6’5” – 255 lbs. – 4.80
Redshirted, then started seven of eleven games the following year and caught 24-238-3. Started all eleven games the following year and added another 537 yards and five touchdowns. Led the team in receiving as a junior with roughly 40-595-9 (14.9, discrepancy between official and team states), then went 70-916-14 (13.1) as a senior captain. Big, well-built tight end who lines up all over the field, including split out wide; despite his size, was usually aligned as more of an H-Back than anything, often out of motion. Has pretty explosive movement skills for a big man. Demonstrates some suddenness and hand use to release at the line of scrimmage against press coverage, with a swim move to slip by linebackers sitting in zones. Ran routes to different levels of the field, attacking down the field, down the seams, but most frequently underneath, making himself available on hitches, shallow crosses, and flares. Reliable target with a big frame and soft hands. Capable of climbing the ladder and coming down with rebounds in coverage to bail quarterbacks out on jump balls. Has a no-nonsense approach after the catch and can be hard to bring down once he gets a head of steam going. Blocking ability is very impressive; looks like a bulldozer out there. Has very impressive short-area quickness for someone with his size, and can reach opposing defenders in space. Shows some nastiness to his game and is capable of generating movement when engaged; looked like a man among boys against his level of competition, regularly putting second-level defenders on skates or in the dirt. Gets good extension and keeps his feet churning after contact, working hard to stick with his man through the whistle. Typically ran routes on passing downs but has the length and lateral quickness to help protect the edge. Does a good job of firing his hands out and resetting them. Looks alert and light on his feet when retained. Can sometimes get a little bit out of control with regard to his balance, so improving his overall discipline should be his major goal as a blocker. A pretty difficult evaluation in that he looks so dominant as both a blocker and receiver against FCS competition, but will be making a big leap up at the next level. Still, his combination of size, speed, receiving skill, and blocking ability should put him in the second day conversation as a potential future starter.
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