Cleveland Browns Sign 3rd Round Pick Tight End Harold Fannin Jr. After Great College Career
The Cleveland Browns signed rookie Tight End Harold Fannin Jr., locking in their third-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft. Fannin, who grew up in Canton, Ohio, will now suit up for his hometown team. After putting up eye-popping numbers at Bowling Green, he is looking to prove he belongs at the next level. The Browns see potential in him. Now it is time to see what he can do in an NFL uniform. How will he fare with the Browns?
From Bowling Green Star To NFL Opportunity
Fannin did not come from a powerhouse program, but he made sure people knew his name. Over three seasons at Bowling Green, he caught 180 passes for nearly 2,400 yards and found the end zone 17 times. His final college season was the stuff of legend. He racked up 117 catches and over 1,500 receiving yards, which set new records for tight ends in the FBS.
It was not just the stats. It was the way he did it. Fannin lined up all over the field. Sometimes in the slot, sometimes out wide, and sometimes next to the quarterback. He made plays in traffic, and he made plays down the sideline. He did a little bit of everything. The more tape teams watched, the more they realized this kid was different. The Browns liked what they saw. With so many needs and options on the board, they still used a third-round pick on him. That says something.
A Good Fit For a Tight End-Friendly Offense
Cleveland’s offense has never been shy about using tight ends. Kevin Stefanski’s system often leans on two or even three tight ends at once. That should give Fannin a shot to carve out a role early. He is not expected to jump David Njoku on the depth chart right away, but there is room for him to grow and earn playing time.
At six-foot-three and just over 240 pounds, Fannin has the size teams want, but he moves more like a big receiver than a traditional tight end. That kind of flexibility will help him get on the field. He still has work to do as a blocker, and the speed of the NFL will take some adjusting, but the talent is there.
Cleveland’s front office has talked about how impressed they were with his football intelligence and work ethic during the pre-draft process. They believe he is coachable and ready to compete. That is all you can ask from a rookie.
A Local Talent with Real Upside
Harold Fannin Jr. is now officially part of the Cleveland Browns, and the story almost writes itself. A local kid who shattered records at a small school now gets a shot with his hometown team. He is not walking into the league with massive hype, but he has the numbers and the skill set to turn heads.
Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, especially for rookies. But Fannin has already done the hard part, proving he belongs. Now it is about taking that next step and showing he can hold his own against the best. The Browns believe in him. Soon enough, we will see if the Browns were right.
He does not need to make headlines right away. He just needs to keep doing what got him here. Show up, stay hungry, and play with purpose. Cleveland is a blue-collar city, and fans respect guys who put their heads down and work. Fannin is stepping into a locker room full of veterans, but if he stays focused and takes advantage of his chances, he will earn respect quickly. For a hometown kid, it is more than football. It is personal. And that can make all the difference.
