The one position on the college football field that is often overlooked and undervalued is the tight end position. In today’s game of football built around high-powered offenses that rely on big play potential the tight ends are often looked over for running backs and wide receivers who are designed to be home run hitters for their offenses.

However, many of the tight ends on the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends January 2023 rankings are exceptional athletes with the talent to be a game changer during any game.

Two of those talented tight ends that stand out are the Utah Utes Dalton Kincaid and the Georgia Bulldogs Brock Bowers. Kincaid, who is coming off a stellar senior season for the Utes, will be one of the highest tight ends drafted during the 2023 NFL Draft.

Meanwhile Bowers is just a sophomore leaving him to return to the Bulldogs for another season while looking to lead them to a third straight National Championship game.

Other top College Football tight ends include Michael Mayer of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Sam LaPorta of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and Payne Durham of the Purdue Boilermakers. Here is a look at the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends January 2023 rankings:

Honorable Mention

Thomas Yassmin

School: Utah Utes

NFL Draft Status: Returning to Utah

Just missing the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends January 2023 rankings list is the Utah Utes tight end Thomas Yassmin.

Yassmin is one of a few great tight ends that play for the Utes including Dalton Kincaid. Despite playing behind Kincaid in the Utes offense, Yassmin still pulled in 13 catches for 301 yards to go along with six touchdown receptions.

While the catches were not there, Yassmin made up for it with his big play potential while averaging 23.2 yards per catch over the course of the season. Yassmin is expected to return for his senior season while taking over for Kinkaid. 

Jamal Turner

School: Toledo Rocket

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Unfortunately, when you play for a lesser-known football program you often don’t land the recognition or accolades as others on upper echelon College Football programs.

That is the case with Jamal Turner who should be mentioned alongside the best tight ends in College Football. The 6-foot 6-inch tight end has the size to make him a mismatch and the physical traits to help him excel at the next level.

Turner finished the 2022 NCAA Football season with 29 catches for 378 yards to go along with eight touchdown grabs.

Top 10 College Tight Ends

10. Cameron Latu

School: Alabama Crimson Tide

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

In at number 10 on the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends January 2023 rankings list is the Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Cameron Latu.

The Crimson Tide who have been long known for producing high caliber players has succeeded once again with senior tight end Cameron Latu.

Latu posted 56 catches over the last two seasons combined to go along with 787 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns. His performance on the field and his size-speed combination makes him an interesting tight end prospect for the 2023 NFL draft.

While he lacks the numbers of a few of the other tight ends on the list, Latu has all the tangibles that a great tight end requires.

9. Marshon Ford

School: Louisville Cardinals

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

The Louisville Cardinals football program is loaded with potential NFL draft prospects as the 2022 NCAA Football season ends.

While all eyes will be on Malik Cunningham at quarterback, one player who will go under the radar is Marshon Ford.

Ford who is one of the Top Tight Ends in all of College Football. Ford finished the 2022 season pulling in 33 catches for 434 yards to go along with three touchdown receptions.

While he lacks the blocking as a few of the other tight ends on the list, Ford makes up for it with his speed and great hands. 

8. Darnell Washington

School: Georgia Bulldogs

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

One of the best tight end tandems in all of College Football belongs to the Georgia Bulldogs who not only have Brock Bowers but also Darnell Washington at the position.

Washington, who is often overlooked based on the fact Bowers is on the team, has all the tangibles to be a great tight end at the next level.

The Bulldogs tight end lists at 6 foot 7 inches while also showcasing solid power and speed to make him a mismatch against NFL linebackers.

Playing along Bowers, Washington finished the season with 27 catches for 426 yards and two touchdown receptions.

7. Benjamin Yurosek

School: Stanford Cardinal

NFL Draft Status: Undecided

For the Stanford Cardinals a new head coach will be entering for the upcoming 2023 NCAA Football schedule which could alter the team’s philosophy and chemistry.

This move could also play a key role in whether Benjamin Yurosek will look to enter the 2023 NFL Draft or return for his senior season.

At this point no decision has been determined, that said the Cardinal tight end is one of the best tight ends in college football and should be one of the top tight ends drafted if he elects to enter the draft. Yurosek finished the season with 49 catches for 445 yards and one touchdown reception.

6. Brayden Willis

School: Oklahoma Sooners 

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Who knows how great of a season Brayden Willis would have had if Chip Riley stayed on as head coach and Caleb Williams was under center for him.

However, that wasn’t the case, but the Oklahoma Sooners senior tight end didn’t disappoint during the 2022 NCAA Football Schedule.

Willis finished the season pulling in 39 catches for 514 yards to go along with seven touchdown receptions. Willis finished the season with four games with at least 50 yards including his five catch 102-yard performance in the teams 52-42 win over 19th ranked Kansas Jayhawks back in October. 

5. Payne Durham

School: Purdue Boilermakers

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Rounding out the Top 5 on the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends January 2023 rankings list is the Purdue Boilermakers senior tight end Payne Durham.

Durham, like many of the other top draft picks, elected to skip his team’s Bowl matchup to prepare for the 2023 NFL draft.

The 6-foot 5-inch tight end is a mismatch at the position for linebackers while also being a proven red zone threat.

After finishing last season with 45 catches for 467 yards and six touchdowns, Durham topped that performance in 2022 finishing up with 56 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdown receptions.

4. Sam LaPorta

School: Iowa Hawkeyes

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Over the years the Iowa Hawkeyes have been known to produce big play caliber tight ends who can not only produce at the college level but at the NFL level. A group that includes George Kittle of San Francisco and possibly Sam LaPorta.

LaPorta who ranks among College Football’s best tight ends is coming his second straight season pulling in at least 53 passes while also topping the 657-yard plateau in each season.

While LaPorta did not see the end zone as much as expected, the Hawkeye’s passing game was not as high caliber as other teams.

3. Michael Mayer

School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Landing at number three on the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends January 2023 rankings list is Michael Mayer who will also be joining Dalton Kincaid in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Mayer, who announced in early December his intentions to enter the draft will rank among the best tight ends within the 2023 Draft class.

Mayer finished the season with 67 catches for 809 yards and nine touchdown receptions. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end is a terrific route runner and has the skill set to be a solid blocking tight end while also being a red zone threat.

2. Brock Bowers

School: Georgia Bulldogs

NFL Draft Status: Not eligible for 2023 NFL Draft

It is hard to look past Brock Bowers as one of the best tight ends in College Football if not the best tight end. For NFL teams however another year will have to come and go as Bowers is just a sophomore and will have to return for his junior season.

Bowers finished the 2022 NCAA Football schedule with 56 catches for 790 yards to go along with six touchdown receptions.

While his production dropped off from his freshman campaign of 882 yards and 13 touchdowns, Bowers is still a mismatch for the defense on nearly every pass play.

1. Dalton Kincaid

School: Utah Utes

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

When it comes to the number one tight end on the Top 10 College Football Tight Ends January 2023 rankings list, a battle for number one could be had by each of the top five tight ends in the group.

In the end it is hard to look past the type of season Dalton Kincaid put together for the Utah Utes leading or ranking near the top in every offensive statistic among the tight end group. Kincaid, who is expected to be a high draft pick during the 2023 NFL draft is coming off a 70 catch, 890 receiving yards and eight touchdown season.

How would you rank these College Tight Ends in the 2022-2023 BCS season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings

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