Tight end Cary Angeline (Exton, Pa./Downingtown West) may be at this moment the most underrated prospect by the recruiting industry in the entire 2016 cycle.
After evaluating Angeline on film, checking with sources who have evaluated him in person (to confirm size, athleticism and other aspects of his game) and digging in a bit on the four-star prospect, he may be the top tight end in this class and the top tight end prospect in some time.
In fact, though I steer clear of player comparisons, you can see a little Kyle Rudolph and a little Rob Gronkowski in this particular prospect.
There are reasons for making such a bold statement.
1. His size is legit
Angeline is 6-foot-7, 235 pounds (verified at a Nike SPARQ Combine) with a frame to add more muscle. This is important that this is verified because oftentimes there’s the “real” measurement and then the “accepted” measurement. Angeline’s size is real.
2. His athleticism is legit
A college recruiter who watched Angeline play basketball raved about his overall athleticism. This recruiter watched the Pennsylvania product score 37 pounds and grab 22 rebounds in a high school hoops game. I don’t care who you are, it takes a great athlete to do that. Plus, football prospects who compete in other competitive sports at the high school level oftentimes have a better understanding of competing in actual football games (there’s no pressure in 7-on-7 FWIW) when they get to the college level, so being a baller on the court only reinforces the notion that Angeline is an elite prospect.
3. He’s elusive in the open field
Some tight ends who are already Angeline’s size are earmarked “potentially will grow into an offensive tackle” when you watch them with the ball in their hands in the open field. They are quite lumbering and while they have feet and frame and can catch the football, oftentimes they are better suited long-term for tackle because they have no prayer of making a defensive back or linebacker miss once they catch the ball. Not so with Angeline. He’s got light feet and quickness, something that can be considered somewhat rare for a talent with his size.
4. He’s not afraid to get down and dirty
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are times when uber-athletic prospects at tight end want no part of blocking. They are more than content being plus-sized wide receivers, catching passes and making plays in the passing game with little regard for the dirty work that comes with the position. That isn’t going to get you to the NFL at this position in a full-time role (though the league does use the specialty split tight end types). Angeline has no problem sticking his hand in the dirt and obliterating defenders.
Currently, Angeline is ranked as the No. 213 overall prospect in the 2016 cycle per 247Sports Composite rankings. While that is a lofty ranking for sure, it’s not nearly indicative of his true ceiling as a prospect and honestly as the No. 9 tight end, the only other prospect at this position you could make an argument for over Angeline is the No. 1- Florida State commit Isaac Nauta who is one of, if not the, most college-ready high school player in the country. Even comparing Nauta to Angeline- Angeline has a higher ceiling and more upside as Nauta is already 98 percent of the way to his ceiling. That’s not to say you couldn’t make an argument for either to be tops at the position, but both are five-star locks in my book.
“The thing is that Nauta is already a grown man,” one college recruiter said. “I don’t know how much better he’s going to be than he is right now. I mean, he’s great, but how much better is he going to get?”
Cary Angeline Downingtown East
Cary Angeline Where will Cary Angeline commit to?
Penn State 100%
All Crystal Ball Predictions
Currently, Penn State has 100 percent of the predictive expert vote for Angeline’s services according to 247Sports Crystal Ball. Nearly every other significant program that recruits Pennsylvania has offered and schools will likely continue to offer moving forward.