Former Husker Tight End Thomas Fidone Impressing Early During Senior Bowl Practices

The Council Bluffs native is aiming to take the next step and become the first Nebraska tight end to be drafted since 2002.
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone turns up field after catching a short pass against Rutgers.
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone turns up field after catching a short pass against Rutgers. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN
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Thomas Fidone's National Football League dreams are continuing to trend in the right direction after finishing his career with Nebraska.

Following the first two days of practice at the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl, Fidone is drawing early rave reviews from journalists and draftniks alike. The Council Bluffs native began his Senior Bowl experience measuring at 6-foot-4, 3/8 inches and weighing in at 241 pounds. He added a hand measurement of 10 3/4 inches, with an arm length of 34 inches and wingspan of 6-foot-10 and 1/2 inches. His wingspan and hand measurements were the largest among the tight end group competing in Mobile.

After the opening day, BleacherReport draft scout Dame Parson noted the former Husker as a Day One standout for the offensive skill positions. Parson commented that, "at first glance, Fidone looked like a potential block-first tight end but shut that thought down quickly." Parson continued his praise, adding that Fidone "ran good routes and caught the ball confidently."

Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Thomas Fidone II (24) fights for yards
Dec 28, 2024; Bronx, NY, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Thomas Fidone II (24) fights for yards as Boston College Eagles defensive back KP Price (20) pursues during the second half at Yankee Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

"If practice included live tackling sessions, Fidone would have been a bull in a China shop. He transitioned from receiver to runner quickly while sitll prepared for contact," Parson said.

Fidone showcased his physicality and receiver skills in a clip posted on Wednesday, as the tight end won a man-to-man coverage drill against former Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler.

Daniel Harms, a draft scout for the Draft Network, commented that "Thomas Fidone is making some money here in Mobile." Fidone has primarily been working with the American team quarterbacks, including Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Alabama's Jalen Milroe, Notre Dame's Riley Leonard, and Memphis' Seth Henigan. The Nebraska alum has stood out in his tight end class in Mobile, ahead of Jake Briningstool of Clemson, Alabama's CJ Dippre, and Jackson Hawes of Georgia Tech.

Mason Taylor of LSU has also had notable reps in front of scouts, receiving his own media appearances in the early stretches of practices.

Due to his early performances, A to Z Sports has moved Fidone up in their tight end rankings. The Husker is listed at No. 7 behind Taylor, Elijah Arroyo of Miami, Terrance Ferguson of Oregon, Briningstool, Harold Fannin Jr. of Bowling Green, and Gavin Bartholomew of Pittsburgh. The site added that Fidone "made one impressive diving, sliding grab" and added other impressive plays on Wednesday.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) breaks up a pass to Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Thomas Fidone II
Oct 5, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) breaks up a pass to Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Thomas Fidone II (24) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Fidone is aiming to be the first tight end drafted from Nebraska since Tracey Wistrom's selection in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wistrom was picked in the seventh round in 2002. There have been 15 tight ends selected from Nebraska in the NFL Draft since 1966.

Most draft boards have Fidone listed lower in ratings due to his injuries throughout his collegiate career - including two major knee injuries that ended his first two seasons in Lincoln. A to Z added that Fidone's "raw athleticism is clearly still there" giving the Husker a chance to continue to shine at the Senior Bowl.

Fidone, along with defensive teammates Ty Robinson and Tommi Hill, will compete in the 76th annual Senior Bowl on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of South Alabama. The final practices will wrap up this week with the game televised and broadcast on the NFL Network at 1:30 p.m. CST. The tight end will compete against Robinson and Hill, as Fidone will play for the American team while the former Blackshirts are competing on the National team.


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Austin Jacobsen
AUSTIN JACOBSEN

Austin Jacobsen is a radio broadcaster and former Sports Director in Central Nebraska. He has seen the Cornhusker state from all corners; growing up in the Panhandle, completing his college degree in Kearney, working in the rural Sandhills, and now residing in Omaha. Austin is a statewide, regional, and national radio award winner and can usually be found at a high school football field on Friday nights and tuning in to the Huskers wherever they travel. If he is not on the road, Austin enjoys movie dates with his girlfriend and their dog, Ava.