From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Texas A&M tight end, Nate Boerkircher.
No. 87 NATE BOERKIRCHER/ TE, TEXAS A&M (GRAD STUDENT) – 6054, 245 pounds.
Combine Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Nate Boerkircher 6054/245 10 1/2 32 5/8 N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A 4.40 N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
The Good
— Good size with very good hand size
— Experience lining up everywhere (inline, slot, wing, fullback, split wide)
— Route running showed improvement over the season
— Creates separation with manipulation and physicality
— Good awareness and spacing versus zone
— Effective on the short and intermediate levels
— Soft hands, adjusts around his frame well
— Solid in pass protection overall; works to stay connected to rusher
— Strong hands to lock on to blocks; will chop hands of defender
— Blocks to the whistle and was best within the tackle box
The Bad
— Limited production over five seasons
— Snap quickness is inconsistent from a three-point stance
— Speed doesn’t threaten defenders
— Slowed out of breaks within his routes during the season
— Gets to leaning forward in his blocks
— Loses ground versus power pass rushers
— Doesn’t always come to balance when blocking in space
— Not always aggressive at the start of blocks
Stats
— 52 games/17 starts
— Career: 38 receptions, 417 yards, 11 YPR, 4 TD, 4 rushes, 16 yards, 4.0 YPR, 1 TD
— 2025: 19 receptions, 198 yards, 10.4 YPR, 3 TD, 3 rushes, 5 yards, 1.7 YPR, 1 TD
— 2021-2024 at Nebraska, 2025 at Texas A&M
— Appeared in every game over last four seasons
— Academic All-Big 10 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
— Walked on at Nebraska; only scholarship offer was from Chadron State
— Earned Nebraska scholarship in May 2023
— Brother, Ian, also played college football as a walk-on for the Nebraska
— Was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy given to the best player who began as walk-on
Injury History
— Knee issues in high school; tissue under his kneecap was frayed from congenital defect
Background
— Birthday: Sept. 4, 2001 (24)
— Played at Aurora High School in Aurora, Nebraska
— Earned Class C-1 all-state honors from the Omaha World-Herald as a senior
— Won state title as a junior and had two touchdowns in the game
— Played tight end, defensive end and linebacker in high school
— Second-team all-state in basketball as a senior averaging 16.8 points and 8.4 rebounds
— Earned a degree in finance in May of 2024
— Involved in promoting pediatric brain cancer awareness through initiatives like the Archer Foundation
Tape Breakdown
Nate Boerkircher is a fifth-year tight end who spent four seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Texas A&M for his final season. He is of very good height and solid weight with good arm length and very good hand size. He was part of a rotation of three tight ends and lined up all over the Aggies offense including inline, out wide and fullback.
As a receiver, he has good acceleration from a two-point stance versus off coverage. His route running is a work in progress, but I liked his improvement through the season. He showed the ability to use physicality out of his break and manipulation within the route to create space. On curls and come back routes he displayed a solid hip drop. Versus zone coverage, he has good awareness and spacing to give his quarterback a good target. Most of his success came on the short and intermediate levels, but he did run routes on the deep level as well. On the scramble drill, he works to find open space.
His hands are good and he adjusts well all around his frame, even on the move. After the catch, he isn’t going to create a lot. He gets what is available and lowers the shoulder to run over a defender.
In pass protection, he was used often at the end of the line solo and with help and was solid overall. He displayed solid footwork and pad level to mirror defenders. His hand placement is solid and showed good hand strength to lock on pass rushers. He will also use chops to knock down the hands of the rusher.
As a run blocker, he did his best work on slide blocks across the formation and as a lead blocker, either pulling or from the fullback position. He was good on cut blocks and squaring up defenders in the hole. At the end of the line, he positioned well to wall off defenders to the outside. He will block to the whistle, trying to keep contact with his man.
From a three-point stance, his snap quickness is inconsistent. His speed is not going to threaten defenders, especially on the deep level. He slowed his momentum out of his break in the earlier part of the season. When blocking at the line of scrimmage, he can get top heavy, leaning too far forward and defenders can knock him off balance. Against power rushers, he struggled to hold his ground in pass protection.
On down blocks, he doesn’t drive with his legs aggressively as much as you would like.
On double teams, he is angled rather than squared up, hip-to-hip with his teammate. When blocking in space, he is late to come to balance and will miss his block.
Conclusion
Overall, Boerkircher is of good size with big hands. He has experience inline, on the wing, slot, fullback and split wide. He has good athleticism and is improving as a route runner. Against zone, he could be a reliable option and was effective on the chip/release to be a checkdown target. His best work is on the short and intermediate levels. He catches the ball well and adjusts to off target throws. As a pass blocker, his is capable with room to get even better. As a run blocker, he was solid overall and has some versatility.
Areas to improve include being quicker out of his stance, continuing to improve his ability to create space and eliminating his forward lean when blocking. Adding play strength and aggressiveness as an inline blocker will expand his role.
Boerkircher’s production as a receiver was low, but he was still tied for fourth on the team in receptions. As I stated earlier, there was a rotation of players at that position. I really liked the improvement in route running and his hands are really good. He could come in as a No. 3 tight end with the potential to be a useful No. 2 in the future. He has a good motor and could also help on special teams.
For a player comp, I will give you Jeremy Ruckert. Coming out of college he was a player with skillful hands with route running potential and an effective blocker with room to improve.
NFL Projection: Mid-Day ThreeSteelers Depot Grade: 7.3 (Spot Starter)Grade Range: 6.6 – 7.7Games Watched: 2025 – At Notre Dame, At Arkansas, At Missouri, Vs South Carolina, Vs Miami (FL)
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