Tag: Tight end University

Chiefs TE Noah Gray to attend Tight End University later this month

#Chiefs TE Noah Gray won’t be missing this year’s @te_university summit.

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Travis Kelce won’t be the only Kansas City Chiefs tight end in attendance at the second Tight End University summit in Nashville, Tennessee later this month.

Last year, Chiefs TE Noah Gray took some criticism from the fanbase after he didn’t attend the inaugural summit. The reality is that Gray was double-booked, hosting a youth football camp in his hometown during the same weekend that the summit took place.

This time around, Gray isn’t double-booked. He’ll be in attendance as the best tight ends in the league gather to learn and share tricks of the trade. The Tight End University Twitter account has slowly been revealing some of the players who have RSVP’d to the event.

Kelce is again hosting this year’s Tight End University alongside George Kittle and Greg Olsen. He spoke a bit about the event at Chiefs OTAs in late May.

“To be honest, man, I don’t even see it as mentorship for me,” Kelce said. “I’m like a little kid at Tight End U, man. It’s just so much fun being around guys that are all working for the same thing. We’re all trying to do the same thing. We’re all trying to get better at the same craft. It’s fun just passing around the knowledge that I have, but also absorbing everybody else’s stories, what they’ve been through in their journey’s. Hopefully we get some new faces to speak this year and it’s going to be a blast, I already know it is. It was last year, and I’m pretty sure everybody is pumped for it again this year.”

Asked specifically about whether Gray and Jody Fortson would be in attendance this year, Kelce deferred to the players saying that both were invited. We have confirmation on Gray, but now we await word on Fortson.

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At least one Dolphin heading to George Kittle’s Tight End University

This will be his second year in attendance.

All of the participants have yet to be announced for George Kittle, Greg Olsen and Travis Kelce’s Tight End University program in Nashville, Tennessee, but we know at least one Miami Dolphin will be in attendance.

The event’s social media account posted this week that Mike Gesicki would be participating. This is the second year of the program, and it’s the second year that Miami’s top tight end will be there.

TE U, as it’s been called, is a three-day event where a number of talented players at the position gather to share their tricks of the trade with each other with the hopes that the position will continue to get better and receive more recognition leaguewide.

This year, the tight ends will work out at Vanderbilt University from June 22-24.

Olsen and Kittle mentioned earlier this week on the “Pardon My Take” podcast that they want to have more tight ends present this year than did in 2021. With that said, there’s a chance that other Dolphins receive the invite, as Durham Smythe, Adam Shaheen, Hunter Long and Cethan Carter could all benefit from working with some of the best in the game at the position.

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Jags QB C.J. Beathard set to join George Kittle and several others at TEU in June

C.J. Beathard will be joining his former Iowa and San Francisco 49ers teammate, George Kittle, for this year’s Tight End University event with many other notable players.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently in the second phase of their offseason workout program, which means one phase will remain before they take a break before training camp. However, as we’ve seen in recent years, many players find some way to remain busy when it comes to preparing for the season.

Players from around the league typically use the downtime before training camp to join players from around the league who play the same positions for what is labeled as “university” events. That will be the case for the tight end position as notables like George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and several others are in the process of putting together a Tight End University in Nashville for next month. And while it isn’t known if any Jags tight ends will be attending, there will be at least one player representing the team in quarterback C.J. Beathard.

In a recent interview with Pro Football Talk, Kittle told NFL journalist Mike Florio that Beathard would be one of the quarterbacks attending alongside Nick Mullens, Trey Lance, and possibly Zach Wilson and Josh Allen.

“I’ve got three [quarterbacks] confirmed for you,” Kittle said. “I’ve got my guy, C.J. Beathard. I’ve got my guy, Nick Mullens. I’ve got my guy, Trey Lance. He’s coming down to TEU. … Zach Wilson is at about 99 percent. He’s trying to decide if he wants to come back from Cabo or not. I was like, ‘Zach, you’re going to come back from Cabo.’ … And then the last one I’m working on: Josh Allen is trying to see if he can make it work.”

[H/T to 49erswebzone.com for this quote]

Kittle and Beathard attended the University of Iowa together from 2012-16. Both ended up being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 and were teammates there until 2020. The Jags then signed Beathard in 2021, and he’s been their QB2 since.

Last year, Jags tight end Chris Manhertz attended the tight end gathering after signing with the Jags last Spring. It’s unknown if he, Evan Engram, or any other Jags tight ends will attend, but it shouldn’t be long before the list is revealed.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce’s Tight End University returning this June

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen’s @te_university will hold its second annual summit in June of 2022.

