Texas A&M has had just 11 tight ends drafted to the NFL in program history. Martellus Bennett’s selection in the second round over 13 years ago remains the highest an Aggies tight end has been drafted. After breaking Bennett’s Texas A&M TE touchdown record, Jalen Wydermyer heads to the 2022 NFL Draft with the potential to surpass another of his achievements. Can Wydermyer break into the first round? Let’s check out his scouting report and find out!
Jalen Wydermyer NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Tight End
- School: Texas A&M
- Current Year: Junior
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 255 pounds
Jalen Wydermyer Scouting Report
Texas A&M TE Wydermyer is one of the most physically well-put-together prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’5″ and 255 pounds, he is an imposing physical specimen. His size is a valuable asset in multiple ways on the football field, as we’ll detail in this scouting report.
His size gives him a natural advantage as a receiver. Wydermyer is a dangerous threat at all three levels of the field and can make tough catches in traffic over the middle using his thick frame. Furthermore, he is an obvious red-zone threat. The Texas A&M TE can pluck the ball from over the head of defensive backs in the end zone. Although his height helps in this regard, he also has excellent length, giving him an impressive catch radius. Wydermyer demonstrates strong, reliable hands, enhancing his ability as a pass catcher.
Wydermyer’s size and physical profile assist him in a valuable element of tight end play. The Aggie is willing and able as a blocker. Although he wasn’t required to get involved with the dirty work at the high school level, he’s seen a large percentage of blocking snaps during his two years in College Station. He has experience in pass protection and run blocking, with the latter also showcasing two other areas where he excels.
Wydermyer exhibits stellar football intelligence while run blocking. He is always looking for work, identifying targets, and working out to the second level to take on linebackers. He does so while displaying tremendous speed for his size. This athleticism is also apparent as a field-stretching vertical threat. Moreover, Wydermyer’s athleticism allows him to display superb route-running skills.
Areas for improvement
Having praised his willingness and ability as a blocker, this is an area where Wydermyer needs to improve.
He’s shown impressive development between his freshman and sophomore campaigns, but there is still some way to go from a technical standpoint. The Texas A&M TE needs to demonstrate that he can consistently use angles to seal off running lanes downfield. There are also improvements he can make with hand usage when blocking.
Although he is physically imposing, Wydermyer would benefit from adding a little upper-body strength. This would further aid his improvement as a blocker.
Wydermyer’s Player Profile
Although he enters the upcoming college football season as one of the top tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class, Wydermyer was viewed as “just” a big-bodied wide receiver early in his high school career. Even at the high school level, the Dickinson native possessed an impressive frame. However, playing for a team that didn’t require him to block, it was his pass-catching prowess that set him apart.
During his high school career, Wydermyer compiled an impressive statistical résumé, tallying 87 catches, 1,623 yards, and 20 touchdowns. 875 yards and 10 touchdowns came in a senior season where he was named the District 24-6A Offensive MVP. Furthermore, the imposing pass catcher was a finalist for the Houston Area UIL Offensive Player of the Year awarded by the Touchdown Club of Houston.
A four-star recruit by 247 Sports, Wydermyer was ranked as a top-50 player in Texas and the 15th-best tight end in the 2019 recruiting class. His pass-catching ability and dominant physical profile earned the attention of college football programs both in Texas and across the nation. As a result, Wydermyer received over 20 offers, including Miami, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. Following a visit to College Station, he made up his mind.
“Texas A&M showed me around campus, showed me everything they have to offer, and showed me what they can do with me in the offense.”
Wydermyer’s career at Texas A&M
It wouldn’t take long for Wydermyer to show the Aggies what he could do in their offense. The Texas A&M TE made an immediate impact as a freshman. He secured his first reception in his debut against Texas State. Just one week later, against reigning national champions Clemson, Wydermyer snagged his first college touchdown.
It was the first of six in his true-freshman season, including 2 TDs against Alabama. Despite being his first season in college football, the Texas A&M TE led the team in touchdowns and tallied 447 receiving yards from 32 catches. Wydermyer impressed his coaches, earning the team’s Offensive Newcomer Award. Furthermore, he earned SEC All-Freshman and second-team All-SEC honors.
Even though he’s set a high bar as a true freshman, Wydermyer continued to raise it as a sophomore. Starting all 10 games, he once again led the team with 6 touchdowns while registering 506 receiving yards. The Texas product set a career-high 8 catches in multiple games, while his 92 receiving yards against Arkansas will stand as a career-high measuring stick heading into his junior season.
Continued production in 2020
Wydermyer registered three games with multiple touchdown scores in 2020. A pair of scores against the Auburn Tigers took him past the Texas A&M TE record set by Bennett and Jace Sternberger. Once considered just a big wide receiver, Wydermyer was recognized as one of the nation’s top tight ends as a finalist for the John Mackey Award. The sophomore sensation also earned second-team All-SEC honors.
Despite suffering a finger injury that required surgery over the spring, Wydermyer heads into the upcoming college football season as one of the top tight ends in the nation. Additionally, he has the talent to be the first tight end selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Tony Pauline’s scouting report for Jalen Wydermyer
Positives: Talented tight end who is much more athletic than his computer numbers would lend one to believe. Easily moves about the field and displays good route recognition. Finds the clearing on the field, adjusts to errant throws, and grabs passes away from his frame.
Tracks the ball in the air, gets downfield, and makes the reception in stride. Displays terrific eye/hand coordination, effectively runs crossing patterns, and possesses sneaky speed. Quickly gets in and out of breaks and stays low on exit. Possesses soft and strong hands. Works to pick up yardage after the catch. Gives effort blocking.
Negatives: Does not consistently block with leverage and gets upright. Displays average blocking strength. Had too many lapses last season and dropped too many catchable throws.
Analysis: Wydermyer was considered a first-round prospect coming into the season, but he showed too much inconsistency in 2021 and never elevated his game. At times, he displays himself to be a dominant No. 1 tight end. Nonetheless, on too many occasions, he looks rather ordinary.
Wydermyer has been characterized by many scouts as immature and his play showed it last season. But he comes with tremendous upside and could start in the NFL if he applies himself.