Taking a Flyer on an interesting tight end prospect in the Class of 2025

One of the most common positions in high school football where players tend to be late bloomers is tight end, because the young men just need to fill out in weight and perfect a few fundamentals like developing hands, running good routes and becoming good at blocking.

There’s a below-the-radar prospect locally that I really like, Colby Hamilton of Loyola College Prep. This is a kid who has filled out his frame, standing 6-4 almost 6-5, and now weighs 220 pounds.

Hamilton runs a 4.85 forty, and has close to a 4.0 GPA. He also competes for the Flyers on the track team in the 100 and 200 meters and is a forward on the basketball team.

Hamilton lined up at quarterback and receiver his first three years in his high school football career. That experience helps him make the transition to tight end much faster than normal.

“Colby switched from quarterback to a hybrid tight end/wide receiver for us in the spring,” said new Loyola coach John Sella. “It was a fairly seamless transition because moving from quarterback, he already knew all the plays and the roles of each position.

“He got a lot stronger over the summer to prepare for the new position. He’s almost 6-5 and has good size for the position at 220 pounds, and he can run,” said Sella. “He’s kind of the X factor in our offense because there’s so many things we can do when he’s out there and we move him around all over the field.

“He’s a tireless worker and willing to do anything for the team,” said Sella.

Hamilton is an engaging young man who has a really good handle on what he brings to the Flyers, and what lies ahead.

“I played quarterback on the JV team my freshman and sophomore year,” he said. “I was a backup on varsity my junior year but got a good many reps in games and lettered.

“I am still learning the position of tight end. Bryce Restovich, our quarterback, and I spent all offseason every Sunday training and running routes. Bryce is a phenomenal quarterback,” said Hamilton.

He put in the work before pulling on the pads for preseason. He spent time on the track, working with a speed trainer. He honed his pass-catching skills and hit the weight room every day.

“I spent the summer working as hard as I could be to be as good a player as possible at my new position in 2024,” said Hamilton.

The Flyers are off to a 2-1 start that if not for a very muddy field and a 8-6 loss in the season opener at St. Frederick, could be perfect. How is his role unfolding?

“This year as a tight end, the coaches move me into the slot on a lot of pass plays. I had some good catches against Logansport that got us first downs in some key third-down situations, and I had a touchdown catch this past Friday against Cedar Creek,” he said.

“Coach Sella and coach (Steven) Geter have really been working with me to refine my blocking and perfect my route running as well,” said Hamilton.

“Being a part of the Loyola football team is an incredible experience. My teammates are an unbelievable group of players,” he said. “Coach Sella has been the offensive coordinator my first three years. His knowledge of football is impressive. He has taught me so much.

“He is also very good at keeping us working as a team. We play for each other, not as individuals. This starts at the top with the coaches and they have installed this mindset in us. I think it will carry us a long way this year,” said Hamilton.

Loyola’s moved up to Class 4A to avoid unreasonable travel for district games in 3A. That will expose Hamilton and Flyers to even stronger competition and my guess is that this brand new tight end will blossom from a sleeper to a legit prospect that recruiters will notice. 

Contact Lee at [email protected] 

Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on X @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.