Previewing the 2023 HS football season: Elija Lofton, Davon Mitchell headline top 10 tight ends

MaxPreps continues its preseason look at the 2023 high school football season, zoning in on the tight ends.

We've already highlighted the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers, and close out the week with a look at the guys in the trenches on the offensive line on Friday. The following week moves to the defensive side with the D line, linebackers and defensive backs.

Elija Lofton of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) headlines the list of tight ends after capping his junior season with a five-touchdown performance in a one-sided 49-14 win over nationally ranked Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.). Lofton and the Gaels begin the 2023 season at No. 2 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Landen Thomas of Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) is the first of four tight ends featured from the Peach State. No other state had multiple selections.

1. Elija Lofton, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Miami | Class: Senior (2024)
Had a monster junior campaign for a team that finished No. 4 in the final MaxPreps Top 25. Posted 30 receptions for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns to go with seven rushing scores. The recent Hurricanes pledge was a first-team selection on the MaxPreps Junior All-America squad.

2. Landen Thomas, Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 235
Status: Committed to Florida State | Class: Senior (2024)
Hauled in 44 receptions for 753 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, and was a second-team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection. He helped the Packers go 13-1 reaching the AAAAAAA semifinals.

3. Davon Mitchell, Los Alamitos (Calif.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245
Status: Committed to Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2024)
Reclassified when he committed to the Sooners on July 8. A first-team MaxPreps Sophomore All-American last season at Allen (Texas), he finished with 33 receptions for 731 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 22.2 yards per catch.

4. Michael Smith, Calvary Day (Savannah, Ga.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 235
Status: Committed to South Carolina | Class: Senior (2024)
The four-star is one of the toughest players to cover in high school football. He lines up everywhere on offense and is a matchup nightmare.

5. Elyiss Williams, Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 235
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Junior (2025)
The top-rated tight end in his class committed to Kirby Smart's Bulldogs in April and is the first of two tight ends headed to Athens. He's the complete package with his combination of size and speed.

6. Jaden Reddell, Raymore-Peculiar (Peculiar, Mo.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 235
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2024)
Committed to the back-to-back National Champions in May and is coming off a very productive junior campaign. The four-star hauled in 49 receptions for 1,002 yards and 12 touchdowns.

7. Trey'Dez Green, East Feliciana (Jackson, La.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 240
Status: Committed to LSU | Class: Senior (2024)
The multi-sport standout had 42 receptions for 848 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 20.6 yards per catch. On the hardwood he was a Class 2A all-state selection after averaging 27 points and 11 rebounds per game.

8. Damarion Witten, Glenville (Cleveland)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2024)
A versatile playmaker, the future Buckeye lines up everywhere on offense. He helped Glenville to a 15-0 record last season and the school's first state championship.

9. Walter Matthews, Hiram (Ga.)
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 245
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2024)
The fourth Peach State product finished last season with 20 receptions for 425 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging over 21 yards per catch.

10. Hogan Hansen, Bellevue (Wash.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Michigan | Class: Senior (2024)
Plays in a run-heavy offense, is a very good blocker and overall the complete package. He is also a standout playmaker catching the ball and makes a huge impact on defense. Hansen checks in as the second-rated player in Washington, according to 247Sports.

SOURCE: MaxPreps