s Day. It will be the first time since the 2017 class Nick Saban has taken two at the position in the same cycle.

On the 247Sports composite, Skinner is the No. 1 tight end in the country and the No. 74 overall player. Attending IMG Academy, he ranks as the No. 10 player from the state of Florida.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Griffin McVeigh on Twitter @Griffin_McVeigh.

Four-star tight end, Alabama target Jaleel Skinner announces commitment date

A birthday commitment is in store for Jaleel Skinner!

Four-star Jaleel Skinner has provided one of the more interesting recruitments in the 2022 class. The No. 1 tight end in the country has shown interest in multiple schools over the past few months, especially in the state of Florida.

Now, he is ready to give himself a birthday present and close down his recruitment.

Skinner announced he would be making his commitment on Friday at 2:30 p.m. CDT on CBS Sports HQ. Alabama is one of the finalists, alongside Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, and Texas.

If he ends up committing to the good guys, he would be the Crimson Tide’s second-highest ever rated tight end commitment (OJ Howard).

 

The Crimson Tide has been surging on the 247Sports crystal ball, receiving predictions in the past couple of days. Usually, a good sign for which way the recruitment is flowing.

Looking for a comparison on the current roster from a football perspective, Jahleel Billingsley could be the right one. When thinking about No. 19, blocking is never the first thing in your head. Being a reliable downfield threat is more of his game and getting yards after the catch,

Skinner fits the same mold. He plays more of wide receiver right now but his 6-5, 210-pound frame is going to move him to the inside. Especially with how much speed Alabama’s offense love on the outside.

Originally from South Carolina, Clemson was thought to be the early favorite. Then Skinner made official visits to Florida, Florida State, and Miami alongside Alabama.

Check out photos from Skinner’s official visit in June here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQZCNWkH8pn/

Alabama already has a tight end in the 2022 class in four-star Elijah Brown, committing back in February. If Skinner commits and both players stick, it will be the first time since the 2017 class Nick Saban has taken two tight ends in the same cycle.

On the 247Sports composite, Skinner is the No. 1 tight end in the country and the No. 74 overall player. Attending IMG Academy, he ranks as the No. 10 player from the state of Florida.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Griffin McVeigh on Twitter @Griffin_McVeigh.

Texas target, four-star tight end Jaleel Skinner changes commitment date

Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, and Texas are seen as the finalists for Skinner.

Jeff Banks may have the best reputation as a recruiter on Texas’ staff. Steve Sarkisian has put him on some of the most high-profile prospects, ones who would fall under the “must get” category.

Even so, the Longhorns have strayed away from chasing tight ends during the 2022 cycle. Banks’ position group is in a solid spot on the depth chart with Cade Brewer, Jared Wiley, and three promising true freshmen.

Jaleel Skinner has been the exception so far. The four-star tight end has caught the eye of Banks, making him the only true target on the board. An official visit on June 24 helped make the interest mutual as well.

Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, and Texas are seen as the finalists for Skinner. He originally planned on announcing his school of choice on Oct. 9 but the tight end has moved his commitment date up by one day.

CBS Sports HQ will be how you can watch, live at 2:30 CDT.

Three days out, Alabama seems to be the leader. Multiple 247Sports crystal balls predictions have been inserted in favor of the Crimson Tide over the past couple of days. Florida State was seen as the leader over the summer but a 1-4 start has hurt Mike Norvell’s recruiting.

Even if Alabama ends up being the pick, Texas will still fight to get Skinner back on campus for a visit. Nothing is ever official in recruiting until the fax is sent on national signing day. Especially with a Red River Shootout performance pending the next day.

Skinner is seen as a wide receiver more than anything, however, his 6-5, 210-pound frame will force him to move to tight end. Sarkisian’s use of 12 personnel could be a selling point as Skinner is able to use his pass-catching skills while developing as a blocker.

On the 247Sports composite, Skinner is the No. 1 tight end in the country and the No. 74 overall player. Attending IMG Academy, he ranks as the No. 10 player from the state of Florida.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes, and opinions.

LSU among top eight for No. 1 Oklahoma player in 2023 class

The No. 1 player in Oklahoma lists LSU among his top eight schools.

On Sunday the top tight end in the 2023 class, Luke Hasz has released his top eight schools on social media. Continue reading “LSU among top eight for No. 1 Oklahoma player in 2023 class”