As we move through the best-returning players in the ACC, next up are the tight ends. The only players that qualify for this list are those that played in the ACC last season and will be playing in the ACC in 2023. Therefore, one of the best tight ends in the ACC in 2023 is not on this list. Jaheim Bell of Florida State would be on this list, likely at the top spot, but he was in the SEC in 2022. So, he is an honorable mention and will likely have a productive season with the Seminoles this year.
Tight ends pair nicely with both the best-returning offensive line and wide receivers, but they are a special position that sometimes gets overlooked. Let’s take a look at who the best-returning ACC quarterbacks will be utilizing in 2023.
2023 ACC Returning Tight Ends
5. Nicky Dalmolin; Duke
We must be crazy to put a Duke Blue Devil on this list, but we aren’t. Duke quarterback, Riley Leonard is poised to have a big season in 2023. Nicky Dalmolin is a senior that has proven himself in this offense. In 2022, Dalmolin played in only 10 games and still had 21 receptions and four touchdowns. The issue that we run into here is that Duke isn’t historically big on utilizing its tight ends. However, Dalmolin has been on the upswing since he arrived on campus. He increased his production from 2021 and if Leonard has the type of season projected, then his production should increase yet again. Dalmolin may not jump off the page, but he is consistent in both the passing game and the running game. Time will tell if Duke uses him more this season, but he is a veteran that Leonard has in his pocket when needed. This is what gets him on our list.
4. Gavin Bartholomew; Pitt
The University of Pittsburgh seems to be hot and cold throughout the last few seasons. This sometimes makes it hard for their position players to make individual lists. However, the upside of Gavin Bartholomew puts him on our list for 2023. In 2022, Bartholomew tallied 21 receptions for 283 yards and two touchdowns. This production was down from 2021 when in the same amount of games the tight end ended the season with 28 receptions for 326 yards and four touchdowns. So, with this decrease in production, why is he on this list? He has proven that he can be explosive and be a big upside for the Pitt offense. In addition, he is six-foot-five inches and 260 pounds. He has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with. Another thing, that people often overlook in this position, is that Bartholomew was a better blocker in 2022. If he can put these two things together in 2023, he will be more than worthy of the number four spot on this list.
3. Jake Briningstool; Clemson
There were two main tight ends on the Clemson offense last season. Davis Allen and our number three pick, Jake Briningstool. Allen now plays for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. This opens things wide up for Briningstool to be the number one tight end for the Tigers. Allen was third on the offense in receptions, showing that the tight end position is important at Clemson. As the number two tight end in 2022, Briningstool ended the season with 25 catches for 285 yards. He also finished the season with four touchdowns. Briningstool will be taking over for Allen in 2023 and with Cade Klubnik at the helm, there is a big upside for the six-foot-six-inch, 215-pound tight end.
2. Oronde Gadsden II; Syracuse
Syracuse is not a school that many would automatically assume is on this list. However, Oronde Gadsden II had such a big year in 2022 that he could not be overlooked. He played in 13 games last season and tallied 61 receptions. He nearly had a 1,000-yard season, falling just short at 969 receiving yards. None of the receivers for Syracuse came close to these totals last season. Gadsden runs routes like a wide receiver, averaging 15.9 yards per catch. Finally, he ended the season with six touchdowns and was a First-Team All-ACC selection. Gadsden did all of this on a 7-6 Syracuse squad. There is no denying that Gadsden is a very good tight end, however, our number one has one thing that Gadsden does not that pushes him over the edge.
1. Bryson Nesbit; UNC
Two things that our number one has going for him in 2023? First, UNC has Heisman candidate quarterback Drake Maye returning. Second, the top two receivers from a season ago are gone to the NFL. Josh Downs and Antoine Green have both left college football behind them, leaving the third leading receiver Bryson Nesbit as Maye’s top target for 2023. Nesbit ended 2022 with 35 receptions for 507 yards. He averaged 14.5 yards per reception and tallied four touchdowns. He has a slight push over Gadsen due to the quarterback that will be throwing to him this season. If Nesbit can improve on his yards after catch from a season ago, he will be even more valuable for Maye in 2023. This upside is what puts Nesbit at our top spot.
Photo courtesy: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
