Our NFL combine review series continues with Thursday’s media session, focusing on tight ends and defensive backs. My goal this week is to talk to some of the most characterful players at each position and provide some insight into their personalities based on these media sessions.
I caught up with four tight ends on Thursday. Here are some insights into each:
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Before:
NOTE: I wanted to talk to Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, but he didn’t show up during the 90 minutes. This is relatively normal for the NFL combine process, but I didn’t have any extra time to wait.
Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher
size: 6 feet 5 inches, 247 pounds
Quick introduction: Boerkircher, a primary blocking tight end, played four seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Texas A&M for the 2025 season. He posted career highs in nearly every PFF category last season, including a rock-solid 72.2 PFF run grade.
Current draft predictions: Early on the third day
Combined with resonance:
Boerkirkcher will certainly be criticized by some for his lack of production as a receiver (19 catches, 198 yards, 3 touchdowns in 2025), and the tight end said teams have raised the issue of the lack of production. But it was his engine that he was proud of.
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“My toughness and my drive,” Burkicher said of his strengths. “I don’t have crazy stats, so the question of limited stats was brought up a little bit. We talked about that, but like I said, the movie shows what it needs to show. Movies don’t lie.”
While Boerkircher said he hasn’t met Lions coach Dan Campbell — an A&M tight end alumnus — he passed a photo of him every day in college and hopes to meet him one day.
Indiana TE Riley Nowakovsky
size: 6 feet 2 inches, 239 pounds
Quick introduction: Like Boerkircher, Nowakovsky played four years at Wisconsin before having a career year at Indiana in 2025. He ranked in the top 10 in PFF grade while playing tight end more than all but one player in the country. From backup to captain (rotating captain) at Wisconsin and Indiana. Size may be an issue at the next level.
Current draft predictions: Mid to late third day
Combined with resonance:
Nowakovsky prides himself on his physicality in the game, and he played most of the game against Indiana, but he also got a fair amount of H-back opportunities when the Hoosiers went to 12 men (PFF credited him with 26 backfield snaps). Play full-time at linebacker at Wisconsin in 2022 (81 snaps)
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“I just love moving a guy against his will,” Nowakovsky said. “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed, whether it’s moving rocks, blowing someone up, or keeping them out, it’s definitely something I enjoy.”
Nowakovsky was extremely affable, happy to share stories about Indiana coach Kurt Sinetti (even being impressive), and reliving the national championship game with his teammates.
He also shared how he believes he has great resilience. He started as a backup at Wisconsin, went through two position changes (linebacker to running back to tight end) and had to quickly adjust to Indiana after transferring.
“Through it all, I just stuck with what I knew, kept my head down, and kept working,” Nowakovsky said. “Just a lunch pail, hard hat mentality. That’s what my parents raised me with.”
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Stanford TE Sam Roush
size: 6 feet 5 inches, 259 pounds
Quick introduction: Roush is a tall, physical tight end whose receiving output at Stanford has increased year by year (49 catches, 545 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 2025). As team captain, Roush was considered smart, strong and hard-working.
Current draft predictions: Round 2-3
Combined with resonance:
Notes: Roush said he met informally with the Lions at the NFL Combine.
Roush earned an immediate bonus point by mentioning Lions tight end Sam LaPorta as a player he models his game after.
“I really like the way Sam Laporta plays. I think he blocks really well and he does a great job with his feet and hands. Obviously, he’s known as a pass catcher, but he’s a little lighter than some of the other tight ends that really block, but I think he’s at a high level.”
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He also talked about how his love for the sport stems from physical dominance.
“I love dominating another person. We have a quote hanging in the locker room. It says, ‘There’s no better feeling than moving a person from point A to point B against their will,’ and I wanted to embody that,” Roush said.
Michigan TE Marlin Klein
size: 6 feet 6 inches, 250 pounds
Quick introduction: A player who was born in Germany and is still learning the game but has earned his place at Michigan and was even named a team captain in 2025. His frame needs more work but has a blocking frame and untapped receiving potential.
Current draft predictions: Early on the third day
Combined with resonance:
Not long into his media session, the Lions contact got involved. He said he met with the Lions on Wednesday night and he also spoke about Germany’s links with the Lions, including the legacy of Amon-La St. Brown and the recently announced international tournament in Munich.
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“My dream is to get back out there and play a game,” Klein said.
Beyond the Lions connection, Klein had a great answer for the 2023 season. He was supposed to play a big role offensively, but Michigan brought in AJ Barner through the transfer portal, a 2025 fourth-round pick to take over his role. Klein admits it’s frustrating, but ultimately says it’s a blessing in disguise because he gets to observe how professionals operate.
“When they brought him in to start my sophomore year, I hated him,” Klein said. “I thought I was the guy and I was supposed to play. They brought him in and he started. But looking back, it was the biggest blessing of my life. Seeing him work every day, how he attacked the game of football, his life outside of football, it was such a blessing.”
