Pats Pulpit
The all-tight end event is taking place in Nashville this week.
The 2025 Tight End University kicked off on Monday, and the New England Patriots are also represented at the three-day event. Austin Hooper the sole member of the team’s tight end depth chart to make the trip to Nashville.
Hooper, 30, first arrived in New England as an unrestricted free agent last offseason. He quickly developed into a reliable running mate for nominal starting tight end Hunter Henry, and finished the season with 45 catches for 476 yards and a team-leading three touchdowns.
A majority of Hooper’s production came with rookie quarterback Drake Maye under center. The pair connected 32 times for 360 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 13 games last year. Hooper consequently ranked third among New England’s most productive pass catchers with Maye under center, trailing only fellow tight end Hunter Henry (46-460-2) and wide receiver DeMario Douglas (45-453-3).
The most reliable downfield target Maye had available, he ended up catching 82.1 percent of his 39 targets from the young QB. He also turned 18 of his catches into first downs for a first down rate of 46.2 percent per target — highest on the team.
His best season since 2020 made Hooper a priority free agent for the Patriots this offseason, and eventually earned him a one-year, $5 million contract to stay with the team. It also earned him an invitation to the Tight End University.
While Hooper is the only current Patriot to participate in this week’s event, several other players with ties to the organization are present. Pharaoh Brown, Mike Gesicki, Jordan Matthews and Eric Saubert all spent time in New England at one point in their respective careers.
Tight End University was founded in 2021 by George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and former NFL tight end Greg Olsen. The meeting allows some of the top talent at the position to join forces for three days in workouts, film study and rehabilitation, and to get in touch with their brethren both active and retired.
