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- Feb 22, 2018
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What’s new? Another UM tight end looks to find his way on an NFL roster on draft day. Christopher Herndon looks to add to the lineage at Tight End U. In his four years at Miami, Herndon consistently improved from year to year. The athletic tight end was having a solid senior year hauling in 4 TD’s on 40 catches and 477 yards, until his year was cut a bit short with a season ending MCL injury. Herndon fits the mold as the new age tight end that is comfortable in space and was one of our more reliable receiving threats last year. Herndon looks to join former Norcross High School (GA) alums like Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara, Brice Butler and current draft class mate Lorenzo Carter as they continue the pipeline from Gwinnett County to the national football league.
Pre-Draft Measurables
HEIGHT- 6' 4"
Weight- 253 lbs
Arms- 32 7/8”
Hands- 9 1/4”
Strengths
Progression
Herndon waited his turn throughout his years at Miami behind the likes of Clive Walford and David Njoku. He was able to show steady progress from his freshman to senior year. This is a reflection of his ability to be coached and willingness to improve himself. NFL teams will look at Herndon’s steady ascension in his time with Coach Hartley as a huge plus.
Smooth athlete
Herndon’s 6’4” frame is prototypical for today’s NFL at the tight end position. The former high school wide out is a smooth strider who is comfortable being flexed out as well as lining up in the H position. He showed this past year that he is more than capable with the ball in his hands. Consistently making the first guy miss, Herndon is capable to take it the distance and bang his head on the goal post as he showed on his 43 yard scamper down the sideline against Virginia Tech. Herndon could be an effective receiving threat right now in the NFL.
Weaknesses
End line blocking
Herndon often doesn’t play to his size in run blocking. He often times struggled at the point of attack. Herndon showed the aggression and willingness to block at times but still seems a bit raw in that facet of the game. He was very effective blocking on the outside against smaller defensive backs and linebackers but wasn’t the most imposing force on the interior. While his four years at Miami taught him a lot about the position, as I mentioned before Herndon was a high school tight end. Therefore, he is still continuing to hone is craft in this area of his game.
Not so soft hands
Herndon showed inconsistencies with his hands catching the ball. He often caught the ball close to his body or even with his body at times. I like to say, he let the ball eat him up. Again, he did improve on this at Miami, but if being an athletic receiving tight end is going to be his calling card, he is going to have to show that he is more comfortable catching the ball with his hands in tight spaces.
Draft Projection- 5th round
Herndon’s athleticism and frame are undeniable. This all but guarantees his shot at an NFL roster. Right now, he will be a developmental project with explosive upside in the pass game. He will have to put on some more weight and strength to become a consistent endline blocker if he wants to be an every down player in the NFL. In a more spread out game where coaches are trying to get the best athletes on the field, it is hard to think that Herndon will not find a home in the NFL. Let’s see what kind of story Herndon can add to the great history of Tight End U.
Pre-Draft Measurables
HEIGHT- 6' 4"
Weight- 253 lbs
Arms- 32 7/8”
Hands- 9 1/4”
Strengths
Progression
Herndon waited his turn throughout his years at Miami behind the likes of Clive Walford and David Njoku. He was able to show steady progress from his freshman to senior year. This is a reflection of his ability to be coached and willingness to improve himself. NFL teams will look at Herndon’s steady ascension in his time with Coach Hartley as a huge plus.
Smooth athlete
Herndon’s 6’4” frame is prototypical for today’s NFL at the tight end position. The former high school wide out is a smooth strider who is comfortable being flexed out as well as lining up in the H position. He showed this past year that he is more than capable with the ball in his hands. Consistently making the first guy miss, Herndon is capable to take it the distance and bang his head on the goal post as he showed on his 43 yard scamper down the sideline against Virginia Tech. Herndon could be an effective receiving threat right now in the NFL.
Weaknesses
End line blocking
Herndon often doesn’t play to his size in run blocking. He often times struggled at the point of attack. Herndon showed the aggression and willingness to block at times but still seems a bit raw in that facet of the game. He was very effective blocking on the outside against smaller defensive backs and linebackers but wasn’t the most imposing force on the interior. While his four years at Miami taught him a lot about the position, as I mentioned before Herndon was a high school tight end. Therefore, he is still continuing to hone is craft in this area of his game.
Not so soft hands
Herndon showed inconsistencies with his hands catching the ball. He often caught the ball close to his body or even with his body at times. I like to say, he let the ball eat him up. Again, he did improve on this at Miami, but if being an athletic receiving tight end is going to be his calling card, he is going to have to show that he is more comfortable catching the ball with his hands in tight spaces.
Draft Projection- 5th round
Herndon’s athleticism and frame are undeniable. This all but guarantees his shot at an NFL roster. Right now, he will be a developmental project with explosive upside in the pass game. He will have to put on some more weight and strength to become a consistent endline blocker if he wants to be an every down player in the NFL. In a more spread out game where coaches are trying to get the best athletes on the field, it is hard to think that Herndon will not find a home in the NFL. Let’s see what kind of story Herndon can add to the great history of Tight End U.