Last offseason, Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce teamed up with George Kittle and Greg Olsen to create Tight End University.

Their inaugural summit was a smashing success, with over 50 NFL tight ends in attendance to collaborate and learn from each other. Today, the trio announced that Tight End University (TEU) presented by Charmin will be returning for its second year in Nashville, Tennessee in June of 2022.

“Tight ends stick together,” said Kelce, via press release. “It’s awesome to bring the current generation of tight ends together with legends from the past generation to be able to pick their brains. There are always ways to improve as a player and this is a unique opportunity to be in the same room with the most talented individuals to ever play the position and learn from them.”

In addition to current NFL tight ends, TEU also plans to invite several retired legends as coaches this year. The goal is to provide attendees with the invaluable opportunity to learn from some of the best tight ends to ever play the game. Does that mean Chiefs fans could see former players like Tony Gonzalez and Jason Dunn joining Kelce in Nashville?

“We’re excited to bring back TEU for a second consecutive year,” said Kittle, via press release. “The demand was high last year and the consensus among attendees was overwhelmingly positive. We look forward to making this an annual tradition for the best professional tight ends across the country to come together, learn from one another and have a great time in the process.”

Tight ends who are in attendance will get a chance to participate in a variety of activities including film study, on-field drills, recovery, rehabilitation, and more. The goal is for everyone to bond, collaborate and collectively improve the position group across the NFL.

“TEU was a big hit last year and we’re looking forward to building on that success in 2022,” said Olsen, via press release. “There are many different factors that go into playing the position, so having individuals with different skill sets in the same room presents a unique opportunity for players to improve different areas of their game.”

TEU will continue to collaborate with partners like Charmin, Bridgestone, Bud Light, and Levi’s, with hopes of continued growth for the event. They’ll also collaborate together to help support the Nashville community. For instance, TEU and Bridgestone plan to invite kids from The Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee to attend and participate in drills with some of their favorite football players from June 22-24.

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News: David DeCastro, Nick Foles as Cowboys? Zack Martin’s rank? Herschel runs again?

Nick Foles as a possible trade target, NFL cheerleaders find themselves in an uncertain time. All this and more in Cowboys News and Notes.

The big guys up front lead the pack in this edition of News and Notes. Many are wondering if the six-time Pro Bowler recently released by Pittsburgh is worth a look in Dallas. This comes just as the Cowboys’ own perennial Pro Bowl guard is revealed to be in rarefied air among NFL players. And the need for depth along the O-line is leading one Cowboys scribe to scour other team’s rosters for trade targets.

Elsewhere, a Super Bowl MVP is mentioned as a possible backup to Dak Prescott, a spot of considerable concern for one ESPN writer. There’s linebacker talk as one current star looks to return to form while a rising star calls to mind more than one Cowboys great. Dalton Schultz spent the weekend getting tips from the league’s best tight ends, and Kelvin Joseph vows he’ll be ready for opening day. Emmitt Smith leads the charge in vaccination efforts, Herschel Walker may be running again (for office), and NFL cheerleaders find themselves in a uncertain time. All that, plus a farewell to a former team staffer.

WATCH: Behind-the-scenes look at Tight End University

Tight End University, put together in part by 49ers TE George Kittle, was a huge success according to a video released by the NFL.

49ers tight end George Kittle was an integral cog in the formation of the inaugural Tight End University – a summit for tight ends to work together and improve during the down-period of the NFL offseason.

Kittle, along with Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and recently-retired TE Greg Olsen helped put together the workouts for 49 NFL tight ends in Nashville, Tenn.

A few videos from the sessions surfaced, but the NFL posted a longer behind-the-scenes look at what went on at TEU both on and off the field. While the summit was for NFL tight ends, the group also helped out the local Boys and Girls Club and offered youth activities.

Kittle hasn’t been afraid to help lead the charge to get more recognition for his position, and the first ever TEU was a rousing success. He told ESPN he was anticipating around 20 players showing up. It wound up landing at 49, and the goal according to Kittle is to expand the event going forward.

In a time when the tight end position is becoming a more valuable weapon in NFL offenses, an annual offseason session like this one could be helpful across the league.

LOOK: Bears TE Cole Kmet puts in work at Tight End University summit

Bears TE Cole Kmet was among a handful of young tight ends that attended the Tight End University summit over the weekend.

Following an encouraging rookie season, Bears tight end Cole Kmet is gearing up for a potential breakout season in 2021.

And learning from some of the league’s best, including Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen should only help the young tight end, whose already gotten to work closely with one of the game’s best in Jimmy Graham during his rookie season.

