Tate Hoover, Ball State TE: the 2026 season story
Tate Hoover is a senior tight end for Ball State (Mid-American). He ranks 207th of 305 tight ends in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every tight end on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked tight end, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Tate Hoover's strongest measure is catch rate at 68%, 75th of 169 (the average is 67%). His weakest is receiving yards per game at 10, 144th of 169 (the average is 23).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His receiving yards per game, 10, ranks 144th among 169 ranked tight ends.
Against every tight end
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked tight ends he sits, on average, in the 21st percentile for volume, 34th for efficiency and 26th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 9 games, Tate Hoover's best came in week 8 against Sacramento State and his quietest in week 6 at Northwestern.
When it matters
Why it matters. Third downs, the red zone and games against good teams are where drives and seasons are decided.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every tight end on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Tate Hoover is 134th of 169 FBS tight ends and 14th of 16 in the Mid-American. Next up nationally is Zeke Moore of Boston College, 0.01 ahead on the index.
Tight ends like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Ethan John of Prairie View A&M.
