Tight ends often fly under the radar, but the best ones have transformed offenses with their unique blend of size, athleticism, and versatility. From dominant pass-catchers to elite blockers, these players not only left their mark on college football but also helped reshape the tight end position for future generations. Here’s a look at the top 10 tight ends in college football history and what made each of them truly special.
Top 10 Tight Ends in College Football History
10. Vernon Davis, Maryland
Vernon Davis was a reliable target throughout his three years at College Park. He left Maryland with 83 receptions, 1,371 yards, and nine touchdowns. His best season came as a junior when he tallied 871 receiving yards on 17.1 yards per catch, and 79.2 per game.
9. Dallas Clark, Iowa
Dallas Clark played at Iowa before it was known as an NFL tight end factory, arguably pioneering that narrative. After not seeing any action in his first year as a Hawkeye, he put up back-to-back consistent seasons.
In just 24 games, he reeled in 77 receptions for 1,251 yards, 16.2 yards per reception, and eight touchdowns, four in each season. His play in 2002 won him the Mackey Award, most outstanding tight end in the nation.
8. Kellen Winslow, Miami (FL)
After not seeing much playing time as a freshman at Miami, Kellen Winslow definitely made a name for himself in his junior and senior years. In that span, he caught 117 passes for 1,331 yards and nine touchdowns. Winslow was a reliable target if Miami needed a first down, averaging 11.5 yards per catch during his career.
7. Tony Gonzalez, Cal
Tony Gonzalez is a Cal football legend, and reasonably so. After having a fantastic sophomore season with 37 catches for 541 yards, he upped his play the following season with 44 receptions, 699 yards, and five touchdowns. He left college with 1,302 receiving yards, averaging 14.6 per catch.
6. Kyle Pitts, Florida
The former Gator was touted as one of the best tight end prospects when his college career was all said and done, and deservingly so. After coming out of the gate a bit slow in Gainesville, Pitts absolutely exploded in his junior season.
In just eight games, he tallied 43 receptions for 770 yards on 17.9 yards per catch, 96.3 per game, and scored 12 times. His play helped Florida reach the SEC Championship game in 2020.
5. Rob Gronkowski, Arizona
While Rob Gronkowski didn’t put up the craziest numbers, it was his pure dominance that got him to this spot on the list. His ability to break tackles and run over defenders started in Tucson. He only played two seasons as a Wildcat, catching 75 balls for 1,197 yards, with 16 yards per catch, and 16 touchdowns. In 2008, he led the Pac-12 in touchdowns with ten.
4. Keith Jackson, Oklahoma
Although Keith Jackson was a factor in his freshman year in 1984, he really came into his own the following three years. If you needed yards, Jackson got the ball, as he averaged 26.8 yards per catch and scored 11 touchdowns. He was so elusive with the football in his hands that the Sooners used the tight end in the rushing game as well. His outstanding play in 1985 helped Oklahoma take home a national championship.
3. Ozzie Newsome, Alabama
The former Crimson Tide tight end was the definition of an immediate impact. In his freshman year, he caught 20 passes for 18.7 yards per catch. He would only go on to improve from there. In 1977, he led the SEC with 804 receiving yards on 36 receptions and 22.3 yards a catch. Newsome left Tuscaloosa with 2,070 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.
2. Chase Coffman, Missouri
There was no such thing as a bad season for Chase Coffman at Missouri; his worst statistically was his first year, where he had 47 catches for 503 yards. The Tiger tight end only improved, finishing the following three seasons with 638, 531, and 987 receiving yards. He left Colombia with a whopping 247 catches, 2,659 yards, and 30 touchdowns.
1. Brock Bowers, Georgia
The most dominant tight end college football has ever seen. A bad season for Bowers was 56 catches and 714 yards, which was due to only playing ten games, having played 15 the previous two seasons. He was a crucial part of Georgia’s back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. On top of being a two-time national champion, he was also a two-time Mackey Award winner, the only tight end to accomplish that feat.
KEEP READING: Top 10 RBs in College Football History: Barry Sanders, Ricky Williams Run Wild
Georgia wanted to get the ball in Bowers’ hands so bad that they even involved the tight end in the rushing game, finishing his career with 19 rushing attempts. When he hung it up in Athens, he had 175 catches for 2,538 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in only three seasons.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
