Tag: Tight end University

WATCH: Players give their best impression of Chiefs TE Travis Kelce at Tight End University

Check out this video of players giving their best impression of Kansas City #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce at Tight End University | @EdEastonJr

The latest edition of Tight End University (TEU) gathered its most extensive collection of tight ends around the NFL and some quarterbacks. Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, one of the founders of the annual event, found himself on the receiving end of some players comedically impersonating his personality.

Multiple players participated in the video shared on the NFL’s official X account. Kelce’s signature catchphrases, including “Alright Now” and “New News,” were made famous in his hit New Heights podcast with brother Jason. The multiple-time All-Pro tight end is shown enjoying the various impressions of his character.

Retired Pro Bowler Greg Olsen and San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle co-founded Tight End University in 2021 with Kelce. This year’s event took place on the Vanderbilt University campus on Nashville’s West End, featuring veteran speakers, drills, and fun for all the players. TEU was designed to give a unique perspective on the tight-end position and allow the position group nationwide to bond, collaborate, and learn.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce gives passionate speech at fourth annual Tight End University

Kansas City #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce gives passionate speech at fourth annual Tight End University | @EdEastonJr

The fourth annual get-together, Tight End University (TEU), is underway on the Vanderbilt University campus on Nashville’s West End. Former retired Pro Bowler Greg Olsen, current San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle, and Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce started the tradition of bringing the league’s tight ends together.

This edition collected its largest group, with over 70 tight ends and quarterbacks showing up to guide, learn, and work on techniques. Players also bond with activities that aren’t football-related, creating a fun atmosphere during the process.

Raising Cane’s provided an on-site food truck to distribute the Chicken Finger fuel and participated in the programs. Cane’s owner, Todd Graves, spoke to players in a classroom session, sharing his entrepreneurial story with comparisons to a football player’s journey.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to speak to these great athletes about my journey and the values that have helped me be successful along the way. Whether it’s football or the restaurant business, dreaming big and being fanatical in your pursuit to be elite is the same. I was happy to hear from the players they appreciated getting a perspective from someone in a different industry,” said Graves. “It’s a great group of guys, and I’m so proud of all they’ve achieved and will achieve for years to come. They have so many people looking up to them and have a great responsibility both on and off the field, and I have no doubt they’ll continue holding themselves to a high standard and pursuing excellence in all they do.”

Kelce addressed his fellow tight ends in a fiery speech to embrace the love for playing what he considers the best position in football.

“The biggest thing I wanted to let all the tight ends here know is that we do have the best position on the field. It is the best. It is the best because we’re all in open arms. We’re all the most relatable guys. We’re all the plumber, the utility guy, the landscaper, the electrician. You need a guy. We are the guy, and that’s why I love playing tight end.” said Kelce. “So, if you guys are here, don’t be afraid, man. Don’t be afraid to have a beer. Don’t be afraid to shake a hand and ask a question. Ask your fellow guys across the league what they saw on a certain route or what they think about going into a game. Man, that’s why we’re here. We’re here to get better. We’re here to have a good time, baby. So fire the f*** up!”

Kelce, through his many activities, continues to advocate for his position group with another successful TEU summit.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott at TEU: Is he getting early start with his 2025 tight end?

From @ToddBrock24f7: Fans loved seeing Dak throwing at the tight end minicamp in Nashville. But could he be laying the groundwork with a new TE on a new team?

Social media clips out of Nashville this week showed Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott making a guest appearance at Tight End University, the three-day positional minicamp organized by Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Greg Olsen.

Tight ends past and present from around the league are taking part in the fourth annual event, and that includes Cowboys Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker. Their attendance was perhaps to be expected.

But Prescott showing up to not only share his insights about the QB-TE dynamic but then also act as the unofficial camp arm during passing drills was a pleasant surprise to Cowboys fans. Of all the passers in the league, their guy was the one asked to join in. Now they can revel in short Instagram videos about how Dak looks to be in tip-top physical shape, about how his throws have an impressive amount of zing on them, about how his timing with Ferguson already looks to be in midseason form.

But is there an ulterior motive to Prescott’s TEU cameo?

He is, after all, in the midst of some high-level contract drama currently. Entering the final year of his contract, he is staring down the barrel of a season of monumental personal significance. Either he will get what is expected to be a groundbreaking contract from the Cowboys that could net him a league-record $60 million per year… or he’ll test the water of free agency in 2025 and end up earning that much- or more- from some other club…

…Throwing to some other tight end.

