Latest news with #GunnarHelm
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Titans rookie Gunnar Helm is making a good first impression
Titans rookie Gunnar Helm is making a good first impression Over the last few weeks, NFL fans have gotten a preview of what the future holds with rookie minicamps. That has given many former Longhorns opportunities to connect with their new teammates. That includes Gunnar Helm, who is expected to be an important part of the Titans' future. While Helm isn't guaranteed to start, that could change quickly. The Titans' current starter at tight end is Chig Okonkwo, who has one year left on his deal. If he departs in free agency following the upcoming season, the Titans have a solid young option to turn to in the former Longhorn. As Helm hasn't gotten used to a new system, he has been busy asking questions so that he can do whatever is needed to help the team. "I talked to a lot of NFL vets throughout this process, throughout the combine, post-combine, post-Pro Day about just what to expect," Helm said via team reporter Jim Wyatt. "All of them kind of said the same thing: The biggest difference from college to the National Football League is not only the speed, but it's really attention to detail. It's all mental at this level, so just grasping the new playbook and figuring out the concepts. … The chemistry, the timing all of it, just kind of falls back on that mental piece." While Helm's curiosity has been a welcome sign, it is no surprise. During his time at Texas, the Colorado native improved every year. That paid off during his final season when he set career highs in catches with 60 and receiving yards with 786. Following his breakout season, the Titans made him a fourth-round pick. As excitement builds for the future, Helm's debut is inching closer by the day. He will make his NFL debut on September seventh when the Titans face the Denver Broncos.
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee Titans come to terms with fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm
Tennessee Titans come to terms with fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm The Tennessee Titans have been busy making headway with their rookie draft class. Days after coming to terms with five of their selections from the 2025 NFL draft, Tennessee came to terms with fourth-round tight end Gunnar Helm on his four-year contract. Helm is an experienced tight end who seemed to fall in the draft after a disappointing pre-draft process. His lack of measurables carried more weight than his on-field performance throughout his college career. As a sure-handed receiver, his production against SEC competition showed more than his eventual draft slot. Over his four-year career, Helm saw action in 54 games with 26 starts at the University of Texas. During his time with the Longhorns, he recorded 79 receptions for 1,022 yards and nine touchdowns. He finished 2024 as a second-team All-SEC performer and a John Mackey Award semifinalist. Helm joins Kevin Winston Jr., Elic Ayomanor, Jackson Slater, Marcus Harris, and Kalel Mullings as draft picks who have signed their rookie contracts before the start of OTAs. That leaves first overall pick Miami quarterback Cam Ward, second-round pick UCLA outside linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo, and fourth-round pick Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike as unsigned draft choices.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Titans 2025 NFL Draft pick Gunnar Helm helped fix Texas football. Can he do same in Nashville?
Gunnar Helm's NFL combine experience did not go as he hoped it would. The former Texas tight end sprained his ankle during a false start in the 40-yard dash. But he gained some respect by not telling anyone. He finished the rest of the drills and then rehabbed his ankle to be ready for the Longhorns' pro day a few weeks later. Advertisement That story might have actually worked out in Helm's favor ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans selected Helm in the 2025 NFL Draft at No. 120 in the fourth round. Helm's profile — an experienced player with high character — is similar to other players the Titans have gone after this week. More: Grading the Tennessee Titans pick of Elic Ayomanor at No. 136 in 2025 NFL Draft More: Tennessee Titans trade with Baltimore Ravens, move up in NFL draft 4th round: Full details The 6-foot-5, 241-pound fourth-year senior was part of a major shift in Texas football. He was a freshman in 2021 during Steve Sarkisian's first season, after the Tom Herman era came to an unceremonious close. Advertisement 'When I got to (Texas) I was an 18-year-old kid who walked into a very broken culture, a very broken team,' Helm said. 'I was able to help shift the locker room from a very young age. One of the things I think I have in my arsenal is the ability to do that at a very young age no matter what level I'm at. I feel connecting with guys on a deeper level, using the techniques in practice coach Sark had for us to rebuild that culture will be something that translates on the football field.' Helm was a second-team All-SEC player in 2024 as a senior. He led the Longhorns with 60 receptions, a single-season school record for tight ends. He finished with 786 receiving yards (13.1 per catch) and seven touchdowns while starting all 16 games during Texas' run to the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Titans are focused on a cultural rebuild. Third- and fourth-round picks Kevin Wilson Jr. (Penn State safety) and Chimere Dike (Florida receiver) were both team captains. Advertisement 'It's hard to win games in the NFL," Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler said. "When you have guys you have to expend resources on whether it's medical, extra time on intelligence, character and off-field stuff — all of that is a distraction and takes away from the main focus for us, which is winning. It's an important piece." Helm said he didn't think the Titans were interested in him at first. Coincidentally, he did a lot of pre-combine training with other college tight ends in Nashville at Lipscomb Academy with AthElite's Jeremy Holt. 'I got a lot of great tips from current NFL guys like (Vanderbilt graduate, Carolina Panthers tight end) Jordan Mathews,' Helm said. 'I worked out with Mitchell Evans (Notre Dame), Jaylen Conyers (Oklahoma), Tyler Neville (Virginia). We had a great group of guys who just loved where we were, loved the city of Nashville. I'm so happy to be going back.' Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for him? Reach Tyler at tpalmateer@ and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83. He also writes The Tennessean's high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to the newsletter here. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans 2025 NFL Draft pick Gunnar Helm already familiar with Nashville
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
BREAKING: Former Texas Longhorn TE Gunnar Helm drafted by Tennessee Titans
BREAKING: Former Texas Longhorn TE Gunnar Helm drafted by Tennessee Titans Former Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm has been drafted by the Tennessee Titans. The Englewood, Colorado native was taken 120th in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Helm burst onto the national scene his senior season, becoming a John Mackey Award semifinalist. Helm arrived at Texas as a three-star tight end with a strong basketball background. His development was slow, but it all came together in the 2024 season when he became one of Quinn Ewers favorite targets. The TE grew at least an inch and put on 25 pounds while in Austin. Helm put together one of the greatest seasons by a tight end in Texas history. His knack for grabbing contested catches and crucial first downs became legendary. Helm snagged 60 catches for 786 yards and seven TDs. All were single season records for a tight end at Texas. Helm is a reliable target with good size and a nose for finding open spaces. His size, ball skills, and knowledge as a tight end mesh together to form a prospect with real value to an NFL team. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft: Tennessee Titans draft TE Gunnar Helm
2025 NFL draft: Tennessee Titans draft TE Gunnar Helm With their second pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans selected Gunnar Helm, a tight end out of Texas. Sticking with the offensive side of the ball, the Titans add another weapon for Cam Ward. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Helm is a huge presence whether he's blocking for the quarterback or receiving the ball. He caught balls from Quinn Ewers as a Longhorn, and over his three seasons there caught 79 passes for 1,022 yards and nine touchdowns. A capable tight end, Helm is reliable and a solid route runner. He needs to add strength to his legs and work on his hand position when blocking, but his size makes him an easy-to-find target and his stamina allows him to be on the field for more snaps. He is projected to be a TE2 with three-down capability by and the Titans will likely find use for him during the 2025 season.
