The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. plans on taking full advantage. Fannin Jr. recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Fannin Jr. also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, rewriting the program’s record books, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Fannin Jr. better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Harold Fannin Jr.: It was very fitting. I was actually down at the Venture Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. I was very thankful and excited when I found out about my invite. I’m ready for this opportunity.
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Harold Fannin Jr.: After the type of season I had, it only felt right to move forward and take that next step in my career. The Senior Bowl is a big part of the pre-draft process. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I have to take advantage right now. It’s all about striking while the iron’s hot and seizing the moment.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Harold Fannin Jr.: I just want to display my abilities. Basically, I want to prove that I could go out there and play with anybody in the country.
JM: What a special season you had. You set the FBS’ single-season receptions (117) and receiving yards record by a tight end with 1,555. How would Harold Fannin Jr. write his own scouting report? Describe your skill set for us.
Harold Fannin Jr.: One of my biggest assets is my ability to catch in traffic. I take that very seriously. I’m the tight end and I want my quarterback to think of me as his safety valve. I’d definitely like to say I thrive at catching the ball in traffic.
I’m obviously a great route-runner as well. I think I’m a high-end route runner when it comes to other tight ends. I create different mismatches with my speed and my size.
JM: Sticking with that topic, what was your favorite route to run this year? You had to have something, with 117 catches and 1,555 yards.
Harold Fannin Jr.: When I was younger, it used to be the slant route, the short stuff (laughs). After I came to Bowling Green, I learned to love the post and corner routes. I did some damage on those this year.
JM: Does Harold Fannin Jr. see himself being the “MOVE” tight end at the next level?
Harold Fannin Jr.: I love playing that hybrid role. It helped open up a bunch of different possibilities and matchups for me throughout 2024. There’s a lot of opportunities that present themselves when you move around the formation like that. It makes me a mismatch weapon.
The coaching staff at Bowling Green, the name of the game for my offensive coordinator, was to put me in mismatch situations. They moved me around to identify those opportunities. They put me in motion and whatnot.
JM: It led to a record-breaking season. Would you compare yourself to any tight ends in the league? Anyone you enjoy studying and learning from?
Harold Fannin Jr.: I wouldn’t really compare myself to anybody. I don’t watch much tape on pro tight ends. People tell me I kinda remind them of Isaiah Likely a little bit. I was like hey, that’s nice to hear (laughs).
JM: That’s a fun comp for you. What does Harold Fannin Jr.’s pre-game playlist look like?
Harold Fannin Jr.: There used to be a little Chief Keef on there (laughs). I don’t know anymore. This one game, I had a great game, I was listening to my TikTok saved sounds. That was different. My TikTok saved sounds had a whole bunch of motivational stuff. I played that and had a great game. Ever since then, whenever I have to really get in that mode, I’ve been listening to that instead of music.
JM: Whatever works for you! This has been an amazing conversation. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Harold Fannin Jr.?
Harold Fannin Jr.: It means I went out there and showed everyone I can compete. I also want to highlight who I am off the field as well. I’m a good person to be around and hang around. I’m going to be a great teammate in addition to who I am as a player.