So why not get in a few reps with the cream of the crop now?

Prescott spoke to the group at Vanderbilt earlier this week about how critical the tight end position is to the offense in today’s NFL.

“Tight ends,” he said in a video posted by ESPN’s Stephen Holder on Tuesday, “y’all gotta know the offense, every part of it. I would say, I challenge you: you’ve got the run game, pass protections, all that. The next step is truly knowing what your quarterback is thinking when he’s throwing you the ball, because you guys are a quarterback’s best friend.”

That’s certainly been the case during Prescott’s time in Dallas. Since he joined the team as a rookie in 2016, a tight end has been the second-most-targeted receiver in four of eight seasons and finished with the second-most receptions in five of eight.

Whether it’s been Ferguson, Dalton Schultz, Jason Witten, or even Blake Jarwin, Prescott leans heavily on his TE1 as a security blanket. He’s always been up for a few extra reps with each of them whenever possible, whether at The Star, in Oxnard, at a lakeside retreat in Georgia, or even on his backyard practice field during the offseason. Any little thing to give him the edge.

So if Prescott believes- or even merely suspects- he may be wearing a different uniform next season, it would be the most Dak-like thing ever for him to start laying the groundwork now with his next tight end, even if he has no idea who it will be.

…Daniel Bellinger? Sure, I met him at Tight End U. last summer, and we hit it off right away. Now we can just pick up where we left off…

…Pat Friermuth? Yeah, we developed a good connection over a couple days in Nashville at TEU, so it’s great we already knew each other…

…Foster Moreau? I loved getting to throw to him up at Vanderbilt; looking forward to taking things to the next level with him on the field…

Obviously, this is pure early-summer speculation, an admittedly depressing (for Cowboys fans) worst-case what-if that would simply vanish with word that Prescott and Jerry Jones are sitting down to finalize a new contract that keeps him in Dallas.

But in the meantime, Prescott putting himself out there by doing summer work with some of the best and brightest up-and-comers in the league certainly won’t hurt him in the long run.

…Hey, when you go back to your team and your QB is noodle-arming out-routes to you on a big third down or isn’t even looking your way with a divisional game on the line, you just remember who was dialing up lasers to you and telling you you’re the key to the offense back in June…

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Prescott says he’s not worried about the money right now. He maintains his focus is on football, and the rest will take care of itself.

Maybe being at Tight End University is simply a chance to have some offseason fun with other players, score some sweet swag, and bank a quick getaway with the missus in a super-fun city.

But make no mistake, Prescott’s high-profile appearance in Nashville this week as TEU’s resident JUGS machine is an extraordinarily shrewd football move.

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WATCH: Chiefs TE Travis Kelce breaks down route running strategy at TEU

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce’s on-field instruction at Tight End University offered some unique route-running comparisons to basketball and playing piano.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has his teacher hat on at the third annual Tight End University (TEU), which is underway at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennesse.

His on-field instruction during the course of the three-day summit was centered around leverage, releases and running routes against defenders in man coverage. He hones in on explaining the blend of putting your own spin on things to get open, but also the element of timing things up with your quarterback.

“In terms of gaining leverage in man coverage route running, I’m thinking a lot about being a ball carrier on a basketball court,” Kelce said. “Like, in between the legs, going here, going here. I’m trying to break hips and open up, break his hip and get past his level. Things like that.”

Kelce provided some unique comparisons in his instruction to relate to the crowd of NFL athletes. That includes a little tidbit from a current Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach.

“There was an NBA coach, Phil Handy, that was talking about, ‘You can downshift and you can look quicker than you actually are,'” Kelce continued. “A lot of guys, when they’re dribbling the basketball, it’s all just 100 miles per hour. It’s not real purposeful — it looks sweet — but it’s not real purposeful. If you can somehow find a way to  (appear) quicker, it’s more threatening to that defender. . . When you play with the actual tempo of your routes, that’s what I was talking about with the pianist. Making sure that you’re playing your own melody, but you’re on that QBs time.”

The multitalented NFL star certainly has a career in show business after he decides to hang up his cleats. However, these clips from TEU are a reminder that he probably could pick up a career in coaching as well.

