Preston Fryzel

Bio

Height 6'4"
Weight 220 lbs
Hometown Toledo, OH
High School Central Catholic
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recruiting

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Class of 2026
#348 National
0.9006 Rating

Scouting Report

A
90 / 100 Ceiling 90 • Floor 82
year 1 contributor NFL Rd 5

Preston Fryzel is a highly skilled, pass-catching tight end with a long, athletic frame and significant upside. A Notre Dame commit, he excels as a 'move' or 'flex' tight end, creating matchup problems with his route-running savvy and excellent ball skills. His immediate value is in the passing game, with his potential as a complete, every-down player being contingent on physical development and refinement in the run game.

Physical Profile

Fryzel possesses an ideal frame for a modern tight end at 6-foot-4 and weighing between 215-225 pounds. He looks more like a big wide receiver currently, with a build that can easily add significant muscle mass without sacrificing his athletic ability. This length provides a wide catch radius, which is a key attribute for a pass-catching tight end. As a multi-sport athlete who also plays baseball and has experience at multiple football positions, he displays good all-around coordination and athleticism. His frame is the foundation of his high upside, as his development will be closely tied to how he fills out in a collegiate strength and conditioning program.

Play Style

On film, Fryzel operates as a dynamic receiving threat who can stretch the field vertically. He shows a good burst off the line of scrimmage and accelerates well out of his breaks. He is a savvy and confident receiver who uses his length and body control to his advantage, consistently winning at the catch point. While willing as a blocker, he is not yet a physical force in the trenches and is used more as a versatile offensive weapon who can be moved around to create favorable passing situations.

Strengths

  • Advanced Pass Catcher: Fryzel is a natural hands-catcher with outstanding body control and the ability to track the ball effectively, especially on deep routes. He consistently makes plays in traffic and wins contested-catch situations. As a junior, he was highly productive, tallying 43 receptions for 807 yards and 10 touchdowns, demonstrating big-play ability with an 18.8 yards-per-catch average.
  • Route Running & Separation: He shows a good feel for route running, with the burst off the line and agility to create separation from linebackers and safeties. He understands how to attack leverage, get downfield quickly to stress the seams, and find soft spots in zone coverage.
  • Mismatch Potential: His combination of size and wide receiver-like movement skills makes him an immediate mismatch problem. He can be lined up wide, in the slot, or as an H-back, allowing offensive coordinators to move him around the formation to exploit favorable matchups against smaller defensive backs or less athletic linebackers.

Areas to Improve

  • Functional Strength & Blocking: The most significant area for development is his in-line blocking. He is currently on the thin side and needs to add considerable size and strength to effectively engage with defensive ends and linebackers in the run game. His technique and physicality as a blocker will need substantial refinement at the next level.
  • Physical Development: To transition from a pass-catching specialist to a complete tight end, he must commit to a college strength program to add mass to his 6-foot-4 frame. His ability to maintain his athleticism as he adds weight will be critical to unlocking his full potential.

College Projection

Fryzel projects as a high-upside 'F' or 'move' tight end who could see the field early in his career in specific passing situations due to his advanced receiving skills. He is likely a multi-year contributor with the potential to develop into a starting-caliber player by his second or third year. His full impact will be realized as he physically matures and becomes a more complete player capable of handling blocking assignments in the run game. He has enrolled early at Notre Dame, which will accelerate his physical development and grasp of the playbook.

NFL Outlook

Given his 4-star composite rating, ideal frame, and high-level receiving skills, Fryzel possesses clear NFL potential. His development as a blocker will be the determining factor in his ultimate draft stock. If he can add 20-25 pounds of good weight and become at least an adequate in-line blocker, his profile as a dynamic pass-catching tight end aligns perfectly with current NFL trends. His trajectory points toward a potential mid-to-late round draft pick with the upside to become a starter.

Best Fit

Fryzel is an excellent fit for a modern, pro-style offense that utilizes its tight ends as primary receiving threats and values formational versatility. A scheme like the one at Notre Dame, which has a history of producing high-level pass-catching tight ends such as Tyler Eifert and Michael Mayer, is ideal. An offense that moves the tight end around, uses them in the slot, and makes them a focal point of the vertical passing game will maximize his skill set.

Player Comparison

Kyle Pitts University of Florida • Atlanta Falcons 78% match

Both prospects share the prototypical 6'4", 220 lb frame that translates to multiple positions - Pitts was similarly versatile coming out of high school before becoming an elite tight end. The 4-star composite rating and top-350 national ranking mirrors Pitts' recruiting profile as a highly-rated but not superstar-level recruit who had the physical tools to develop into an elite player at the next level.