Overview

Productive but not flashy in an NFL-style offense at Notre Dame. He can make the tough catch and gives top effort, assets that could see him come off the board in the first two rounds.

Graduated from Litchfield (Minn.) High School ... ranked 19th on the Detroit Free-Press 20-player Best of the Midwest team ... named to the 10-member Super Preps team by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune ... a four-year starter at tight end ... a three-time all-conference selection and two-time all-state honoree ... caught 41 passes, seven for TDs, for 471 yards as senior in 2002 ... made 79 tackles and two sacks at defensive end ... career totals included 95 catches for 1,331 yards and 23 TDs ... rushing stats were 133 attempts for 493 yards and seven TDs, while also returning kicks ... totaled 30 TDs in his career and scored 194 points ... had 200 career tackles, including 96 solos ... played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio ... starting center in basketball who helped team compile a 114-8 record during his career while winning the Minnesota Class 2A state title three times.

Named first-team all-state as a senior, honorable mention as a junior and second team as a sophomore ... finished his prep basketball career with 1,676 points, 974 rebounds and 412 assists ... was a McDonald's preseason All-American in basketball as a senior ... conference MVP as a junior and senior and was a four-time all-conference and all-area selection ... played in the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game ... also played tennis, helping his team reach the state finals as a junior ... finished with a career record of 106-22 playing No. 1 doubles ... three-time all-conference selection in tennis ... two-time participant in the individual state tennis tournament and four-time letterman.

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Analysis

Positives: Has good size and is a complete tight end. ... Can block and get open down the seam. ... Quick off the snap and blocks with a purpose. ... Keeps a square frame and can seal the edge or get to linebackers. ... Smooth adjusting to off-target throws. ... Reliable route runner. ... Has build-up speed.

Negatives: He's not Jeremy Shockey or Vernon Davis athletically, but he's not a complete slouch. ... Could be stronger. ... Was prone to drops and lapses in concentration. ... Has long arms and decent strength, but tries to block with his shoulders and loses leverage.

Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.

Q & A

Growing up, who was your favorite NFL player and why?

Cris Carter, because I was a big vikings fan when I was growing up.

In college, what player hit you the hardest? Who was the recipient of your best hit?

Roy Mauluga from USC hit me the hardest; An Ohio State kickoff coverage player was the recipient of my hardest hit.

What TV-show marathon will keep you on the couch all day?

CSI: Miami.

What are the five most-played songs in your iPod? What's the one song you hope nobody ever finds out is in your iPod?

Rockstar- Nickelback, Do you feel like I do - Peter Frampton, Alive - Pearl Jam, No Leaf Clover - Matallica, Jackson - Johnny Cash; Fidelity - Regina Spektor.

What celebrity would play you in the movie version of your life and why?

John Cena because we look alike.

What is one thing your teammates don't know about you?

I played tennis in high school.

What reality TV show would you like to be on and why?

Survivor, because it is physically challenging.

What's your proudest moment in football? Proudest moment off the field?

Being selected by my teammates as captain in the 2007 season; Getting engaged.

When you play Madden, what team do you use? Do you put yourself on the team?

The Patriots; No.

Who has been the biggest influence on your football career and how?

My dad has been the biggest influence on my career because he has taught me the strong work ethic that is required to succeed in both football and life.