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Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau check in from ‘Tight End University’

The Saints’ Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau checked in from ‘Tight End University’ where they’re learning from the best:

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NFL positional summits have begun trending in recent years, whether it’s Von Miller organizing workouts with pass rushers or offensive linemen gathering for seminars — or even tight ends mixing it up. Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Greg Olsen have created what they’re calling “Tight End University” as an opportunity to gather tight ends from around the league, both young and old, so they can share information and work to develop their craft.

And the New Orleans Saints were well-represented this year with both of their top two tight ends making the trip. Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau hit it off quickly when Moreau signed with the Saints as a free agent this offseason, and the pair checked in on social media to share their experience so far from the Nashville event.

“Sweating crazy, nothing better with my guy,” Johnson grinned.

Moreau echoed his teammate’s sentiments, thumping himself on the chest and replying “Nothing better.”

How snaps are divided up between them promises to be one of the top subplots of the summer for New Orleans. Johnson led all skills position players in snaps played for the Saints last year, but Moreau was a favorite target of Derek Carr’s with the Raiders and brings an established connection. There’s certainly room for both of them in the lineup, and we’ll get a better idea which roles are envisioned for each player when the Saints regroup for training camp later this year. Hopefully they’re picking up some tricks of the trade at TEU.

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Chiefs’ Travis Kelce wins TEU Tight End of the Year Award

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce was honored by his peers with the Tight End of the Year Award at the Tight End University Summit in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce was honored by his peers at the third annual Tight End University (TEU) summit in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 75 tight ends in attendance were polled in advance, naming one active NFL player among them as the TEU Tight End of the Year. Kelce, despite being one of the players putting on the event, was selected to receive the award.

Kelce gave a pretty epic speech accepting the award, poking fun at some of his detractors to get things started:

“So, I led the league in drops,” Kelce began. “I can’t really block well, but you know what, I have a lot of fun playing the tight end position man. I do, I love it. And this is quite the honor. I’m sure you guys turn on the film and a lot of you guys question a lot of the shit that I do out there. A lot of it is just playing hard with the guys next to me. That’s all I can really say. It has everything to do with the game of football, baby. So, shout out to the squad. Shout out to TEU and this is quite the honor, man. Cheers!”

Kelce led all NFL tight ends in receptions (110), yards (1,338) and touchdowns (12) in 2022. He also, of course, has a new piece of jewelry after winning Super Bowl LVII with Kansas City. Now, he’ll add a trophy to the cabinet, which should have plenty of sentimental value given who awarded it to him.

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Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen’s Tight End University returns for a third year

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, along with George Kittle and Greg Olsen, welcome NFL tight ends to Nashville, Tennessee today for the third annual Tight End University Summit.

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During the 2021 NFL offseason, Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce teamed up with San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle and retired NFL TE Greg Olsen to create Tight End University (TEU). The ultimate goal was to provide a space for players at the tight end position to learn from each other and continue to advance the position as a prominent part of the NFL game.

Their inaugural TEU summit was a smashing success, which led to a second summit last year with over 80 NFL tight ends in attendance. Now, the trio will put on a third event from June 20-22 in Nashville, Tennessee at Vanderbilt University.

According to Kittle, this year’s event will feature 75 NFL tight ends in attendance. Josh Allen, Trey Lance, CJ Beathard, Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens will be among the quarterbacks in attendance. They have some special guests in terms of NFL legends with Rob Gronkowski and Jordan Reed coming to help teach the younger players in attendance.

They’ll spend two of the three days in the classroom, going over everything from running routes to rest and recovery tips. They’ll also get out on the practice field for a day with some hands-on instruction in terms of technique and reading coverages.

Kelce spoke about mentorship and what’s ahead at TEU just last week:

“Oh man, I love it, man. We got the best tight end room in the league right now and it’s fun to be a part of just the grand scheme of things in terms of this offense and what it can do but coming to work and being around the tight end group, man, we got a fun group that just loves to play this game and wants to make plays no matter how they got to do it. Whether we’re blocking, whether we’re catching the ball down field or just finding a way to get somebody else open. And that’s the beauty of the tight end position is we’re pretty selfless and whatever you need we can do. The young guys, the guys that are kind of like still getting molded into this offense that you’ll see this year – any bit of advice I can give to anybody – and that’s kind of across the league – I’ll give nuggets of gold over here at Tight End U coming up next week or what I think are nuggets of gold (laughter). And it’ll be – I’m here to try to get everybody to be at their best and still got that confidence that what we do over here is always going to be, you know, number one.”

