Brevyn Spann-Ford generating buzz after Senior Bowl performance
Minnesota tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford runs a rout during the first quarter against Nebraska Thursday August 31, 2023 at Huntington Bank Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
MOBILE, Ala. — The former Minnesota tight end is riding a big wave of momentum after taking advantage of the spotlight in last Saturday’s Senior Bowl.
Brevyn Spann-Ford caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix right before halftime, which sent Whitney Hancock Stadium into a frenzy. The highlight capped off a solid week for Spann-Ford against the best of the best, in which he displayed his ability to block and catch.
The Minnesota native considers himself a possession receiver, and a safety net. He caught 90 balls over the past three seasons with the Golden Gophers, which is an impressive feat, considering they have been a run-oriented team under P.J. Fleck. Spann-Ford has length too, standing six-foot-six, weighing 262 pounds, to go along with an 80-inch wingspan. Which is why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he led Minnesota in receptions in 2022.
Spann-Ford is confident in the skills he brings to the next level, and believes his strengths are only going to improve in other areas along the way. Most importantly, he knows what the scouts want to see.
“Definitely the ability to make catches down the field, being violent when going up to catch footballs,” Spann-Ford said. “I’ve heard all week that I’m doing good in the run game, so just emphasizing my route-technique in the pass game, and that’ll make me more of a well-rounded tight end.”
He’s not afraid to admit that he watches several tight ends in the NFL, including Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce, because they’re versatile, and help their teams in a variety of ways. The former three-star prospect is proud that the Golden Gophers molded him into the football player he is today on and off the field. Fleck taught him a lot along the way, including character, and he wants to pay him back by representing the program well at the next level.
“It was amazing, he (Fleck) sets a real high standard for his players, and it’s really a life program,” he said. “Everything you’re doing is not always about football, it’s about life and becoming a better person overall, so I’m forever indebted to the Gopher football program, and the Row the Boat culture as well.”
Now the Minnesota native is shifting his focus to the NFL Scouting Combine. Spann-Ford has everyone’s attention after the way he played down in Mobile, and he wants to continue to improve his draft stock. It appears he has a high ceiling, and in the right offense, Spann-Ford can make an immediate splash like Sam LaPorta did for the Detroit Lions.
Regardless, he understands there’s more work to do, but is positive about what he accomplished for the scouts.
“Coming out here everyday competing, being physical, versatile and also communicating with each other, it’s not easy coming out and playing with someone you haven’t played with before, and not leaving guys out to dry.”
