Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Size:
Height: 6032
Weight: 241
Arm: 32 ¼”
Hand: 9 ¼”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-MAC (2023)
“A weapon in both phases with a natural gift for route-running and run blocking, Harold Fannin Jr. has a rare blend of skills and talent.”
Strengths:
Fantastic route-runner in all areas of the field
High-level blocker in the run game
Suddenness and physical strength
YAC ability
Versatility
Concerns:
Doesn’t have a big frame
Lighter than most in-line tight ends
Competition level
Film Analysis:
It’s not often that we see junior draftees out of Bowling Green, but Harold Fannin Jr. is an uncommon player. The Canton, Ohio native was an unranked and unrecruited prospect, primarily playing strong safety and receiver in high school. Since joining the Falcons, Fannin Jr. has developed into one of the most prolific offensive players in the country.
Fannin Jr. brings a well-rounded skill set and the mentality needed to dominate in multiple phases of the game. His experience as a defensive player in high school is evident in how fearlessly he engages defenders and in his strong understanding of leverage and block-shedding. He excels as a blocker in space, using physicality and sound technique to take on defensive ends and linebackers. Despite his smaller frame, he plays with the toughness and effectiveness of a much bigger player when battling in the trenches.
What stands out most about Fannin Jr.’s film is the versatility he demonstrates in this Falcons offense. He is used as a single-side receiver, tight end, backfield player, and slot receiver. He’s a go-to for screens in this offense and has been consistently productive when given manufactured touches. Where Fannin Jr. will make his mark is in his unparalleled skill both with and without the ball in his hands.
Fannin Jr.’s route tree attacks all areas of the field. He’s a manipulative and cerebral route runner, tough to be re-routed, and plays with great balance through contact. Especially when facing catch technique from nickels and safeties, he can work a shoulder and turn the defender’s hips. He’s crafty against man coverage and presses his routes beautifully to take advantage of the spacing in his offense. There’s a natural understanding of both the levels of the field and the responsibilities of the coverage he’s facing.
While he doesn’t have the frame of most traditional NFL tight ends, Fannin Jr. has a suddenness about him that makes him a difficult matchup, regardless of how good the coverage is. His sturdiness as a route runner, combined with his body control and elusiveness, makes him a matchup nightmare.
Another great aspect of his game is what he does with the ball in his hands. He’s a north-and-south runner with a second-nature ability to gain extra yards and make defenders miss. He beautifully combines finesse with toughness. All in all, this skill set—and more importantly, his film—makes Fannin Jr. one of the best offensive weapons in this draft, and a candidate to be a heavily used and targeted asset in an NFL offense.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Exposures: Penn State (2024), Texas A&M (2024), Old Dominion (2024)
