BOWLING GREEN — After a record-breaking season on the gridiron, Harold Fannin, Jr., is taking his remarkable football talents to the next level.
The Bowling Green State University star tight end announced on his Instagram page on Monday that he is declaring for the 2025 NFL draft. Fannin thanked his BGSU teammates and coaches, his former coach at Canton McKinley High School, and his family in the post, adding that “it has been a blessing to call Bowling Green State University home over the past three years.”
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior recently completed the best receiving campaign by a tight end in FBS history after his performance in the 68 Ventures Bowl against Arkansas State.
Fannin broke six FBS tight end records, including receptions in a season (117), receptions per game for a season (nine), receiving yards in a season (1,555), and receiving yards per game for a season (119.6). He had 17 receptions for 213 yards in BGSU’s 38-31 bowl game loss to Arkansas State; both were FBS tight end records for a bowl game, and his reception total also tied the FBS tight end record for a game overall.
Fannin’s season receptions and yardage totals currently rank first among all players in the FBS. His 10 receiving touchdowns rank tied for 13th.
The first consensus All-American in BGSU football history, Fannin was also named the Mid-American Conference player of the year and offensive player of the year. It marked the first time in FBS history that a tight end was named a league’s player of the year and just the second time a tight end was named a league offensive player of the year.
Fannin was a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation’s top tight end, and a semifinalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding receiver. He was the only tight end in the country to be a semifinalist for both awards this season.
The two-time first-team All-MAC selection finished his three-year BGSU career (36 games) with 180 receptions, 2,396 yards, and 17 touchdowns. He also added 159 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 33 carries.
Fannin likely will be one of the top tight ends taken in the NFL draft. According to the latest Pro Football Focus’ 2025 NFL Draft Big Board, Fannin is ranked as the No. 80 player overall and the sixth-best tight end.
First Published December 30, 2024, 8:03 p.m.
