Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth is proudly representing Massachusetts as he enters the NFL
“He’s a guy that causes defensive coordinators headaches."
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Pat Freiermuth, a self-proclaimed “plain and simple guy,” describes his game as old-fashioned and gritty.
The 6-foot-5, 251-pound tight end from Merrimac, who is projected by many to go late in the first round or sometime in the second or third round of the upcoming NFL Draft, takes pride in making the fundamentally sound play over the flashy one.
“I’m not one of those guys who is going to make a frickin’ spectacular juke move or anything like that,” Freiermuth told Boston.com. “I’m a guy who’s going to catch the ball consistently, make the blocks that are key, and run over guys.”
Freiermuth started his varsity career at Pentucket High School before transferring to the Brooks School in North Andover following his sophomore year. There, he blossomed into the state’s top-rated recruit while playing for his cousin, Pat Foley, before heading to Penn State.
He became the second true sophomore in PSU history to be named a captain, captained the team his junior season as well, and finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions among tight ends with 16. Freiermuth only played in four games as a junior due to a lingering right shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.
Freiermuth is approaching full health after a frustrating and humbling battle. He said he’s both excited and anxious for the NFL Draft, which he plans to watch at home with family and friends.
He added that he’s heard the 21-to-25 range, 33-34 range, or 44-55 range as possible options for where he’ll be selected, noting that he’s hit it off with the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I’ve had a really good relationship with those four teams through this whole process,” Freiermuth said. “I think I’d fit in well in those systems, so we’ll see what happens.”
I have been dreaming of this moment since I was a little kid. Thank you Penn State!! 🙏🏻💙 #weare pic.twitter.com/i4uXD8kgCz
— Pat Freiermuth (@pat_fry5) December 20, 2020
Former NFL coach Jim Mora Jr. called him someone who’s what the NFL is looking for right now in a tight end. He said he’s a mismatch down the field for defensive players because defensive backs aren’t big enough and linebackers aren’t fast or athletic enough to contain him.
“He’s a guy that causes defensive coordinators headaches,” Mora Jr. said.
Before he was an NFL prospect drawing such rave reviews, Freiermuth was simply a sports-crazed kid trying anything and everything he could in Massachusetts. Foley said Freiermuth was always athletic and gravitated to whatever sports he picked up, including baseball and lacrosse.
He called himself someone who focused on whatever season he was in at that moment. Freiermuth shined on the court as well and helped the Pentucket basketball team earn a trip to TD Garden his sophomore year.
Once he got to Brooks, he started to take his craft on the football field even more seriously and fully grasp how far the game could take him. Foley said there are strong players in the Independent School League but that Freiermuth stood out right away.
“He was different, and you could just tell it early on,” Foley said.
🤫🤫🤫 @Pat_Fry5
📺: 2021 #NFLDraft – April 29 to May 1 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC#WeAre pic.twitter.com/urZVoahlEX
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) April 26, 2021
Freiermuth is named after Foley and has leaned on his fellow Pat for wisdom and guidance over the years. The head coach described his younger cousin as someone who hasn’t rested on his natural talent and has worked incredibly hard to polish his game.
He’s become so explosive that some have compared Freiermuth to Rob Gronkowski. Though he grew up watching Gronkowski, and appreciates the kind words, he’s not a big fan of the comparison because he wants to be his own player who carves out his own legacy.
“It would be a huge honor to be compared to Gronk, but I don’t think I’m nearly as close to the player that he is,” Freiermuth said.
Mike Gesicki’s already doing work on Sundays.
This fall, another former @PennStateFball TE will be doing the same for his new team.@pat_fry5 // @NFLDraft // @NFL pic.twitter.com/z0w376zE1M
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) April 26, 2021
He said it “would be awesome” to play in front of his family and friends every single week with the Patriots, but he’s not sure it’s a realistic option.
Regardless of what happens next, those who know him well are proud of how far he’s come. Family and friends who have seen him flourish from the beginning are fascinated to see where the sport continues to take him, and they’re fully confident this is only the beginning.
“In some respects, he’ll be able to take a deep breath,” Foley said. “In other respects, he’ll have to get to work again.”
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