Looking to become Harvard’s second draftee in four years, Ben Braunecker brings along a productive resume and a ton of potential.
The secret is out: Harvard sports is on a legitimate rise and appears to be here to stay.
Football included.
Tight end Ben Braunecker looks to continue that trend, joining the likes of Matt Birk, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and more recently in 2013, Kyle Juszczyk.
Braunecker brings a lot to the table, but playing in the Ivy League obviously has its drawbacks.
How much will that affect his draft stock? Let’s break it down.
Vitals
Ht: 6-3
Wt: 250 pounds
Class: Senior
Hometown: Ferdinand, IN
Prospect Video
Strengths
A smart, good ole’ Harvard boy, Braunecker isn’t an elite athlete, but has a knack for finding the soft spots coverage. He runs crisp routes and can beat defenders off the line with some sneaky speed and quickness. Armed with a soft pair of hands to match, Braunecker uses his length to extend nicely back to the ball. While the Crimson standout isn’t a burner after the catch, he’s a hard-runner that can power through tacklers for extra yardage.
Weaknesses
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Until Braunecker is actually selected, he’ll be constantly plagued by questions regarding his ability to handle defenders at the pro-level. It’s a valid concern, as playing in the Ivy League doesn’t exactly expose its players to high-end talent. Will Braunecker be able to block, beat or separate from defenders in the NFL?
Verdict
Based off of what we’ve seen from him already, Braunecker has all the necessary tools to excel in the league.
Regardless of the difficulty of opponent Harvard faces, the school’s star tight end produced and displayed a well-rounded game that should translate well into the pros.
A fourth or fifth round pick can be expected of Braunecker, as it’ll take a few years for him to develop his game.