The Phinsider
West Virginia tight end Kole Taylor spoke with The Draft Network about his experience at the Hula Bowl.
Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland have dominated early draft conversations, but tight end is considered a strength of the 2025 NFL Draft. Miami Hurricanes tight end Elijah Arroyo stole the show at the Senior Bowl, and more prospects will gain traction at the NFL Combine.
Currently unlisted in the Mock Draft Database, West Virginia tight end Kole Taylor caught 43 passes for 448 yards and three touchdowns last season. The 6’7”, 255-pound Mountaineer participated in the Hula Bowl — an All-Star game featuring 120 seniors — and shared his experience with The Draft Network.
“I had a good meeting with the Miami Dolphins,” Taylor told Justin Melo. “I met with them early in the week. We watched some film together and I thought that went really well. I was able to highlight who I am as a football player during that session. I got a great vibe from them.”
Tight end isn’t necessarily a need for Miami, as Jonnu Smith just set single-season franchise records with 88 receptions, 884 yards, and eight touchdowns. That said, the Dolphins still lack a capable blocker and physical receiving threat at the position.
Miami traded its third-round pick to draft Jaylen Wright last season but is expected to receive a compensatory pick at the end of the round. The Dolphins will start day three with two picks in the fourth and fifth rounds.
Taylor’s college career began at LSU, where he caught 17 passes over three seasons. He transferred to WVU and hit the ground running with a team-high 35 receptions for 444 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
“Every game I played in at West Virginia, I recorded at least one catch,” Taylor said. ”I carved out a role for myself early and I was able to consistently help the offense however I could. I ranked first on the team in receptions in 2023. This past year, I was second in receptions and receiving yards.”
Taylor added that he spoke with more than 10 teams at the Hula Bowl, a common practice at pre-draft All-Star events. A tight end isn’t urgently needed, but Miami has the mid-round ammunition to jump around the draft order for the right player.
