Gavin Bartholomew is an old-school, blue-collar tight end. He carved out a solid collegiate career over four seasons with the Pittsburgh Panthers. Now, he shifts his focus to making an impact at the next level. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report on one of the toughest tight-end prospects this year.
Overview, Film Analysis, And 2025 Scouting Report Of Pittsburgh TE Gavin Bartholomew
Measurables:
- 6’ 5”
- 246 lbs
2025 NFL Combine Results:
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.70 seconds
- 10-Yard Split: 1.59 seconds
Player Background:
Gavin Bartholomew was ranked as a three-star recruit from Blue Mountain High School in the state of Pennsylvania. He spent time at punter, quarterback, and defensive end in high school, but his performance as a tight end landed him offers and an eventual scholarship. He initially committed to the University of Buffalo before flipping his commitment to his hometown program, the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Bartholomew made an immediate impact on campus. As a freshman, he appeared in all 14 games and started eight at tight end while posting 326 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 28 receptions. Although he made twenty starts over his sophomore and junior seasons, neither of those campaigns was statistically better than his freshman year. Bartholomew’s performance off the field and in the locker room led Pittsburgh to select him as a team captain for his final season. As a senior, he set a career-high in receptions with 38 and had a multi-touchdown game for the first time in his career.
Accolades:
- 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl Participant
- Honorable Mention All-ACC (2024, 2023, 2021)
- AFCA Allstate Good Works Team (2023)
Best Tools/Pros:
Gavin Bartholomew is the toughest tight-end prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. He plays with a blue-collar mentality both as a receiver and a blocker. He isn’t afraid of taking a big hit or working in traffic to make the reception. Instead, he looks to dish out punishment himself. He is willing to get scrappy with defenders along the line of scrimmage and work out into space against linebackers in the second level. His effectiveness as a blocker allows him to move his assignment effectively and open up running lanes for the ball carrier.
Gavin Bartholomew #Pitt
Good inline blocker at the TE position. One of the few in this class who understands how to deliver a strike and roll through the hips. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/1cye1dizpR
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) February 28, 2025
Bartholomew brings this mentality and toughness to a number of different spots on the football field. He has experience playing tight end both in-line, out wide, and in the slot. The Panthers also aligned him at H-back, which means he could make an eventual transition to fullback. As a receiver, Bartholomew works best over the middle and in the first two levels of the football field. He does a great job boxing out defenders and making mid-air adjustments to the football.
Tools to Improve/Cons:
Gavin Bartholomew would’ve been a prized prospect about ten years ago, but with tight ends playing more as big, athletic receivers, his value is a bit diminished. He doesn’t have the dynamic athleticism to naturally separate against man coverage and can’t consistently get in and out of his breaks. There is no high-end speed in his game to make an impact in the seam or down the field. Athletic linebackers will have no problem sticking with him in coverage and bumping him off the assigned route.
Bartholomew needs refinement in some of the technical aspects of the tight end position. His hands aren’t consistent enough to be a starter at the NFL level. He tries to use his body too much and never looks comfortable extending beyond his frame to make the reception. In the blocking game, his footwork can lead to some mirroring issues in pass protection. He tends to bend his upper half over his lower half, leading to additional issues as well.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Gavin Bartholomew will be a quality second or third tight end on an NFL roster. His ideal landing spot would be with an offense that doesn’t already have a plus-blocker at the position. Overall, his physicality and mental toughness will help him develop and crack a roster as a late-round selection this April. If he can clean up the hands and use his frame to be a contested catch threat down the field, Bartholomew could carve out a lengthy career at the next level.
Prospect Grade and Comparison:
- Middle Sixth – Middle Seventh
- Hunter Henry, Arkansas
Film Exposures:
- vs Boston College (2024)
- vs Clemson (2024)
- vs Cincinnati (2023)
- vs North Carolina (2024)
Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – USA Today Sports
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