It’s crowded at the top of the rankings for Georgia high school tight ends entering the 2022 season – elite talent is on display throughout the state. The Class of 2023 features more star power, while 2024 sports more depth at the position. Here are this season’s tight end rankings.
1. Landen Thomas – Colquitt County
The nation’s top tight end in the Class of 2024 recently committed to UGA. Last season, Thomas totaled more than 500 yards receiving and seven scores. Much like current Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, Thomas thrives on wheel routes and has excellent hands. The top tight end in Georgia this season might be the Bulldogs’ next major offensive mismatch.
2. Jelani Thurman – Langston Hughes
Standing at 6-foot-5, Thurman, a four-star tight end, may be the state’s best blocker. His receiving stats aren’t particularly outstanding, but he thrives as a run blocker and can use his size on the outside to make contested grabs. He is able to high-point the football unlike any other player in the state. Thurman currently fields offers from every major college football program in the nation.
3. Ethan Davis – Collins Hill
Davis was an offensive weapon for Collins Hill on its state championship run last season. The Tennessee commit racked up 755 yards and eight scores with over 12 yards per reception. Davis could be in the discussion for the most well-rounded of Georgia high school tight ends in 2022, especially with his expanded catch radius. He ranks as the sixth-best tight end in the nation entering the 2022 season.
4. Lawson Luckie – Norcross
The second Georgia commit in the top four has been very reliable for the Blue Devils. As a sophomore, he caught for 389 yards and added 350 more as a junior. While his numbers may not jump out, Luckie is a major threat on short downs and in the red zone. He also thrives as a run blocker, setting the edge on outside runs, and is willing to put his body on the line for extra yards.
5. Martavious Collins – Rome
Collins is listed as a four-star athlete on 247Sports, but he primarily plays tight end for the Wolves. He is yet to have a breakout season statistically, but flashes of brilliance are already on display. Collins amassed over 300 yards receiving as a freshman and almost achieved that total as a sophomore. He likely will end his career at Rome with over 1,500 yards, a mark not many tight ends can reach.
6. Anthony Miller Jr. – Duluth
Miller has been a bright spot in an underrated Duluth offense the past two seasons. He currently has received 19 offers, including Florida, Georgia Tech, and Minnesota. Miller had the highest yards per catch of any player on this list at 17.4 last season. His production may hold steady for his senior year with QB Lonnie Ratliff already having graduated, but his skill set will be beneficial in college.
7. Michael Smith – Calvary Day
Smith is extremely consistent on a game-by-game basis, hovering around the 70-yard mark every week last season, with nine touchdowns. He will continue to be four-star QB Jake Merklinger’s top target at Calvary Day. He’s already one of the best Georgia high school tight ends in 2022, and don’t be surprised to see him as one of the best 2024 recruits in the nation by next offseason.
8. Zeke Moore – Roswell
The Florida Atlantic commit isn’t the tallest of pass catchers, but he can exhibit serious power in blocking, flattening defenders on the outside. Moore has only one career game in which he caught for over 50 yards, but his impact on the field has opened up more avenues for Roswell’s offense to thrive the past two seasons. He still has one season left with the Hornets, and he’ll likely aim to improve his receiving stats to increase his stock.
9. Jackson Head – River Ridge
Head deserves more attention for his performances the past two seasons. Over that span, he caught for 1,352 yards and 17 TDs, posting four 100-yard receiving games last season alone. He averages almost 15 yards per reception and has been QB Carson Lathem’s favorite target by a long shot. Head should be on the radar for college coaches looking for an immediate impact.
10. Walter Matthews – Hiram
Towering at 6-foot-7, Matthews is the tallest tight end on this list of best Georgia high school tight ends in 2022. He has several Power 5 offers and has dominated at camps. However, much of that excellence has yet to translate to the field, which holds him back from a higher ranking. If he can consistently get open offensively, Matthews will quickly become one of Georgia’s best receivers.
