Iowa Western’s Tight End Core
Jake Lemming
The Iowa Western tight end room is loaded with Division one talent. Coach Pete Brown has done an exceptional job of helping develop each player on the field. It's possible that all five of these prospects could go on to sign Division one scholarships when they leave. With that being said, here is the Iowa Western tight end core!
Matt Byrnes, 6'6, 240 High School: De La Salle, IL Eligibility: 5 For 4 Evaluation A full qualifier out of high school with incredibly soft hands and good top-end speed for a big man. Byrnes has the ability to split out in the slot and is a crisp route runner when doing so. He can stick his toe in the ground and will accelerate coming out of his cuts. He doesn't drift at the top of his route and knows where to sit in zone coverage. He does a good job exploding off the football and rolling his hips on contact. He's quick to the point of attack and will play with consistent hand placement on the breastplate. Byrnes, to me, is a no-brainer Division one talent who should see the offers come rolling in very shortly. Blake Vaughan, 6'6, 245 High School: Rockwood Summit, MO Eligibility: 4 For 3 Evaluation An intelligent route runner who shows no issues defeating rolled-up safeties in the slot. Vaughan has very long arms and a catch radius that gives defenders absolute fits. He shows no hesitation going across the middle and can make tough catches in traffic. As an inline blocker, good luck getting him off you if he latches on. Vaughan does a good of driving his knees and getting consistent movement on defenders. He's extremely physical and will play from whistle to whistle. This is a talented prospect who should generate interest very soon. Sam Ingoli, 6'5, 240 High School: Dowling Catholic, IA Eligibility: 3 For 3 Evaluation A Northern Iowa bounce-back that is a talented pass-catcher in quick game concepts. Sam instinctively gets north and south right after securing a reception. He can move too, sharply turning the corner and outrunning opposing defensive backs. Ingoli is not afraid of contact and can provide value in iso, and other run blocking schemes. He's a high effort blocker who will do whatever you ask him to. Sam has his best ball ahead of him and should develop into a really interesting tight-end prospect. Luke Waters, 6'1, 225, (FB) High School: St Albert, IA Eligibility: 3 For 3 Commitment: North Dakota State Evaluation Waters is a true I fullback at the next level and has the aggression & mindset to be extremely successful at it. He's a load to take on as a puller in counter schemes and won't stop until the defender is on his back. He's got a heavy punch on contact that gives people serious issues. As a route runner, he's physical and not afraid to use his body to create separation. On film, he's tough as they come and will do whatever it takes in the game plan to help his team move the sticks. Frank Bierman, 6'4, 235 High School: Tipton, IA Eligibility: 5 For 4 Evaluation A young prospect who will get after opposing defenders as a nasty run blocker. The sheer movement Bierman generates of the line is quite impressive. He's a solid pass catcher who's shown the ability to adjust and make tough catches on poorly thrown balls. As he continues to develop as a route runner keep an eye out for this kid. Bierman has the mindset and the blocking ability already of a very high-level tight end prospect.
Matt Byrnes, 6'6, 240 High School: De La Salle, IL Eligibility: 5 For 4 Evaluation A full qualifier out of high school with incredibly soft hands and good top-end speed for a big man. Byrnes has the ability to split out in the slot and is a crisp route runner when doing so. He can stick his toe in the ground and will accelerate coming out of his cuts. He doesn't drift at the top of his route and knows where to sit in zone coverage. He does a good job exploding off the football and rolling his hips on contact. He's quick to the point of attack and will play with consistent hand placement on the breastplate. Byrnes, to me, is a no-brainer Division one talent who should see the offers come rolling in very shortly. Blake Vaughan, 6'6, 245 High School: Rockwood Summit, MO Eligibility: 4 For 3 Evaluation An intelligent route runner who shows no issues defeating rolled-up safeties in the slot. Vaughan has very long arms and a catch radius that gives defenders absolute fits. He shows no hesitation going across the middle and can make tough catches in traffic. As an inline blocker, good luck getting him off you if he latches on. Vaughan does a good of driving his knees and getting consistent movement on defenders. He's extremely physical and will play from whistle to whistle. This is a talented prospect who should generate interest very soon. Sam Ingoli, 6'5, 240 High School: Dowling Catholic, IA Eligibility: 3 For 3 Evaluation A Northern Iowa bounce-back that is a talented pass-catcher in quick game concepts. Sam instinctively gets north and south right after securing a reception. He can move too, sharply turning the corner and outrunning opposing defensive backs. Ingoli is not afraid of contact and can provide value in iso, and other run blocking schemes. He's a high effort blocker who will do whatever you ask him to. Sam has his best ball ahead of him and should develop into a really interesting tight-end prospect. Luke Waters, 6'1, 225, (FB) High School: St Albert, IA Eligibility: 3 For 3 Commitment: North Dakota State Evaluation Waters is a true I fullback at the next level and has the aggression & mindset to be extremely successful at it. He's a load to take on as a puller in counter schemes and won't stop until the defender is on his back. He's got a heavy punch on contact that gives people serious issues. As a route runner, he's physical and not afraid to use his body to create separation. On film, he's tough as they come and will do whatever it takes in the game plan to help his team move the sticks. Frank Bierman, 6'4, 235 High School: Tipton, IA Eligibility: 5 For 4 Evaluation A young prospect who will get after opposing defenders as a nasty run blocker. The sheer movement Bierman generates of the line is quite impressive. He's a solid pass catcher who's shown the ability to adjust and make tough catches on poorly thrown balls. As he continues to develop as a route runner keep an eye out for this kid. Bierman has the mindset and the blocking ability already of a very high-level tight end prospect.
