Harold Fannin Jr.

Harold Fannin Jr. (born July 20, 2004) is an American professional football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Bowling Green Falcons and was selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Early life and high school career Fannin was born and raised in Canton, Ohio and attended McKinley High School. He was named first-team All-Ohio as a senior at defensive back after making 106 tackles with two interceptions, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns and was also an All-Federal League selection on offense after catching 36 passes for 601 yards and six touchdowns. Fannin committed to play college football at Bowling Green State University.

College career Freshman season – 2022

Harold Fannin Jr. began his collegiate career with the Bowling Green Falcons in 2022, appearing in 11 games as a freshman. He recorded 19 receptions for 218 yards and one touchdown.

Sophomore season – 2023

In 2023, Fannin emerged as one of the top offensive threats for Bowling Green. He finished the season with 44 receptions for 623 yards and six touchdowns, earning first-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors.

Junior season – 2024

Fannin entered the 2024 season on the preseason John Mackey Award Watch List, signaling expectations for him as one of the top tight ends in college football. He set several FBS records throughout the year. Against Penn State, Fannin recorded 11 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown, becoming the only player during the regular season to post 100+ receiving yards against the Nittany Lions' defense. Against Old Dominion, Fannin set a school record for single-game receiving yards by a tight end with 193 yards on 12 receptions, breaking a record set in 1983. He also surpassed Bowling Green's career touchdown record for tight ends in this game. His performance earned him first-team All-MAC honors for the second consecutive year, and he became a finalist for the John Mackey Award after leading all FBS tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

Records, awards, and achievements Fannin finished his junior season with 1,555 receiving yards and 117 receptions, setting new records for FBS tight ends. Fannin also set the FBS tight end single-season standard in receiving yards per game (119.6) and single-season receptions per game (9.0). Fannin also became the first tight end in FBS history to lead the nation in both receptions and receiving yards. While he was the first tight end to lead the nation in receiving yards per game (119.6), he joined Purdue's Dave Young as the only tight ends to lead the nation in receptions per game.

Fannin also had a standout performance in the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl, recording 17 receptions for 213 yards—a single-game bowl record for tight ends. Fannin was named MVP of the 68 Ventures Bowl for his efforts.

He led FBS tight ends in many statistical categories, including leading all receivers in receptions of 10+ yards (63), broken tackles (34) and yards after catch (873). He also led all FBS players in receptions per game (9.0) and receiving yards per game (119.6).

On December 30, 2024, Fannin announced via Instagram that he would forego his senior season and declare for the 2025 NFL draft.

Statistics Led NCAA Division I FBS Bold Career best Year Team Games Receiving Rushing GP GS Rec Yards Avg TD Att Yards Avg TD 2022 Bowling Green 12 1 19 218 11.5 1 10 53 5.3 4 2023 Bowling Green 11 8 44 623 14.2 6 14 41 2.9 0 2024 Bowling Green 13 12 117 1,555 13.3 10 9 65 7.2 1Career 36 21 180 2,396 13.3 17 33 159 4.8 5

Professional career

Fannin was selected in the third round with the 67th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. In Week 1, he made his NFL debut as the starting tight end against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording seven receptions for 63 yards in the loss. In Week 5, Fannin caught his first career touchdown on a 1-yard pass from quarterback Dillon Gabriel in a game against the Minnesota Vikings held in London. In Week 14, Fannin logged his first career 100-yard game against the Tennessee Titans, catching eight passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. In Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills, Fannin scored his first NFL rushing touchdown and added a receiving touchdown. He also eclipsed Kevin Johnson’s franchise rookie receptions mark of 66. He finished the season as the Browns' leading receiver with 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns.

NFL career statistics

Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles 2025 CLE 16 13 72 731 10.2 35 6 7 13 1.9 4 1 1 1Career 16 13 72 731 10.2 35 6 7 13 1.9 4 1 1 1