Head over to Tight End University’s Instagram page to find some information on the players across the NFL set to attend this week.

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Cowboys’ Jake Ferguson to attend Tight End University in June

From @ToddBrock24f7: The second-year TE will learn with and from the best at his position over the three-day event put on by George Kittle and Travis Kelce.

Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson will spend a few days this June learning with and from the best at the position as he embarks on his second pro season and bid to be the starting tight end in Dallas in 2023.

Ferguson has committed to attend Tight End University, the popular summit put on annually by NFL stars Travis Kelce and George Kittle, as well as former pro tight end-turned-broadcaster Greg Olsen. This will be the third year for the program, whose mission is “creating a space for players to learn from each other and continue to elevate the level of play at the position,” as per the official TEU website.

News of Ferguson’s attendance was confirmed in an Instagram post Wednesday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsooVrWpMwc/?hl=en

Last year’s TEU saw over 80 tight ends take part in a schedule that included classroom time as well as hands-on technique and strategy sessions. This summer’s program promises opportunities for invitees to “bond, collaborate with, and learn amongst their peers while participating in a variety of activities including film study, on-field drills, recovery, rehabilitation, and more.”

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Ex-Cowboy Dalton Schultz participated in TEU in both 2021 and 2022. At the time of writing, Noah Fant (Seahawks), Dallas Goedert (Eagles), Daniel Bellinger (Giants), Chig Okonkwo (Titans), and Pat Freiermuth (Steelers) have all confirmed they’ll be there this year. A full list of attendees has not yet been released.

Ferguson, the Cowboys’ fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin in 2022, caught 19 passes in his rookie season, amassing 174 receiving yards and scoring two touchdowns while playing on 37% of the offense’s snaps.

He’ll be jockeying for his place in Mike McCarthy’s new offense in Dallas alongside fellow second-year man Peyton Hendershot and second-round draft pick Jake Schoonmaker. No word yet on if either of them will also attend Tight End University.

TEU will be held June 20-22 in Nashville.

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LOOK: Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has his own ‘Kelce Light’ Bud Light cans

Bud Light has declared itself the official beer sponsor of Tight Ends everywhere and that includes #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is enjoying his offseason. He recently appeared on episodes of ABC’s “Holey Moley” and this week the star tight end is one of the organizers of the second annual Tight End University Summit in Nashville, Tennessee.

Bud Light is back at Tight End University for the second year as a sponsor of the event, but this time they declared themselves the “Official Beer Sponsor of Tight Ends.” A press release says they’ve furthered their commitment to the position with the goal of “helping ensure tight ends get the respect they deserve – on and off the field.”

As a result, they’ve given each of Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen some custom tall cans of Bud Light, with “Kelce Light, Kittle Light, and Olsen Light” inscribed on them.

Check it out:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bud Light (@budlight)

You can win personalized Kelce merchandise via Bud Light and Pins & Aces Golf Co. by following the instructions in the Instagram post from Bud Light linked above. Let us know what you think about the custom “Kelce Light” cans in the comment section down below.

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Jags’ Evan Engram to attend Tight End University this month

Evan Engram will be keeping himself busy during the Jags’ upcoming break and will be heading to this year’s TEU with many of the league’s top pass-catchers.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had at least one player (Chris Manhertz) attend last season’s Tight End University meeting hosted by Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Greg Olsen. This season, they will have at least one player in attendance again in free-agent addition Evan Engram, who signed with the Jags on March 16.

The event’s official Twitter page confirmed that he’d be attending this year as it is set to take place from June 22 to 24 at Vanderbilt University.

(Note: The school they meant to tag was Ole Miss)

The event is one where several of the league’s top tight ends will meet to learn techniques from each other to help improve their craft on the field. Other notables who will attend include Mike Gesicki, Kyle Pitts, and Dalton Knox, to name a few.

It’s good to see that Engram will be using his time off before training camp well as he will get to learn a thing or two from the top players at the tight end position. That’s important because the Jags are undoubtedly expecting big things from him and are hoping he can be their TE1 heading forward.

Jaguars backup quarterback C.J. Beathard was also supposed to attend to help with workouts, but that seems unlikely now that he sustained a groin injury in organized team activities this week.

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