Of the six tight ends that made CFN’s 2023 All-MAC teams, only one won’t return this season. However, after the top five in the 2024 MAC TE Rankings, there are a lot of unknowns. There was no contest for No. 1, but what does the rest of the list look like?
MAC 2024 TE Rankings
10) Chris Toudle and Kadinn Morris, Western Michigan Broncos
Austin Hence is gone, vacating 43 targets. Of course, some of that workload will go to Blake Bosma, who’s further down the list. But he already saw 29 looks in 2023, so there is room for one of Chris Toudle or Kadinn Morris to step up.
Toudle transferred from North Carolina State, where he began his collegiate career as a wide receiver. Across four seasons, he’s accumulated 30 receptions for 320 yards and five TDs, logging 10+ catches from 2021-2022 but none last year.
Meanwhile, Morris is entering his redshirt junior campaign with the Broncos and is obviously familiar with the offensive scheme. He has one catch to his name, but he’ll have the opportunity to beat out Toudle this offseason.
9) Gavin Harris, Central Michigan Chippewas
CMU’s leading tight end, Mitchel Collier, finished with 10 catches for 88 yards. It’s safe to say they don’t feature TEs heavily — at least not last season, as we’ve seen them do so with Joel Wilson.
Howard transfer Gavin Harris has the potential to bring the position back to prominence. As a true freshman last year, he took 10 catches for 153 yards and two scores. He’s a vertical threat from inline and is a budding athlete who will only improve with experience.
Decorion Temple and Jacob Kaminski are also on the roster and may begin the year higher on the depth chart, but I believe Harris has the skill set to win out.
8) Jacob Newell and Max Whisner, Akron Zips
Akron’s replacing most of its pass catchers from last year, creating opportunities for new players to emerge. Jacob Newell is slated to be the starter after posting 124 yards and one score on 13 catches.
The Zips also brought in redshirt sophomore Max Whisner from Missouri, who hasn’t seen the field much but has a three-star pedigree. One or both will see enough volume to warrant this spot on the 2024 MAC TE Rankings.
7) Chris Carter and Jake Appleget, Northern Illinois Huskies
Grayson Barnes is one of the top TEs in the conference, but he isn’t the only talented one on the roster. Chris Carter hauled in 12 passes for 178 yards in 2023, picking up eight first downs and scoring two TDs. At 6’7″ and 240 pounds, he’s a massive red-zone threat with the movement skills to win downfield.
MORE: Could More Teams Join UMass in the MAC?
There’s also Nebraksa transfer Jake Appleget, a former three-star recruit entering his redshirt sophomore campaign. He’ll likely see more playing time than in Lincoln, but the TE2 spot is Carter’s to lose.
6) Blake Daniels and Jere Getzinger, Eastern Michigan Eagles
Eastern Michigan’s Blake Daniels and Jere Getzinger combine to form one of the top TE duos in the MAC. Daniels (13-149-0 receiving line in 2023) can split out to the slot and work downfield, while Getzinger (17-100-1) works primarily inline and is a safety blanket underneath.
5) Tanner Koziol, Ball State Cardinals
With Kiael Kelly under center, the Cardinals lean on RPOs and quick-passing concepts to get the ball out early. That generally means a lower average depth of target and fewer overall looks for Ball State’s pass catchers.
Nevertheless, Tanner Koziol has proven to be reliable over the last two years, taking 69 catches for 668 yards and 10 TDs. He splits his time inline and in the slot, using his 6’7″ frame to bully smaller defenders over the middle.
4) Blake Bosma, Western Michigan Broncos
Hence saw more targets than Blake Bosma last season, but Bosma gained 48 more yards (317 to 269) on six fewer receptions (19 to 25). He has some wiggle to his game, picking up yards after the catch at an above-average rate. With more work in 2024, Bosma could cement his place as a top-four TE in the conference.
3) Grayson Barnes, Northern Illinois Huskies
At 6’5″ and 215 pounds, Grayson Barnes looks more like a WR than a TE, but he still lines up inline regularly. He transferred to Northern Illinois after back-to-back first-team all-conference honors at American River College.
Barnes’ 422 receiving yards in 2023 were second only on the team to star WR Trayvon Rudolph, and his five TDs were three more than any other Husky.
2) Anthony Torres, Toledo Rockets
After three years serving as a reserve option (2021-2022 with Western Michigan), Anthony Torres blew up with the Rockets last season. All he needed was 26 receptions to post 464 yards and three TDs, maximizing his 6’6″ and 250-pound frame at the catch point and with the ball in his hands.
1) Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green Falcons
The No. 1 spot in the 2024 MAC TE Ranking was a no-brainer. Here’s Harold Fannin Jr.’s 2023 résumé: first-team All-Conference, CFN third-team All-America, 44 receptions (first among TEs), 623 yards (sixth overall), and six TDs (tied second overall).
KEEP READING: 2024 MAC QB Rankings
A former safety/wide receiver recruit, Fannin possesses sure hands, can force missed tackles in the open field, and easily creates separation. With Connor Bazelak and Camden Orth returning, expect another dominant performance from Fannin in 2024.
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