Harold Fannin Jr. took a moment. The star Bowling Green tight end had just been posed with a question which could’ve been answered in countless ways.
He was asked, if he were to point to a particular game in his career that shows what he’s capable of, which game would he pick. He pointed out his performances against Arkansas State in Bowling Green’s bowl game this past season – 17 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown – and then-ranked Texas A&M – eight receptions for 145 yards and a score.
When the spotlight was on him, Fannin thrived. He hurdled players, made difficult catches, and made things difficult for any opponent he faced.
Fannin was also asked at the NFL Combine where he sees himself fitting into the group of tight ends in this year’s draft class. But after all he did and all the records he broke, he feels that’s the wrong way of thinking about it.
“I don’t really feel like I fit in,” Fannin replied. “I feel like I stand out in a way. I’m very versatile. I move around, and you can see I play in a lot of different positions.”
Harold Fannin Jr. NFL Draft Projection
I project Fannin will be selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Earlier this offseason, I projected he would be a first-round pick. But I’ve somehow become one of the few people – outside of Bowling Green fans – who believe he’s that kind of talent.
He is new to the position compared to other prospects, but he’s young and has improved exponentially during his time in college. There are very good tight ends in this class, but I can’t see many NFL teams passing on him on Day 2.
Fannin doesn’t feel playing in the MAC or at Bowling Green should cause him to fall in the draft.
“The MAC is like hidden gems,” he said. “You’ve kind of got to sift through it, but there’s definitely some guys in there that can definitely step up at this level.”
What Was Harold Fannin’s 40 Time At The NFL Combine?
Harold Fannin Jr. ran the 40-yard dash in 4.71 seconds at the 2025 NFL Combine. He ranked sixth out of 14 tight ends who participated.
He ran a three-cone drill time of 6.97 seconds, which was second out of eight tight ends, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.39 seconds, which was third out of nine. His vertical jump of 34 inches was eighth out of 15 in his position group, and his broad jump of 9 feet, 10 inches was ninth out of 14. He also completed 22 reps in the bench press, which was fourth out of five tight ends who participated.
“Just going out there and just being confident and just being myself,” Fannin said at the combine. “That’s really all I got to do.”
Harold Fannin’s Height & Weight
Harold Fannin was measured at 6-foot-3, 241 pounds at the NFL Combine.
Harold Fannin’s Stats & Highlights
Fannin was the first tight end in college football history to lead the country in total receiving yards and catches. He was also the first tight end in FBS history to be named a conference’s overall player of the year.
Fannin set the single-season FBS records for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,555 and catches with 117 in 2024. He also set the receiving yards and catches records by a tight end in a bowl game when he put up 213 yards against Arkansas State in the 68Ventures Bowl. His reception total tied the FBS record for a tight end in any game.
He owns myriad Bowling Green records for a tight end, including career receptions (180), receiving yards (2,396), and receiving touchdowns (17). He’s also top 10 all-time in the FBS among tight ends for receiving yards and catches.
Fannin was a two-time Group of Five first-team All-American and BGSU’s first-ever consensus All-American. He was the G5 Offensive Player of the Year in 2024.
In 2022, Fannin played in 12 games and caught 19 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown. A year later, he hauled in 44 passes for 623 yards and six scores. And this past season, he led all FBS players – not just tight ends – in receiving yards and catches as well as yards after catch (873) to go with 10 touchdowns.
He also ran for 159 yards and five touchdowns on 33 carries during his Bowling Green career.
“It’s definitely a lot of hard work,” Fannin said. “A lot of chemistry, a lot of trust with your teammates and especially with the coaches.”
Where Is Harold Fannin Jr. From?
Harold Fannin Jr. is from Canton, Ohio. He played safety and wide receiver at McKinley High School.
Harold Fannin Jr. NFL Draft Betting Odds
Fannin’s draft betting odds of being the first tight end selected are +30000, per BetMGM. He’s tied for the fifth-best odds behind Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, Elijah Arroyo, and Mason Taylor.
Harold Fannin’s NFL Comparison & 2025 NFL Draft Profile
Harold Fannin Jr.’s game has often been compared to Antonio Gates and Isaiah Likely. I see why after watching his tape closely.
Fannin was first in Pro Football Focus’ grades among all FBS tight ends for receiving and overall offense in 2024. That was better than other top prospects at the position like Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland.
Fannin also led all pass catchers – so wide receivers and running backs included – with 3.77 yards per route run and 74 first downs gained through the air.
That’s all while dropping just four passes all year.
Fannin’s time in the 40 has been used as a reason for why he’ll fall during the draft, but he looks fast on film. He also rarely goes down after one tackle attempt, as he hurdled, juked out, and stiff-armed defenders in college. He’s capable of making explosive plays in the open field.
Fannin recognizes defensive coverage and knows how to get open, but he’s also physical and doesn’t shy away from making catches over the middle when opponents are aiming to hit him.
Level of play has also been a criticism against Fannin. But his games against teams like Penn State (11 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown) as well as Texas A&M (eight receptions for 145 yards and a TD) show why that’s not necessarily a valid concern either.
Fannin did acknowledge he’s not incredibly dominant as a blocker, but I think he can do enough to play in the NFL considering he’ll primarily be on the field to be a receiving threat.
“I was kind of like a mismatch expert,” Fannin said. “So the NFL, they like guys who can move around and play more than one position and find those mismatches.”
Fannin is an incredible playmaker at tight end, and I believe he’ll prove to be a valuable addition if he falls to Round 2 or later in the draft.
