By Adam Aniba
This years tight end draft class offers prospects that bring a variety of skill-sets to the table. In saying that, finding tight ends who can be receiving threats and serviceable blockers is no easy task.
Colorado State tight end Dallin Holker took an unconventional path to the NFL Draft, but nonetheless had a career year in 2023 and is ready for the big stage.
Dallin Holker
6'3" 241 lbs | TE | CSU
Proj Late 3rd Rd
BYU Stats (28 games)- 42 rec 521 yds and 3 TDs (12.4 avg)
2023Â (12 games)- 64 rec 767 yds and 6 TDs (12.0 avg)
Background
Dallin Holker grew up in Lehi, Utah and played football for Lehi High School. During his senior season at wide receiver he recorded 97 receptions for 1,766 yards receiving and 22 touchdowns (2nd most in state history). He accomplished those milestones while missing two games as a senior.
In 2017 he averaged 147.2 yards per game receiving and earned the Desert News 5A MVP and led his team to a state title
Holker committed to BYU for the 2018 season. As a freshman he was moved to tight end (active in 13 games) starting 4 games and recorded 19 receptions for 235 yards and 1 touchdown.
Holker spent 2019 and 2020 seasons in Vina del Mar, Chile for his Mormon mission.
Fast forward to 2022 in which Holker only played in 3 games due to an ankle injury, registering 86 yards and 1 touchdown. Through his career at BYU the tight end recorded 521 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns.
Holker made the decision to transfer to Colorado state for the 2023 season and made an immediate impact. He finished the season with 767 receiving yards for 6 touchdowns and a rushing TD with a 12.0 yard per catch average.
Holker was named team captain and a John Mackey Award Finalist (award for nations best college TE). In addition, the Rams tight end was named 1st Team All-Mountain West and 2nd Team All-American by ESPN, USA Today and SI among other outlets.
PROS
Impressive catch radius with the ability to extend for tough receptions
Long-strider that displays decent ability to create separation despite having below average timed speed for the position
Route-running is NFL ready
A redzone threat most notably in 50/50 situations
Effective in-line blocker displaying textbook technique in run/pass pro
CONS
Despite 5 seasons removed from high school, statistical production is lacking
Timed speed will drop him down draft boards (4.78 combine forty-yard dash)
Although has a deep understanding of route tree concepts, needs to be more decisive out of his breaks
Not much of a threat after the catch, doesn't posses a 2nd gear
Needs to get stronger (lower-body) for the NFL grind
Outlook
Holker had a career moment last October, when he was on the receiving end of a Hail Mary vs Boise State that tied the game with only seconds remaining in regulation. The touchdown by the Rams tight end was followed by an extra point for the victory. It was the schools first ever win over the Broncos.
The Rams tight end had a career season after transferring to CSU and was hard to stop when matched up 1-on-1 in the redzone last season. Some evalautors even beleive he could contribute as a fullback on the next level.
The slow combine time (4.78 sec forty) didn't do Holker any favors, but his 3-cone drill was 2nd among tight ends (6.83 seconds) and most importantly his 20-yard shuttle was also 2nd among tight ends. Those are the events that translate to the next level.
Although the Rams tight end won't outrun NFL defenisve backs and linebackers, he's a load to bring down. Holker has the ability to be an excellent safety blanket, that opens up the middle of the filed in the receiving game.
Lack of career production will keep Holker out of the first two rounds along with timed speed, but if available late in round 3 he would represent excellent value for tight end needy teams.
*GAMES WATCHED*
9/16/23 vs Colorado, 9/30 vs Utah Tech, 10/7 vs Utah St., 10/14/23 vs Boise St. & 11/11 vs San Diego St.
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