Can Fannin, Jr. follow Morris’ path? | 2025 NFL Draft preview
5 min readBowling Green tight ends produce on a year-in-and-year-out basis. Harold Fannin, Jr.’s production reaches another level unmatched by the group. Former Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak’s No. 1 target, Fannin, Jr. is a true force.
And it didn’t just start this season.
Productivity
Fannin, Jr. posted three 90-yard receiving outings and one 89-yard effort in the last four MAC contests of 2023.
One season removed from averaging 14 yards per reception on 44 grabs, Fannin, Jr.’s 2024 flight plan is on full display.
He posted four straight 100-yard receiving efforts through the first week of October, including a 137-yard receiving effort on 11 catches versus Penn State. He followed that up with an eight-catch, 145-yard receiving performance against Texas A&M in College Station.
For good measure, Fannin, Jr. lit up Old Dominion to the tune of 188 yards on 12 receptions. He scored twice in that contest.
So how does the nation’s fourth-leading receiver (as of 10-12-24) get it done?
Usage in the Falcons offense
When used in a crack split (alignment) after the use of motion, Fannin, Jr. executes a variety of mesh concepts. These appear in that alignment or from the down tight end spot.
Why?
They accentuate his run after the catch capability (2nd and 8, 1st QTR/9:29, Penn State ’24). Fannin, Jr. is extremely tough to tackle on the move.
In the U-off tight end alignment, Fannin, Jr. runs corner routes out of bunch formations. These typically involve one or more players sitting down on the side of the closed trips look.
In these instances, his next level space capability begins to take shape. He caught a 65-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half versus Texas A&M. Fannin, Jr. turned around Aggies safety Marcus Ratcliffe twice before turning on the afterburners to get into the end zone. The score cut the lead to three points (13-10).
Realistically, he’s used like an extra wide receiver within their attack. It comes in a slightly different way than former BGSU tight ends Quentin Morris (Buffalo Bills) or Christian Sims (former All-MAC tight end).
On the first play of the Penn State contest, he was aligned at the down tight end spot (Y). The team ran a four-vertical concept versus the Nittany Lions three-deep zone look. Quarterback Connor Bazelak threw a perfect pass down the seam but Nittany Lions free safety Zakee Wheatley had a direct bead on Fannin. Showing no fear of contact, Fannin, Jr. caught the ball as if he were in a seven-on-seven drill.
Aside from the U-off tight end and down tight end spots, Fannin, Jr. also aligns in the No. 3 slot receiver position in some of their two tight end sets. On the first drive of that contest, he scored on a dash pass after resetting before the snap.
At the No. 2 slot position, his quick slant patterns are sharp. Tough to bring down one-on-one, Fannin, Jr. turns into a running back with the ball in his hands.
His ability to set up defenders with the first stick (off outside leg) regains outside leverage on corner routes (RZ-TD, 1st QTR, ODU ’24). He also scored on another corner pattern in this game, but it came on an over the shoulder body control catch through a defender closing from the inside-out. Fannin, Jr. kept his balance along the sidelines and ran away from the secondary on the third quarter 65-yard touchdown grab.
NFL projection
These types of catches have become normalized when watching the John Mackey Award candidate’s weekly play. Head coach Scot Loeffler, who’s coached in the NFL and at various collegiate stops, understands what Fannin, Jr. brings to the table.
“He could play anywhere that I’ve coached. He’s a great player. He has to keep concentrating and doing the things that he’s doing. I said this to our team – he’s a freak show. I mean, he is a very, very good player,” Loeffler told the Sentinel-Tribune.
In that same game, however, Fannin, Jr. was absent on a third down and 14 (Red Zone) touchdown pass. Bowling Green aligned with two tight ends. Senior Levi Gazarek and junior Elijah Boyd stayed in the contest for max pass protection.
Additionally, on the team’s 41-yard touchdown run from running back Jamal Johnson near the end of the first half, Gazarek was the tight end. The formation featured 11 personnel (3 WRs, TE, RB) and Gazarek was responsible to kick out the weak side defensive end on the split zone run concept.
This is not a 100-percent theme. For example, in the fourth quarter Gazarek and Fannin, Jr. were seen blocking together on a Connor Bazelak interception. They were featured in the same 12 personnel (2 TEs, RB, 2 WRs) and formation design.
Additionally, in that same quarter, Fannin, Jr. executed a down block on a power scheme first down run to his side as the down Y-tight end.
So, at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, can Fannin, Jr. provide a blocking element at the next level? He has only been okay looking up second level personnel as a blocker.
Defenders who use catch techniques (from five yards off in a square alignment) can alter his pass patterns with jams. A tendency to raise his upper body at the top of cuts caused him to not separate from Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris. Bazelak’s second interception (3rd and 11, 4th QTR/3:18, Penn State ’24) was overthrown, but Fannin, Jr. did not create space on the pattern.
Synopsis
Last week’s game against a tough Northern Illinois defense gives teams a blueprint on how to slow Fannin, Jr.
After tallying four straight 100-yard receiving performances, Fannin, Jr. was held to 25 yards on just four receptions.
The Huskies, however, have the nation’s ninth-ranked passing defense (through 10-12-24).
A lack of elite bulk factors into Fannin, Jr.’s final NFL evaluation. His ball tracking skills offset the potential drawback. In addition, there is room to add weight prior to the postseason circuit prior to the draft.
The aforementioned Morris’ success as a backup tight end for the Bills bodes well for Fannin, Jr.’s projections.
Morris made it as an undrafted free agent despite being a two-time All-MAC selection.
Do not expect Fannin, Jr. to experience the same fate.