Eight Texas A&M veterans suited up for the Panini Senior Bowl on Saturday, but one name in particular turned heads in Mobile: Nate Boerkircher. The former Nebraska tight end, who spent just one season in College Station, made the most of his final collegiate campaign-and now, he's making a strong case for himself ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Boerkircher might not have filled up the stat sheet in 2025-he totaled 19 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns-but his value to the Aggies went far beyond the box score. He quickly became a fan favorite, especially after hauling in a dramatic game-tying touchdown in the closing seconds of Texas A&M’s thrilling 41-40 road win over Notre Dame. That moment wasn’t just clutch-it was emblematic of the kind of reliable, tough football Boerkircher brought to the table all season long.
At 6-foot-5 and nearly 250 pounds, Boerkircher operated as one of the most dependable in-line blockers on the roster. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out solidly across the board: a 74.3 overall offensive grade, 67.2 in receiving, 64.4 in pass protection, and a strong 72.2 in run blocking. Those numbers don’t scream superstar, but they do paint the picture of a player who consistently does the dirty work-and does it well.
It’s also worth noting that Boerkircher’s receiving numbers could’ve easily been more robust. With quarterback Marcel Reed leaning heavily on standout wideouts KC Concepcion and Mario Craver, targets were tough to come by.
But when Reed needed a short-yardage conversion or a safety valve across the middle, Boerkircher was often the guy. His sure hands and route discipline made him a quiet but crucial piece of the Aggies’ offensive puzzle.
Fast forward to Senior Bowl week, and Boerkircher’s skill set was on full display. He impressed scouts with his smooth route running, physicality at the catch point, and ability to secure contested balls. One particular 50/50 grab in tight man coverage lit up social media and served as a reminder: this guy can play.
That performance didn’t go unnoticed. Dane Brugler, a respected NFL Draft analyst, named Boerkircher his top tight end "winner" from the Senior Bowl.
Brugler pointed out that while Boerkircher never cracked 200 receiving yards in any of his six college seasons (five at Nebraska, one at Texas A&M), that stat says more about the offenses he played in than it does about his talent. Brugler praised Boerkircher’s ability to separate on routes and catch through contact, adding that his blend of receiving upside and blocking reliability makes him a compelling mid-round target.
Heading into Senior Bowl week, Boerkircher wasn’t on many draft boards. Now?
He’s looking like one of the more intriguing mid-round prospects at the tight end position-a veteran presence with the tools to contribute early in his NFL career. For teams in need of a rock-solid blocker who can also make plays in the passing game, Boerkircher’s name is quickly climbing the list.