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ESPN ranks Iowa #2 Tight End U and #3 Kicker U

ichawk24

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Nov 21, 2005
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ESPN ranks the top talent producing schools by position. Iowa is #2 at TE, and #3 at Kicker.


TEU is Miami​

Sure, other schools have made a recent run at this honor -- from Iowa to Stanford to UCLA. But even if Miami hasn't produced anyone of the caliber of George Kittle in recent years, the run of talent at this position remains impressive. The Canes have had 13 tight ends drafted since 2000, including first-rounders Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow, Greg Olsen and David Njoku. Will Mallory could be the next breakout star this season, or perhaps blue-chip 2022 signee Jaleel Skinner bursts onto the scene. Regardless, Miami's position as Tight End U isn't in doubt for the foreseeable future.

The top 5

1. Miami
2. Iowa
3. Stanford
4. Florida
5. Missouri

Best by conference

ACC:
Miami
Big 12: Oklahoma (No. 8)
Big Ten: Iowa
Pac-12: Stanford
SEC: Florida
Non-Power 5: BYU (No. 14)

Biggest mover: Colorado State

What a difference a second-round draft pick can make. Trey McBride went No. 55 overall to the Arizona Cardinals after a stellar 2021 campaign for the Rams (90 catches, 1,121 yards receiving) and became the third Colorado State tight end drafted since 2005. That might not sound like much, but it was enough to push the Rams up 26 spots in our rankings, from No. 43 up to No. 17.

Who's missing: Alabama

Considering the Crimson Tide are among the leaders in nearly every other position group, tight end -- where they rank just 38th -- stands out. The Tide have had a few breakout stars, like O.J. Howard, but tight end hasn't typically been a critical piece to their offensive puzzle. Last year, most observers thought Jahleel Billingsley would be the next elite tight end at Alabama, but he got in Nick Saban's doghouse early and ultimately transferred to Texas.


On the recruiting trail: Want more proof that Miami is Tight End U? Since 2006, ESPN has given just 70 tight ends a recruiting grade of 80 or better. Eight have signed with Miami -- three more than any other school. Sure, not all of them panned out, but it's a reminder that a school's traditions make a real difference on the recruiting trail.

Kicker U is Florida State​

The Seminoles retain the top spot for good reason, given their long history of great kickers. The problem, however, is it has been a while since FSU had a good one. They're just 32-of-51 (63%) on field goals in the past four seasons.


The top 5

1. Florida State
2. UCLA
3. Iowa
4. Utah
5. Ohio State
 
Here's how it works:

We're counting players since 1998 only. Why 1998? It seemed a good breaking point, as it was the start of the BCS era that best represents modern college football. We know Notre Dame would love to claim Paul Hornung in the race for, um, Halfback U, but we're trying to keep it to the era of players today's recruits might be most familiar with.

What counts as success? We narrowed it down to a few key categories. Schools got points for all-conference and All-America selections, along with points for being drafted (weighted by round) and for success at the next level. For that last category, we looked at only the first four years of a player's career (beyond that, the NFL should get credit for development) using Pro Football Reference's weighted career value.

Dealing with transfers is tricky, too. When Jordan Addison gets drafted next year, will he count for Pitt or USC? Sorry to add some more salt to the wounds for Panthers fans, but we've made the call that NFL data counts only toward the school a player last suited up for.
 
ESPN ranks the top talent producing schools by position. Iowa is #2 at TE, and #3 at Kicker.


TEU is Miami​

Sure, other schools have made a recent run at this honor -- from Iowa to Stanford to UCLA. But even if Miami hasn't produced anyone of the caliber of George Kittle in recent years, the run of talent at this position remains impressive. The Canes have had 13 tight ends drafted since 2000, including first-rounders Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow, Greg Olsen and David Njoku. Will Mallory could be the next breakout star this season, or perhaps blue-chip 2022 signee Jaleel Skinner bursts onto the scene. Regardless, Miami's position as Tight End U isn't in doubt for the foreseeable future.

The top 5

1. Miami
2. Iowa
3. Stanford
4. Florida
5. Missouri

Best by conference

ACC:
Miami
Big 12: Oklahoma (No. 8)
Big Ten: Iowa
Pac-12: Stanford
SEC: Florida
Non-Power 5: BYU (No. 14)

Biggest mover: Colorado State

What a difference a second-round draft pick can make. Trey McBride went No. 55 overall to the Arizona Cardinals after a stellar 2021 campaign for the Rams (90 catches, 1,121 yards receiving) and became the third Colorado State tight end drafted since 2005. That might not sound like much, but it was enough to push the Rams up 26 spots in our rankings, from No. 43 up to No. 17.

Who's missing: Alabama

Considering the Crimson Tide are among the leaders in nearly every other position group, tight end -- where they rank just 38th -- stands out. The Tide have had a few breakout stars, like O.J. Howard, but tight end hasn't typically been a critical piece to their offensive puzzle. Last year, most observers thought Jahleel Billingsley would be the next elite tight end at Alabama, but he got in Nick Saban's doghouse early and ultimately transferred to Texas.


On the recruiting trail: Want more proof that Miami is Tight End U? Since 2006, ESPN has given just 70 tight ends a recruiting grade of 80 or better. Eight have signed with Miami -- three more than any other school. Sure, not all of them panned out, but it's a reminder that a school's traditions make a real difference on the recruiting trail.

Kicker U is Florida State​

The Seminoles retain the top spot for good reason, given their long history of great kickers. The problem, however, is it has been a while since FSU had a good one. They're just 32-of-51 (63%) on field goals in the past four seasons.


The top 5

1. Florida State
2. UCLA
3. Iowa
4. Utah
5. Ohio State
I seem to remember some potential game-winning FGs missing the uprights during the Bowden years.
 
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