NASHVILLE – The Titans selected Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle in the fifth round of Saturday's NFL Draft.
Whyle, selected with the 147th overall pick, is an athletic big man who proved in college he can make plays, scoring 15 touchdowns.
Whyle said he met Titans head coach Mike Vrabel several times in the past year, as Whyle's former college coach, Luke Fickell, was roommates with Vrabel at Ohio State.
"It was a good conversation (with Coach Vrabel)," Whyle said of his draft day call. "When that call came, I don't even know if he could understand what I was saying. My heart was pounding. It was a pretty cool moment. … We're both just excited for me to get down there and contribute any way I can to the team.
"(The Titans) like the idea that I can do a little bit of both – I can be an in-line blocker, and they can spread me out to be able to catch the ball. Not only that, but I think I have good special teams value."
Whyle (6-6 ½, 248), a former receiver who switched to tight end, caught 32 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns last season for the Bearcats. He caught 88 passes for 1,062 yards for 15 touchdowns in his college career. He was a first-team All-American Athletic Conference performer in 2022, when he played in 12 games, with 10 starts.
Whyle caught six touchdowns in both 2020 and 2021.
Whyle ranked 78th on Bruce Feldman's 2022 Freaks List for The Athletic (4.65 in the 40, 35.5" vertical, 10'3" broad, 20 mph on GPS, 16 reps of 225).
"I'm 6-6, 250 and I think I can move really well," Whyle said. "Growing up I played every sport you can imagine. My parents started me out in gymnastics when I was young, but I played basketball and football throughout high school. Football is something that I've always been good at, and it's something I've always found fun, which I think is really important.
"If you are going to play this game and make a career out of it, you have to have fun with it."
The Titans selected Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle in the fifth round of Saturday's NFL Draft.
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle, right, catches a pass as he is tackled by Miami (Ohio) defensive back Matthew Salopek during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) in action during an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) makes a touchdown while followed by Temple's Liam Besecker during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) runs a route as Central Florida defensive back Divaad Wilson (9) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) runs with the ball during the second half of an American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Desmond Ridder, not visible, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) plays during an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle makes a catch against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
