Which tight ends are ready to emerge as top targets for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida entering the 2024 season?

With the season nearing the opening whistle, here's a closer look at some of the area's best as Florida high school football approaches kickoff. On Friday, Aug. 23, Jacksonville-area schools begin the march toward the FHSAA championships on deck for this December, following the end of the Metro-Suburban system and the return of enrollment-based classification. Florida-committed Tae'shaun Gelsey is among several tight ends to watch closely during the coming season on the First Coast.

Here's the Times-Union's ranking of the area's best TEs, from 5 to 1:

Reeled in 14 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns in his first season at Trinity. Turned in huge numbers as a sophomore at Christ's Church, with 54 receptions for 544 yards and eight TDs.

College commitment/offers: Offers include St. Anselm, St. Thomas and Erskine.

A multi-talented performer for the Toros, Erasmus caught 25 passes for 273 yards in his junior year. He also served as Tocoi Creek's punter, averaging 37.4 yards per punt.

An impressive performer as a freshman in part-time action, Winn caught eight passes for 297 yards for the Bears in 2023. He committed to college football at the New Jersey school in July.

College commitment/offers: Named top 10 of Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Texas A&M.

A reliable target in the passing game, catching 37 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns last season. Rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals, he's among Florida's top tight ends for the 2026 class.

Northeast Florida's highest-rated tight end, Gelsey committed to the Gators in June. He caught 48 passes for 859 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, and averaged nearly a double-double on the basketball court.