TE Caden Piening Names Florida Among Top 10 Schools
Photo: Florida Gators tight end coach Russ Callaway; Credit: Zach Goodall
Florida Gators assistant coach Russ Callaway cast a wide net for tight end talent to join his position group in the 2025 class.
Offering 20 true tight ends, and several players under the athlete designation per 247 Sports expected to command the spot at the collegiate level if they were to choose UF, the desire to acquire multiple prospects to replenish talent and depth in the role is evident.
On Monday, Florida moved forward in the recruitment of Cincinnati (Ohio) Anderson product Caden Piening, as he included the Gators among his top 10 schools.
Arkansas, Illinois, Lousiville, Michigan State, Pitt, Stanford, UCF, Virginia and Virginia Tech round out his narrowed list of options.
Piening, who operates at both tight end and defensive end at the prep level for Anderson High School, is considered the nation's No. 54 athlete and No. 603 overall player, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
If he were to choose Gainesville as his collegiate destination, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Piening would command an H tight-end role under Callaway, where he's notably showcased promising athleticism, sure hands and the ability to win in jump ball situations, attributes drawn from his basketball background.
Additionally, he's flashed polish working in space on tape, consistently finding and sitting in soft spots in opposing defense's zones to serve as a safety blanket for the Raptors' passing game.
As a junior, he accounted for 35 receptions, 652 yards, and seven touchdowns.
Florida accordingly joined the fold for the high-upside pass-catching tight end in January, aiming to add him to the 2025 class when it comes time for him to announce his pledge.
His timeline for a commitment is unclear at this stage, though.
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