Latest news with #Fidone
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Nebraska tight end praises head coach Matt Rhule for preparing him for the NFL
Former Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II enters his first season in the NFL after a long college career with the Huskers. The seventh-round pick by the New York Giants is doing a lot in his transition to the NFL and didn't hesitate to praise head coach Matt Rhule for preparing him for the next level. Fidone emerged from high school ranked as the No. 1 tight end in the 2021 recruiting class, but ran into numerous roadblocks on the collegiate level, tearing an ACL in the spring of 2021 before suffering a second knee injury in 2022. He then finally got the opportunity to play in 2023, Rhule's first year at Nebraska, and caught 25 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns, the most touchdown grabs by a Husker tight end in over a decade. He then exceeded those numbers in 2024, hauling in 36 passes for 373 yards. Fidone emphasized the transition from college to the NFL, including learning a new playbook, and Rhule's experience in the league has played a key part in helping him prepare. 'I would say the biggest thing would be coach Rhule,' Fidone said in an interview with KETV reporter Matt Sottile. 'The offense and the mindset that he brought definitely helped the transition in terms of the playbook and what they expect from you on the next level." Following the 2024 season, Fidone declared for the NFL draft and was selected by the Giants. He also joined his teammates at the recently concluded "Tight Ends University," hosted by George Kittle and Travis Kelce, with the latter praising Fidone's play. "He told me I was extremely athletic and moved extremely well. He told me that the top of my routes was good. He didn't say it like that, but he said it. So, just being able to hear that from him was cool," Fidone said. Rhule received numerous calls from NFL teams prior to the draft regarding Fidone. The third-year head coach also praised Fidone for his perseverance and encouraged him to declare for the draft. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants' Thomas Fidone caught the eye of Travis Kelce at Tight End U
Rookie Thomas Fidone II was one of four New York Giants players to attend this year's Tight End University, hosted by Kansas City Chiefs veteran Travis Kelce, San Francisco 49ers superstar George Kittle, and retired great Greg Olson. Fidone was joined by teammates Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, and Chris Manhertz, but it was he who apparently caught Kelce's attention. "I got some pretty cool compliments from Kecle, just out of the blue," Fidone told KETV. "He told me I was extremely athletic and moved extremely well. He told me that the top of my routes were really good. He didn't say it like that, but he said it. So, just being able to hear that from him was cool. "I thought it was awesome being able to just connect and make connections with all the guys around there. . . . Being able to meet with the guys, workout with them, get different input from everyone, and kind of see how they do things differently. Each tight end is different and has different skill sets and strong suits, so it's fun to be able to learn from them." In addition to sharing the praise he received from Kelce, Fidone, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, also credited current Nebraska head coach and former Giants assistant Matt Rhule for being NFL-ready. "I would say the biggest thing would be coach Rhule and the offense that he brought to Nebraska, the NFL offense, and the mindset that he brought definitely helped the transition," Fidone said. "And also what they expect of you at the next level." Several serious injuries limited Fidone's time on the field in college, so it allowed him to work on the mental side of things. Now healthy, he hopes to combine the two and become a viable option for the Giants and their brand-new quarterback room.
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule says he's received more calls about 'this player' than anyone
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule says he's received more calls about 'this player' than anyone Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule gave a strong endorsement to former Husker tight end Thomas Fidone, who could be selected in the NFL draft. The draft itself begins this Thursday. Fidone had a whirlwind Huskers career, which was marred by injuries. Nevertheless, he was able to find his way onto the field over the last two seasons. He was a valuable piece of the Huskers' offense in 2024 and recorded 36 catches for 373 yards. For his Nebraska career, he recorded 61 catches for 633 yards and four touchdowns. The tight end declared for the NFL draft in January. Rhule credited the tight end for persevering in a major way, as he spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon. "There's no one more loyal than Fidone. I'm excited for him. He's going to get drafted, I think. I've gotten more calls on him. He's an unbelievably freaky athlete. He took probably the toughest shot to the knee – I saw the practice rep and almost threw up. No disrespect to the kid who did it, I've just never seen anything like it. Sometimes, you see vitriol on Twitter for that kid. Why, because he was a five-star and you wanted a little more? That's tough. I think he's an amazing, amazing young man." The head coach of the Huskers went on to say that he encouraged the tight end to enter the draft and has already heard from multiple NFL teams about the prospect. "I encouraged him to go to the NFL. I remember my call with Matt Nagy at the Senior Bowl. I said 'I think if you can get him in at the Senior Bowl, we're going to tell him to go pro.' He was like 'why?' I just didn't want to see him have another knee thing. He had two of the toughest injuries and he's fought back and he's carried it on his shoulders and he's so loyal. He plays hard and his best football is ahead of him. I'm excited for him.' It will certainly be interesting to see where Fidone goes. This is a lighter tight end draft class, and that could work to his advantage. His playmaking ability and his ability to be a red zone threat are things that could get him to the NFL. Time will tell where he goes in the draft itself. Regardless, he has put together a remarkable story and was an instrumental building block for the program at a time when it needed playmakers. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
27-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft: Saints schedule top 30 visit with Nebraska tight end sleeper
2025 NFL draft: Saints schedule top 30 visit with Nebraska tight end sleeper Here's another name to add to the New Orleans Saints' list of official 30 visits: Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II. Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline reports that Fidone has scheduled a formal visit at the Saints' headquarters in Metairie. In addition to this official visit coming up with the Saints, Pauline says Fidone has received a lot of attention from the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, and that he'll also work out privately for the Buffalo Bills. He's projected to be picked on the third day of this year's draft. Fidone previously competed at the Senior Bowl, on the American Team with Saints associate head coach/running backs coach Joel Thomas (who worked the event as the American Team offensive coordinator), so he's someone they've had contact with before. Fidone was once seen as the top tight end on the high school recruiting circuit, and his performance at this year's NFL Scouting Combine confirmed the athleticism that made college coaches so excited. He weighed in at 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds before timing the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds flat, with outstanding numbers in the jumps and agility drills. That all combined for a rare 9.41 Relative Athletic Score (on a scale of 1 to 10), a metric which closely aligns with the Saints' own in-house standards. Knee injuries kept Fidone off the field his first few years at Nebraska, but he played a key role in Matt Rhule's offense when the new head coach arrived in 2023. Fidone broke out with 25 catches for 260 yards that season and leveled up to catch 36 passes for 373 yards last year. He's got the look of someone whose best football is still ahead of him, but that's why he's a third-day pick instead of a second-day prospect.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Tight end Thomas Fidone shines at Nebraska Pro Day
Nebraska football tight end Thomas Fidone had an impressive showing at his pro day on Tuesday, as he looks to continue his preparation for the NFL draft. Fidone had a solid season for the football program last year. He recorded six catches for 373 yards last season. All told, he recorded 61 receptions for 633 yards and four touchdowns during his time in Lincoln. Now, he was looking to impress at his pro day, in front of teams and scouts. He was able to put together an impressive combine showing at the beginning of the month, and now he is looking to continue his upward trend. He was able to show his explosiveness during drills. It will be interesting to see as the solid showings at these showcases will be able to elevate his draft stock. This is a lighter tight end class, and that could work in his favor. Strong day for Thomas Fidone in this setting Moving well, lining up in-line and out wide, sure-handed, explosive in and out of breaks. Hard not to see why he's emerging as a potential mid-to-late round pick — Tim Verghese (@TimVerghese) March 25, 2025 This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Former Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone shines at Huskers Pro Day
