As we hit the preview portion of the 2024 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of what players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning tight ends in 2024.
These rankings are formed by a combination of on-field production, postseason accolades, PFF grades, pro potential, and the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching games, knowing what system players are in, strength of opponents, etc.).
Best Returning FCS Tight Ends
25. Ivan Drobocky, Southeastern Louisiana University
24. Sean McElwain, William & Mary
23. Aidan Quinn, Southern Illinois
22. Jed Castles, Abilene Christian
21. Brandan Serrano, Youngstown State
20. Coleman Kuntz, Sacramento State
19. Jyrin Johnson, Texas Southern
18. Matt Robbert, Richmond (transfer from Cornell)
17. Bryce Myers, Penn
16. Jaxson Davis, Mississippi Valley State
15. Noah Canty, Duquesne (transfer from Stonehill)
14. Lee Negrotto, Nicholls
13. EJ Core, Delaware State
12. Josh Gale, UC Davis
11. Worth Warner, Presbyterian
10. DJ Nelson, Alabama A&M (transfer from UT Martin)
9. Rohan Jones, Montana State (transfer from Maine)
8. Keshawn Toney, South Carolina State
7. Mason Gilbert, Maine (transfer from Lafayette)
6. Joe Stoffel, North Dakota State
5. Hunter Brown, Eastern Kentucky
4. Tavarious Griffin, Alcorn State
3. JJ Galbreath, South Dakota
After a solid 2022 campaign that saw him haul in 22 catches for 286 yards and a touchdown, Galbreath upped his play last fall. The 6-foot-4 and 240-pounder caught 36 passes for 579 yards and five TDs. Galbreath had the No. 10 overall PFF grade among FCS tight ends, featuring the No. 7 receiving grade. He earned All-MVFC Honorable Mention accolades.
2. Cole Grossman, Montana
Grossman returns after missing all of last season due to offseason surgery. The 6-foot-4 and 225-pounder is a two-time All-Big Sky Honorable Mention selection, a 2021 Freshman All-American, and a 2022 Sophomore All-American. Grossman caught 36 passes for 463 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. And in 2022, he recorded 28 catches for 397 yards and five scores.
1. Carter Runyon, Towson
A standout at D3 Shenandoah University, Runyon transferred to Towson last season. He led Towson in all three receiving categories with 43 catches, 549 yards, and four touchdowns. At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, Runyon had the eighth-best PFF receiving grade for an FCS tight end, and his pass-blocking grade was No. 2. He earned First Team All-CAA accolades and Second Team All-American honors from Stats Perform and the AP.
