NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Anticipation had been building throughout the day and now the time had come.
Finally, the group of NFL stars descended on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville’s West End in front of a few hundred guests. Necks craned and cameras clicked as familiar faces appeared.
You might expect this level of excitement for quarterbacks or wide receivers, the type of players teams display on billboards. Instead, this was the start of Day 2 of Tight End University (TEU), the fourth annual gathering conceived by former Pro Bowler Greg Olsen and current San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle.
This week’s version attracted the largest group of attendees, with more than 70 tight ends and quarterbacks showing up to mentor, learn, work and grow. The tight end position now boasts some of the biggest names in the game, and few NFL players can claim a higher profile than Kansas City Chiefs star assistant Travis Kelce.
But regardless of a player’s status, there was something to be gained for veterans and those struggling to make a name for themselves.
Evan Engram of the Jacksonville Jaguars, entering his eighth season, has attended every year and said attending continues to pay off.
“As my game has grown over the last four years, it’s always great to come back and hear different tidbits and a different perspective on how guys view the game,” said Engram, who made his second Pro Bowl in 2023. It’s been brilliant.”
Engram showed off his level of experience when Olsen asked him during Tuesday’s on-field workouts to add insight, giving the group tips on how to get out of their route-running breaks.
The event is part soccer clinic and part retreat. TEU’s corporate sponsors held a welcome reception Monday night followed by a concert and party at the Brooklyn Bowl on Tuesday. Families are welcome and a large dose of free gifts and good food are staples.
But when the players took the field to get to work, the depth of talent available became obvious. During a moment during individual drills, Kelce took reps flanked by Engram on one side and 2023 rookie sensation Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions on the other. On the opposite end of the field, Kittle participated in drills alongside the Dallas Cowboys‘ Jake Ferguson, who stood out with 71 receptions in his second season in 2023.
The Cowboys’ Dak Prescott led the quarterbacks available to throw to tight ends, and the three-time Pro Bowl selection at one point challenged players to go beyond their current roles by improving their understanding of the game.
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“As a tight end, you have to know the offense, every part of it,” he said. “Running game, pass protection, all that. The next step is to really know what your quarterback is thinking… You’re a quarterback’s best friend.”
Education continued at other times. Olsen coached players on how to make more efficient throws off the line of scrimmage. Former Indianapolis Colts great Dallas Clark worked with LaPorta and others to create separation at the top of routes.
There was enthusiasm from everyone involved, from Olsen and the quarterbacks to some of the younger tight ends who participated. That attitude extended to the series of flag football games in which players competed with players from local high school girls’ teams. Clark did a good amount of training during flag games, looking just as intense as he did during his playing days.
But the main goal of this event was for players to leave better than when they arrived. With the valuable lessons taught, it was not difficult to imagine.
“There are two types of players that play tight ends in the league,” Olsen said. “There are guys that coaches have to open up to. … Then there are other guys that can open up.”
The hope was that TEU would help players become the ultimate.
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