6’5” – 247 lbs. – 4.54
Worked into the offense in his first two seasons, then became a major contributor as a junior and reprised that role as a senior. Has good size and adequate bulk for the position. Lines up as an inline option, as an H-Back, and as more of a receiver. Much more fundamentally sound as a blocker than he is physically dominant. Was responsible for executing various different blocking assignments in both the run and pass games. Can slide his feet and get into position to successfully engage defenders. Does a good job of placing his hands inside and working to sustain. Athletic enough to get to the second level and stalk defenders in the run game. Good ability to stick with defenders down the field. However, doesn’t play with the power his size would indicate. Walls off defenders rather than getting underneath them and driving them off the line of scrimmage. Could use more glass in his diet; not a nasty player. Can be overwhelmed by power at the point of attack. Hands find their way outside against bigger opponents. In the passing game, often runs down the seams, occasionally working back to the quarterback or running whip routes toward the sidelines. Also fed the ball on tunnel screens. Can be a difficult matchup for opponents from a physical and athletic standpoint. Not overwhelmingly fast but exhibits some nuance in his route running. Works in head fakes and stutter-steps and changes speeds to lull defenders. However, has a tendency to settle into coverage underneath instead of working himself open. Very rarely separates cleanly from opponents, forcing throws into coverage or getting manufactured touches. Ball skills are the most impressive element of his game. Has soft, reliable hands. Does a good job of tracking and making adjustments to throws. Impressive body control for a player his size, with the ability to twist and come down with passes. Able to pluck the ball away from his frame. Gets upfield quickly after the catch and can pick up yardage in the screen game, although he is not a particularly powerful runner. Some teams may be turned off by his passive (soft?) style, but is a talented receiver with enough physical and athletic gifts to potentially develop into a starting flex tight end, but will need to improve his blocking and route-running in order to work his way up the depth chart.
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