CLEVELAND, Ohio — When it comes to production, no tight end in college football history has had a more prolific season than Harold Fannin Jr. for Bowling Green in 2024. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, the former Canton McKinley standout shattered records with an astounding 117 receptions for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns, setting the new standard for the position.
The new Browns tight end consistently created separation through elite route-running ability, showcasing precision and attention to detail typically seen in top-tier wide receivers. His hands are reliable in all situations, whether it’s securing catches in traffic, adjusting to off-target throws, or high-pointing the ball in contested 50/50 balls.
Below is a look at a few highlights from Fannin that show his short-area burst, spatial awareness, hands, lateral quickness, and run-after-catch ability.
Physically, Fannin presents a match-up nightmare. He’s a big-bodied receiver with the size to shield defenders and the strength to break tackles, yet he moves with the suddenness and fluidity of a much smaller player. His ability to win at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point makes him really tough to cover for safeties and linebackers.
But make no mistake, Fannin’s ability to run after the catch is what make him special and what the Browns desperately need.
Fannin has exceptional short-area quickness and acceleration, allowing him to explode out of breaks and turn routine catches into chunk plays. That burst was evident throughout his college tape and was confirmed at the NFL Combine, where he posted a remarkable 1.56-second 10-yard split, which rivals many top-tier receivers and running backs.
Below is a look at Fannin’s touchdown catch from Dillon Gabriel during Browns rookie minicamp.
Fannin demonstrates a deep understanding of defensive coverages and spatial awareness, often finding soft spots in zones or outmaneuvering defenders in man-to-man coverage. His production wasn’t the result of a gimmicky system or inflated by low-impact targets — it came through consistent execution, physical dominance, and elite fundamentals and technique.
Simply put, Fannin’s 2024 season wasn’t just great for a tight end; it was one of the most complete and dynamic receiving campaigns in college football history, regardless of position.
Maximizing Fannin’s unique skill set
The key for any coach, at any level, is to maximize the strengths of his players while minimizing his weaknesses. This will be the challenge for Kevin Stefanski and new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as they define a roll for their new tight end.
For all the skills Fannin possesses, playing as a traditional tight end with his hand on the ground and consistently blocking massive NFL defensive linemen is not among them. Using Fannin all over the place within deferent formations will maximize his strengths of receiving and blocking in space.
If I am Stefanski, 12 personnel would be my base as the 2025 season preparations begin. In 12 personnel, the offense has one running back, two tight ends and two receivers on the field. The Browns’ current lack of depth at receiver, the addition of Fannin and drafting two running backs will make this personnel group the best option.
Why the Browns can have great success in 12 personnel
1. Forces defense to declare personnel
Fannin and Pro Bowler David Njoku teaming up in 12 personnel forces the defense to decide what personnel it wants in the game. Two tight end sets are often regarded as power groupings, demanding defenses to play more linebackers, as compared to defensive backs, to help to stop the run.
However, the receiving skill set of Fannin and Njoku can cause a dilemma for defenses. Does a defensive coordinator play more linebackers to stop the run or more defensive backs to stop the pass?
2. Formation flexibility
Once an offensive coordinator knows what defensive personnel is in the game, he can call formations that best exploit the skill set of those defenders. If they go regular personnel with three linebackers, Stefanski will use more spread formations to create space and make the run stopping linebackers and safeties cover the uber-athletic Fannin and Njoku in the pass game.
Conversely, if the defense plays nickel or dime, where linebackers are replaced by smaller, fast defensive backs, Stefanski can use power formations to make those defenders tackle.
3. Creates winnable one-on-one matchups
Dictating what personnel is in the game and then using appropriate formations to create a clear picture allows an offensive coordinator and quarterback to find winnable matchups. These matchups can be in the run game with fewer defenders in the box or in the pass game with defenders forced to cover in space.
How this works from an offensive coordinator’s point of view
As the offense runs onto the field, an offensive coordinator would yell out “12, 12” telling that personnel group to run on the field. Being that it is first down, the defensive coordinator will yell out “regular” because of the two tight end personnel. Let’s assume regular is a four-down defensive line look with three linebackers and four defensive backs.
As regular personnel runs on the field, the offensive coordinator will most likely use a spread formation that creates conflict for linebackers. The linebackers like to play and tackle within the box, instead of covering skill guys in space.
Below is a look at a spread formation out of 12 personnel with Fannin and Njoku on the outside to create a clear picture for the quarterback.
A look at a spread formation out of 12 personnel.
A look at a spread formation out of 12 personnel.cleveland.com
If it is man coverage, the linebackers walk all the way out to cover the tight ends, indicating a man look. Fannin and Njoku can use the receiver skill set to beat the linebacker coverage in space. Routes like slants, fades, back shoulder fades, and curls are very hard to cover for linebackers, especially when the tight end is out wide.
A look at a spread formation out of 12 personnel.
A look at a spread formation out of 12 personnel.cleveland.com
If it is zone coverage, the corners stay on the tight ends, indicating zone coverage. This means Jerry Jeudy will be in the slot working against linebackers and safeties in space while the the tight ends occupy the cover corners.
A look at a spread formation out of 12 personnel.
A look at a spread formation out of 12 personnel.cleveland.com
What we learned
12 personnel with Njoku and Fannin may be the best option for the Browns to be successful on offense the season. It allows Stefanski to run his scheme, find winnable matchups, and shorten the game to protect the Browns’ stellar defense.
Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.
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