Briana McDonald
Professor of tight endsGeorge Kittlehas checked into the fifth annual Tight End University. This week, the San Francisco 49ers star tight end is once again taking the field in Nashville, Tennessee alongside co-founders Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and former Pro Bowler Greg Olsen.
During the three-day learning summit, Kittle is joined by fellow 49ers tight endsLuke Farrell,Brayden Willis,Mason Pline, and QBMac Jones. The Niners will come together with over 70 tight ends from around the league for film study, on-field drills, and mentorship.
"We try to cover all the things a tight end does because we're the only position that really gets to do everything," Kittle said on theDan Patrick Show. "We try to cover as much as we possibly can in the limited time we have with these guys, and just try to give them that extra step forward in their careers."
Farrell, Willis, and Pline are putting in the offseason work and looking to elevate their game ahead of this year's training camp.
Farrell, a free-agent addition this offseason, enters his first training camp with the 49ers after four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was brought in for his blocking expertise, something the 49ers believe can strengthen their already physical run game.
"He's one of the best run-blocking tight ends I've seen in a long time," Offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Forester said. "Luke, his tape was very, very impressive. He literally has an impact on defensive ends. When he blocks or hits a defensive end, there's movement, you see things with him that you don't see with a lot of tight ends, he's really cool that way."
Willis, a 2023 seventh-round pick, contributed primarily on special teams during his first two seasons. Pline, an undrafted free agent in 2024, spent last year on the practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract in January. The two help round out a tight end group combining veteran experience and emerging depth.
All three are taking full advantage of the opportunity to learn from the best in the game. Inside Vanderbilt University's football facilities, TEU mirrors a classroom environment; there are real-time corrections and breakout sessions on blocking and yards after catch. With training camp just weeks away, the tight ends from The Bay will take their lessons learned in Nashville to the practice field at the SAP Performance Center.
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