Strengths:
Excellent height and bulk with long arms and large hands --- Terrific natural athleticism --- Soft, reliable hands --- Superb body control and ball skills --- Good route runner who knows how to get open --- Able to get off the line and beat the jam --- Runs hard after the catch and will break tackles --- Flashes some strength and power --- Excellent blocker both in-line and in space --- Plays with an edge and finishes --- A Hard Worker --- Tough --- Competitive --- Productive --- Fantastic Bloodlines.
Weaknesses:
Health / Durability are major concerns --- Not very explosive --- Is a bit stiff --- Average game speed, acceleration and quickness --- Doesn't get a lot of separation --- Won't be much of a vertical weapon --- Not real elusive and won't make people miss --- Is relatively inexperienced.
Notes:
Was a two-year starter for the Wildcats --- Named 1st Team All-Pac-10 in 2008 --- Father, Gordon, played football at Syracuse --- Brother, Dan, plays tight end for the Detroit Lions --- Brother, Chris, also played at Arizona and is eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft --- Brother, Gordie, played minor league baseball in the Los Angeles Angles system --- Sat out three games in 2008 with what was believed to be either strep throat or mononucleosis --- Missed the entire 2009 season after undergoing surgery last September to repair a herniated lumbar disk and nerve damage in his back --- Burst onto the scene as a true freshman and has been considered to be the top tight end prospect in his class for quite some time --- Nice all-around player who earns high marks as a pass catcher and blocker --- A legitimate first round talent but stock is clouded by the back injury, an ailment that can linger and have long- term ramifications -- Profiles as a starter assuming he can stay healthy.
| Career Statistics |
| Year |
GP |
REC |
YDS |
YPC |
TD |
| 2007 |
12 |
28 |
525 |
18.8 |
6 |
| 2008 |
10 |
47 |
672 |
14.3 |
10 |
| 2009 |
DNP |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Totals |
22 |
75 |
1,197 |
15.9 |
16 |
| |
|
