In college football, there were a number of elite playmakers at every corner but no player meant more to his team’s success than Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin, Jr. After three seasons with the Falcons, the talented tight end is headed to the NFL. He’s looking to be the highest-drafted former Falcon since 1971 and could fight to become just the second Bowling Green player taken in the first round, joining Bernie Casey (1961, San Francisco 49ers).
Early 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Harold Fannin, Jr.
Harold Fannin, Jr. Measurables
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 230 pounds
Background and Accolades
Coming out of McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, Fannin was a no-star recruit and held just one FBS scholarship offer. He was a wide receiver and safety for the Bulldogs and made the switch to tight end when he hit campus. Bowling Green coaches were in awe of his size, athleticism, and work ethic that led assistant coach Brian White to believe the tight end was destined for the NFL.
As a true freshman, Fannin made an immediate impact with a 16-yard catch on his first play. He appeared in 12 games in his first season and amassed 218 yards and one touchdown off 19 receptions. He broke out last year as a sophomore and led all MAC tight ends with 623 yards and six touchdowns off 44 receptions.
Expectations were sky-high for Fannin in 2024 and he smashed even the loftiest outlooks. Through his bowl game, Fannin finished with 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a tight end, Fannin not only led other tight ends in every statistical category, he led all players in receptions and yards.
He became the program’s most decorated player in history. Fannin was recognized as a consensus First-Team All-American and was a The Sporting News selection away from being a Unanimous First-Team All-American.
Fannin owns a number of program records and finished atop all of college football in dozens of statistical categories. Honestly, there are too many to list so his player page on the Bowling Green roster does a good job.
Harold Fannin Jr. set FBS records for:
TE Receptions (117)
Should be a first round pick in a stacked TE class. pic.twitter.com/S2S0BaK5QN
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 5, 2025
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Strengths:
- Led college football in receptions and yards
- Great athleticism to get up the seams
- Size creates matchup nightmares
- Effortless in racking up YAC
- As sure-handed as they come, can track the ball in the air and make 50/50 balls 90/10
- Stayed healthy despite massive workload
- Runs better routes than a player of his size should
Weaknesses:
- Just okay at in-line blocking
- Was primarily used as a large receiver rather than traditional tight end
- Not as reliable against physical man coverage as you’d think
- Lower body needs work
- Competition level will be a concern
Best Team Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers
Projected Round: Second Round
Harold Fannin, Jr. in the NFL
Each year, draft experts fall in love with those high-ceiling, fantasy-relevant tight ends. This year, that could be Fannin.
Fannin projects to be a receiving-first tight end who needs to work a bit on his blocking chops. As a receiver, Fannin can line up anywhere, get open, and get chunk yardage. In the right system, Fannin could be utilized as a big WR3 as the Bengals do with Mike Gesicki.
Despite having nothing else on offense to pull focus, Fannin was the single most dominant player in the MAC. Even if he played against MAC competition, amassing 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns and leading the way in scores of stats is impressive. The concern will be that he was a massive fish in a tiny, tiny pond. However, in the two trips to Power 4 foes this year at Penn State and Texas A&M, Fannin was the best offensive player and totaled 282 yards and two touchdowns off 19 receptions. He saved the best for last and willed the Falcons to a narrow loss with 213 yards and a score off 17 receptions in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
If Fannin can get into a Chiefs-like system where he can sit back and develop and play sparingly, he should be able to have a solid career. Fannin could learn from Travis Kelce for a year or however long he’s still playing and then take over.
In fantasy, he will be a hot ticket in rookie drafts, especially in tight end premium leagues. A high-volume receiver with YAC potential? Yes, please.
Main Image: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
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