Kmet was among a handful of young tight ends that attended the Tight End University summit over the weekend, where he got to learn from tight ends across the league, including Kelce, Kittle and Olsen.

Pictures have surfaced from over the weekend, including these photos of Kmet putting some work in whole Kittle looks on.

Kmet has been one of the standout players from the offseason program, where he’s been taking on a bigger role particularly as a pass-catching tight end. Graham has seen firsthand how Kmet grew as a rookie, and his arrow is only pointed up.

“He’s just a pro, the way he handles himself and the way he works,” Graham said. “He’s in there all the time, getting bigger, getting stronger, completely focused. He never rests on his laurels. He’s going to give 100 percent effort all the time on everything he does. He’s just a special kid.

“For him, there’s truly no ceiling. He can be as good as he wants to be. I’m excited to be a part of that, to help him get there and to win some games with him. He has a bright future and it’s been special to be able to help him do that.”

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Jags’ Chris Manhertz among players attending Tight End University summit

With some downtime until training camp, Jaguars TE Chris Manhertz spent the last few days attending the NFL’s Tight End University summit.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were pretty much guaranteed to add some help at the tight end position during free agency and did so by signing veteran Chris Manhertz. And while many expected him to be more so of a blocking tight end, he was one of the players the media praised as a receiver during organized team activities, making him an intriguing player to watch when training camp arrives.

To remain occupied in the meantime, Manhertz was one of many players to attend this year’s Tight End University summit, which is hosted by some of the NFL’s best players like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and retired tight end, Greg Olsen. Of course, like many positional summits, it’s one where tight ends around the league gather to pick each other’s minds, bringing together both veterans and rookies. 

Manhertz could have a nice-sized role with the Jags and the team could also look to get him more involved than he was at Carolina as a receiver (142 career receiving yards). Right now it appears he has a good chance to be near the top of the depth chart behind James O’Shaughnessy, who is the team’s most experienced receiving tight end.

Kyle Pitts learning from NFL’s best at Tight End University summit

Pitts will learn from some of the NFL’s best tight ends at Tight Ends University summit.

The Atlanta Falcons looked to be focusing on talent over need with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, selecting tight end Kyle Pitts out of the University of Florida. But now that Julio Jones is out of the picture, the decision to draft Pitts makes a lot more sense.

Atlanta will look to the 6-foot-6, 245-pound rookie to help carry the load offensively, with Calvin Ridley stepping in as the team’s No. 1 receiver.

Aside from Ridley, Pitts is currently learning from other NFL greats as he attends the Tight End University summit, a three-day event in Nashville created by Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen. Pitts joined a huge list of veteran players from around the league at the start of the summit on Wednesday.

Pitts projects to be the next great receiving tight end, but the expectation for him to be an instant-impact player may be slightly unrealistic. First-year tight ends have struggled historically and the position generally takes a few years to get acclimated to the NFL.

At the same time, once you see the potential matchup nightmare the rookie presents — particularly in the red zone — it’s easy to get carried away with Pitts’ upside.

The Tight End University summit wraps up on Friday.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes wants an invite to next year’s Tight End University summit

The #Chiefs’ quarterback knows a thing or two about throwing to the best tight end in football.

Kansas City Chiefs tight ends Travis Kelce and Blake Bell are in Nashville, Tennesee with for the inaugural Tight End University summit.

The three-day summit runs from Wednesday, June 23 through Friday, June 25th. The first of its kind, the summit is an opportunity that will allow the leagues best at the tight end position to collaborate, mingle, exchange ideas and more. They’ll get a chance to hit the field, do some film work and even run a charity camp for the Boys & Girls Club. A total of 49 tight ends make up the inaugural Tight End University class.

While Kelce and Bell are in attendance, there’s one Chiefs player on the outside looking in who wished he’d received an invite. No, we’re not talking about Nick Keizer or rookie TE Noah Gray, we’re talking about Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. The superstar QB took to Twitter to let everyone know that he wants an invite to next year’s event.

Mahomes probably won’t bring much to the table as a receiving tight end, as his career there has been pretty abysmal.

He does know a thing or two about throwing passes to the best tight end in football, though. Since 2018, Mahomes and Kelce have combined for 305 receptions for just under 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. That’s more than any tight end-quarterback combination during that span. That experience with Kelce certainly could prove beneficial to a group of players that aspire to have that type of success.

Thankfully for Mahomes, he knows one of the co-organizers of the event pretty well. If he truly wants to be a part of the second Tight End University class, Kelce should be able to make that happen.

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