Some schools make a habit of producing NFL talent at particular positions.
Who remembers when former head coach Walt Harris referred to Pitt as "Wide Receiver U" around the time Antonio Bryant (2000) and Larry Fitzgerald ('03) won the Biletnikoff Award within a three-year span?
Penn State stakes a claim as "Linebacker U," and USC occasionally is called "Running Back U" and deservedly so.
Miami can call itself "Tight End U" because the Hurricanes have produced a long time of NFL talent at the position. Here's a brief list of top-flight tight ends to have played at Miami: Greg Olsen, Jeremy Shockey, Bubba Franks, Jimmy Graham, David Njoku and Kellen Winslow Jr.
It's an impressive list.
Since 2000, there have been 12 Miami tight ends drafted, which just edges out Iowa and Notre Dame (11 each) for most in college football. But what separates the Hurricanes is five were first-round picks, there have been 16 Pro Bowl selections among the group and five All-Pro nods.
Expect that list to grow after the 2020 season, because -- shocker -- Miami tops this list of the ACC's best tight ends.
1. BREVIN JORDAN, MIAMI
Some might consider Iowa State's Charlie Kolar, Florida's Kyle Pitts or Penn State's Pat Freiermuth better NFL Draft prospects. That's debatable, but there's little disputing Jordan is the best in the ACC, and that's saying something because it's a deep group in the conference.
A junior, Jordan (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) was a finalist for the John Mackey Award last season, finishing with 35 receptions for 495 yards and two touchdowns. Unlike many at the position, Jordan is dangerous after the catch. His size, speed and athletic ability make him a matchup nightmare.
Those stats came in only nine games as Jordan's season was shortened because of a foot injury. Still, Jordan earned All-ACC first-team honors and is considered a potential first-round pick in 2021.
Canes up!
Jarren Williams finds Brevin Jordan for six. pic.twitter.com/8timO7hYym
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 25, 2019
2. NOAH GRAY, DUKE
The 6-4, 240-pound Gray became a full-time starter as a junior and was an important safety valve for the Blue Devils' offense. There's a good chance he'll be a favorite target for new starting quarterback Chase Brice, a Clemson transfer.
Gray, who has Type 1 diabetes, was productive last season. His 51 receptions led Duke and were second-most at the position among Power 5 programs, but he finished with just 392 yards and three touchdowns. Still, he was second-team All-ACC and a second-team Walter Camp All-American.
1️⃣8️⃣ ✖️ 8️⃣7️⃣ doubling up 😈#GoDuke pic.twitter.com/9Nco15yA92
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) September 28, 2019
3. HUNTER LONG, BOSTON COLLEGE
At 6-5, 255, Long has the size to be a problem in the passing game and the strength to be a key blocker for the Eagles' vaunted running game.
Deceptively fast for his size, Long led Boston College in receptions (28) and receiving yards (509) last season in earning All-ACC third-team honors. He'll be a nice piece for first-year coach Jeff Hafley -- a former Pitt assistant -- and could be in line for a big season if Notre Dame transfer Phil Jurkovec, a Pine-Richland High School product, is the Eagles' quarterback.
4. JAMES MITCHELL, VIRGINIA TECH
The Hokies' passing game could take a major step forward in 2020. Quarterback Hendon Hook and top receiver Tre Turner are back. So is the athletic Mitchell, a former four-star recruit who became a big-play threat last season.
Mitchell (6-3, 252) finished 2019 with 21 receptions for 361 yards and two touchdowns. But here's the catch: Mitchell is a threat in the run game. He rushed for four touchdowns, all in short-yardage situations, in 2019.
TE James Mitchell gives Virginia Tech a 21-0 lead over Miami with the Jet Sweep TOUCHDOWN RUN!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/gw0EmfnIac
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) October 5, 2019
Mitchell split time with Dalton Keene and Damon Hazelton last season. They're now gone, making Mitchell more of a focal point in the offense.
5. CARY ANGELINE, NORTH CAROLINA STATE
The Pennsylvania native -- Angeline is from Chester Springs -- is a massive target at 6-7, 250, and he makes plays in the red zone, finishing with a team-high five touchdown receptions in 2019.
The former USC player put together a strong redshirt junior season, finishing with 25 catches for 379 yards on a pretty dreadful Wolfpack offense. He did struggle down the stretch with just two catches for 10 yards over the final three games, but he's an effective blocker with a big wingspan.
Sports Illustrated ranks him as the 19th best NFL prospect at the position.
North Carolina State TE Cary Angeline showing off his blocking prowess coming across the formation and picking up the LB so the RB can get to the second level #NFLDraft #Wolfpack #NCState pic.twitter.com/pDX2ZFthxt
— Brian Johannes (@Draft_Brian) July 2, 2020
Don't forget to check out previous ACC position rankings:
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