Harold Fannin Jr. Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
School: Bowling Green
Class: Junior
Position: TE
HT: 6’4
WT: 235 lbs
Background: Harold Fannin Jr. was an unranked wide receiver/safety out of McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio. He was County Player of the Year and First Team All-Ohio as a safety, making 106 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 6 forced fumbles as a senior. As a wide receiver that season, Fannin caught 36 passes for 601 yards. Harold also lettered in basketball at McKinley. As an unranked and heavily under recruited player, Fannin went to Bowling Green, the only school to offer him a scholarship.
College: As a freshman, Fannin came onto the team and appeared in 12 games with 1 start. He notched 19 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown that season. As a sophomore, his development was becoming undeniable. He was an All-MAC selection after having over 600 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. With more attention on him in 2024 as a junior, Fannin became one of the best tight ends in the country. Fannin broke just about all of the records you can imagine - some school records and some college football records. Fannin was named an All-American First Team member by just about every outlet after grabbing 117 receptions for 1555 yards and 10 touchdowns. The receptions and receiving yards totals are the most by a tight end in NCAA FBS history.
Strengths: Harold Fannin has elite speed for the tight end position. He has an extensive route tree which shows off his burst and ability to get to that top speed. He cuts well and does not have any wasted movement within his routes. He can physically dominate defenders with a strong upper body to free himself and create separation. With the ball in his hands, Fannin is even more dangerous. His ability to make defenders miss in open space is second to none at the position. He is a fluid mover who can get anywhere on the field. He can line up both in the slot and along the offensive line. Fannin is also an exceptional blocker. He displays proper technique and stays square to push rushers back. His ability to block gives him the versatility to be a three-down tight end.
Weaknesses: Fannin could be held back by his smaller frame as a run blocker. He is undersized, which may lead to NFL defenders being able to bully him. He may be better as a slot tight end to utilize his speed and refrain from relying on him to throw a block or break out of the grip of stronger defensive linemen. He will be taking a big step from MAC defenders to the best of the best in the pros. Against bigger corners, Fannin has trouble creating separation due to his lack of physicality.
Conclusion: Harold Fannin’s athletic abilities will translate to the NFL. He is an elite receiving threat who can win at all three levels of the field. The only concerns for Fannin in the NFL stem from his size. If he stays at 230 lbs, he will have trouble staying on the field for obvious passing downs.
Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile
Ideal Role: Developmental Y TE
Best Team Fits: DEN, LAC, NO
Player Comparison: George Kittle
Player Grade: Round 1 (90.8)
