Texas high school football: Top 25 tight ends returning in 2024

From Tennessee-bound blue chip Jack Van Dorselaer to small-school Texas Tech commit Preztynn Harrison, here are best of the Lone Star State's best

Denton Guyer's Jackson Shockley gains ground against Prosper in a Texas high school football showdown in 2023. / Photo by Robbie Rakestraw

The 2024 Texas high school football season is fast approaching. With practices on the horizon and Week 1 less than a month out, we're taking a look at some of the top players across the state entering the 2024 season.

SBLive scoured all classifications and corners of the state and is taking a position-by-position look at the top returners, starting with quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.

SBLIVE ALL-REGION 2023 : ALL-TEXAS | NORTH | CENTRAL | SOUTH | EAST | SOUTHEAST | WEST

Now, we turn to tight ends. Here are 25 tight ends to watch entering the 2024 season:

TOP 25 TIGHT ENDS IN TEXAS ENTERING 2024

Names are listed in alphabetical order.

KIOTTI ARMSTRONG, Jasper, sr.

Measurables: 6-6, 250

The 4-star Texas A&M commit is the nation's No. 3 tight end in 2025 and is coming off of a 26-reception, 268-yard (10.3 yards per catch), nine-touchdown reception season as a junior.

HUDSON BARRON, Whitehouse, sr.

Measurables: 6-1, 215

Top pass-catcher in East Texas? Barron returns after a first team 5A District 8 tight end-worthy junior campaign, and also played as Whitehouse's H-back.

ISAIAH BUTLER-TANNER, Killeen Shoemaker, sr.

Measurables: 6-5, 245

The versatile 3-star tight end committed to Oklahoma State in June and is coming off of a first team 5A District 8-caliber junior season. Committed to Louisiana in early July.

ADAM CORTEZ, San Benito, jr.

Earned first team all-6A District 32 honors at tight end as a sophomore. Helped San Benito to a runner-up 6A District 32 finish and 6A Division I area round appearance.

Measurables: 6-5, 230

The Tennessee commit and first team 6A District 4 selection might be the state's top returning tight end. He's primarily a blocker for the dragons and added 14 catches for 301 receiving yards and five TDs as a junior.

PREZTYNN HARRISON, Mineral Wells, sr.

Measurables: 6-6, 220

The 4-star Texas Tech commit led Mineral Wells in receiving as a junior (374 yards, eight TDs) and shined at the state 7-on-7 tournament.

BROCK KUHL, Lorena, sr.

Measurables: 6-4, 220

The 3-star pass-catcher was an all-district pick after turning in 28 catches, 520 receiving yards (18.6 yards per catch), eight TDs — oh, and 38 pancake blocks.

KHRISTIAN MACKINTRUST, McKinney, sr.

Measurables: 6-3, 190

A first team 6A District 5 choice, the two-sport standout. Also a track standout — has his a sub-23-second 200-meter and a 6-foot high jump.

KEVIN MAGERA, Mesquite Horn, sr.

Measurables: 6-5, 225

On the heels of a solid junior season ( two TD receptions), Magera fielded offers from the likes of Houston, Arkansas State, and UTEP this offseason.

JAIVION MARTIN, Pflugerville, jr.

Measurables: 6-4, 250

Nicknamed "Scoop," the 3-star Rice commit was an all-5A District 11 selection as a sophomore after converting 37 catches into 557 yards and two TDs. Texas Tech is the latest to offer.

BREKEN MELTON, Randall, sr.

Measurables: 6-2, 210

A first team 4A District 3 tight end and defensive lineman, Melton, also a standout baseball player at Randall. Caught four TDs as a junior and helped Randall reach the 4A Division I area playoff round.

RYDER MIX, Frisco Lone Star, jr.

Measurables: 6-4, 225

An all-district selection as a sophomore, the 4-star committed to Oklahoma in June after receiving 20-plus offers. Averaged 15.5 yards per catch as a sophomore, turning 16 receptions into 248 yards and three TDs.

BENNY OKWURA, Katy Jordan, jr.

Measurables: 6-5, 210

After helping Houston St. Thomas reach the TAPPS Division I finals as a sophomore's now at Katy Jordan where he's excited to be featured alongside 5-star wideout Andrew Marsh.

MASON PETERSON, Dickinson, sr.

Measurables: 6-4, 215

A TCU commit and first team all-District 24 selection, Peterson committed to the Horned Frogs in March after a junior season in which he turned 25 receptions into 311 yards and five TD catches.

JP RAINIER, Tyler Legacy, sr.

Measurables: 6-2, 210

Proved himself a formidable blocker and a sure-handed pass target as Tyler Legacy finished fourth in 6A District 10. The first team all-district choice also plays basketball.

TY RUPE, Conroe Grand Oaks, sr.

Measurables: 6-7, 245

Talk about a big target. The 6-foot-7 3-star prospect chose UTSA over the likes of Colorado, Maryland, Mississippi State and Texas Tech. He missed his junior season and returns with all the gas in the tank for a true breakout senior season.

JAYDEN SHAW, North Crowley, soph.

Measurables: 6-2, 155

First team 6A District 3 choice has the opportunity to be reliable in the passing game.

ZION SHELLEY, Bowie, sr.

Measurables: 6-0, 205

The strong, bruising first team 6A District 8 turned 20 catches into 234 yards and touchdowns.

JACKSON SHOCKLEY, Denton Guyer, sr.

Denton Guyer's Jackson Shockley gains ground against Prosper in a Texas high school football showdown in 2023. / Photo by Robbie Rakestraw, SBLive

Measurables: 6-4, 220

The UTSA commit had 17.9 yards per catch (200 yards on just 11 catches) in 2023 for the 6A District 5.

JALEN THOMAS, Rowlett, sr.

Measurables: 5-10, 165

A first team 6A District 9 selection at tight end, Thomas turned 28 catches into 359 yards and six touchdowns for the Eagles, who went 3-5 in 2023.

JOSIAH THOMAS, Lake Travis, sr.

Lake Travis tight end Josiah Thomas secures a pass against Austin Westlake on Dec. 2, 2023 in the Texas state quarterfinals. / John Gutierrez / USA TODAY NETWORK

Measurables: 6-3, 205

The second team 6A District 26 choice had nine catches for 107 yards and three TDs as a junior for 6A Division I regional finalist Lake Travis. Equal parts physically imposing, sure-handed and agile, Thomas could be a devastating matchup this fall.

NICK TOWNSEND, Houston Dekaney, sr.

Measurables: 6-3, 210

Meet Housto's top tight end. In 10 games, the 4-star Texas commit caught 18 passes for 431 yards and seven TDs. He committed to the Longhorns in late June over Alabama and Texas A&M. Also a standout defensive end, Townsend had 52 solo tackles, eight sacks and three fumble recoveries as a junior.

ZACHERY TURNER, Duncanville, jr.

Measurables: 6-3, 215

The 3-star prospect had a standout sophomore year for the two-time defending 6A Division I state champions. He appeared in 13 games and logged 30 catches for 625 receiving yards and 10 TDs.

-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveTX