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1:38Why Kirby Smart Deserved Top Spot Over Curt Cignetti
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1:22Elite 11 Finals Draft: Indiana Commit Jameson Purcell - Pick #11
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1:29Why Cignetti Is Ranked No. 1 Coach Over Kirby Smart
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1:39What to Expect: Michigan under Kyle Whittingham
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9:35Chip Patterson's Big Ten CFB Power Rankings
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11:28Best Fits for Top Prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft
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0:58CFP Projection: Defending champion Indiana draws Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss in first round
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1:02Brad Crawford's 2026 CFP Projection: Notre Dame Bounces Back, Gets 1st Round Bye In CFP
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8:57Top 10 Offensive Prospects For 2027 NFL Draft
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1:22Jeremiah Smith: No. 1 Offensive Prospect for 2027 Draft
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0:59Why Josh Hoover and Darian Mensah Are Set Up To Win A Title
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0:55No Surprise: QB's Dominate The Transfer Market
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11:01The Cleveland Browns 2026 Season Preview
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0:325-Star Recruitment Rundown: WR Monshun Sales
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11:13Biggest Questions Facing the AFC South Post-Draft
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8:51Chip Patterson's Post-Spring College Football Power Rankings
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8:56Under The Radar Names For 2027 NFL Draft
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1:50CFB Storylines: Indiana Reloads In The Transfer Portal
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11:21What's Next For 2026 NFL Season?
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1:26What's Next For 2026 NFL Season: Aaron Rodgers Signs With Steelers
Draft Scouting Report
Pro Comparison: Brayden Willis
Summary
Riley Nowakowski is a versatile "do-it-all" tight end who played a vital role in Indiana's historic run to the national title game. After beginning his career as a walk-on at Wisconsin, he developed into a reliable security blanket for his quarterback. Whether lining up as a traditional tight end or a fullback, his strong hands and ability to gain yards after the catch make him a valuable offensive weapon.
About
- 2025: Won CFP national championship with Indiana
- 2025: 32 receptions, 387 yards, two receiving TD, two rushing TD
Strengths
- Reliable hands with the ability to catch away from his body.
- Impressive straight-line speed and playmaking ability after the catch.
- Highly effective blocker in space and on the perimeter.
Weaknesses
- Average strength as an inline blocker against larger defensive ends.
- Most of his receiving production is limited to short-intermediate routes.
- Lacks high-end lateral shiftyness to create quick separation in man coverage.
Combine Data
- 40-yard dash: 4.66 seconds
- Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
- Broad jump: 9 feet, 11 inches
Top Riley Nowakowski News
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Steelers' Riley Nowakowski: Picked by Pittsburgh
The Steelers selected Nowakowski in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 169th overall.
Nowakowski (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) was a standout tight end at Indiana and before that Wisconsin, and with this selection the Steelers might have picked Nowakowski to be their replacement for Connor Heyward, who left for the Raiders in free agency. Nowakowski looks more like a fullback than a tight end, and if he's replacing Heyward then the Steelers might have concluded the same thing.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-2, 250 lbs |
| Birthplace: Milwaukee, WI |
| Age: 23 |