Brandon Pettigrew Stats Scouting Report

SCOUTING REPORT: An excellent blocker as well as a more-than capable receiver, Pettigrew is the consensus top tight end in this year's draft. He finished his four-year career at Oklahoma State with 112 receptions for 1,450 yards and nine touchdowns in 47 games - receiving numbers which likely would have been higher had he not performed mostly a blocking role as an underclassman. Though he didn't find the end zone while hampered by an ankle injury in 2008, Pettigrew caught a career-high 42 passes for 472 yards to help the Cowboys go 9-4 in the ultra-competitive Big 12. Pettigrew was at his best against top-caliber competition as a senior. He posted season highs of eight receptions and 83 yards in a 28-24 loss at then-No. 1 Texas on Oct. 25, and caught seven passes for 72 yards against then-No. 2 Texas Tech two weeks later. He had six receptions for 51 yards in a 42-31 Holiday Bowl loss to Oregon. A very strong and athletic player, Pettigrew nonetheless ran a mildly disappointing time of 4.87 seconds in the 40 at the combine in February. Also potentially hurting his draft stock, he was arrested Jan. 20, 2008, on a felony charge of assault and battery of a police officer. However, Pettigrew is nearly certain to be drafted in the first round, and has a chance to join Kellen Winslow (2004) and Vernon Davis (2006) as the only tight ends this decade selected in the top 10 overall. -STATS

Sports Xchange Scouting Report

OVERVIEW:

Regarded by many as the most complete tight end in the 2009 NFL Draft, Pettigrew has not only proven to be a clutch short-area receiver, but an outstanding blocker. A physical open-field runner, he has gained more than 40 percent of his yardage after the catch. He has also shown his pedigree as a pass catcher, becoming the first tight end in school history to amass more than 100 receptions (112) in a career.

Playing for a team known more for its running game, Pettigrew is likely to become just the second tight end in school history to hear his name called in the first round of the draft, joining Reuben Gant (1974, Buffalo).

Playing in the Big 12 Conference, a league that has produced numerous NFL tight ends, many opposing coaches agree that Pettigrew is that rare breed with unlimited potential, regarding him as the best product to play that position since the league expanded from eight teams in 1996. Ranked ninth overall on the school's receiving yardage record list with 1,450, Pettigrew averaged more than 54 knockdown blocks per season for the Cowboys.

Pettigrew was one of three players from Robert E. Lee High School to earn All-State honors in 2003. Despite playing primarily as a blocker, he was rated as the best tight end in Texas by numerous recruiting services. The All-District and All-East Texas choice also competed on the defensive line.

Pettigrew enrolled at Oklahoma State in 2004, spending the season as a red-shirt after turning down offers from Texas A&M, Texas Christian, Southern Methodist and Arkansas. In 2005, he started nine games, including the last seven, for the Cowboys. He gained 128 yards with a touchdown on 11 catches (11.6 avg). He delivered 30 knockdowns and also recorded a solo tackle.

The following season, Pettigrew was firmly entrenched as the team's starting tight end, leading the squad with eight touchdown-resulting blocks. He finished third on the team with 24 receptions, gaining 310 yards (12.9 avg) with four touchdowns. He also excelled on special teams, recording six tackles (3 solos) and recovered a fumble.

As a junior, Pettigrew captured All-Big 12 Conference honors. He was credited 540 yards and four scores on 35 receptions (15.4 avg), third-best on the team. He paced the league's tight ends with 10 touchdown-resulting blocks and also made a solo tackle.

Off-field issues occupied most of Pettigrew's 2008 spring and summer, and he was further hampered by a high ankle sprain early in the campaign that would sideline him for three games. He was still named a finalist for the Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end. He snared a career-high 42 passes, ranking second on the squad. He totaled 472 yards (11.2 avg) with four touchdowns, as he posted 43 knockdowns and two solo tackles, but failed to score for the first time during his collegiate career.

With professional scouts regularly visiting Oklahoma State leading up to the draft, OSU tight ends coach Doug Meacham noted, "Brandon is a classic tight end. In the era of increasingly athletic players and spread offenses, the college tight end has become more of an oversized receiver. But not in Stillwater, where even in the spread, they run the ball nearly 50 times a game. In today's game, you see a lot of tight ends that split out a majority of the time. Brandon can go down inside and grind with the best of 'em, then he can get out and mismatch linebackers or safeties. He's an every-down guy.

"Once last season, Pettigrew came to the sidelines begging his coaches to call a play to his side of the field. A running play. That's what makes him special. Plenty of tight ends will beg for the ball, trying to get their receiving numbers up. But Pettigrew wants to win, whether he's scoring touchdowns or opening holes for others to score them."

Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor said, "With his 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame, athletic ability and soft hands, Pettigrew would have a future in the NFL. His brutally physical blocking makes him a likely first-round draft choice. I've had tight ends that like to catch and not block, and ones that could block, but couldn't catch. But I've never had the combination like this. Whatever NFL team takes him is going to have them a special gem."

ANALYSIS:

Positives: Prototype size for the position. Good overall musculature, yet has the frame to add additional mass. Physical and determined as a run blocker. Good initial pop and has the lateral quickness and upper body strength to sustain his blocks. Seems to enjoy the physical nature of blocking. Presents a large target to the quarterback and has strong, secure hands. Looks the pass in and quickly turns upfield to generate positive yardage after the catch. A mismatch for defenders due to his size and athleticism. Bullish runner who will drag defenders for extra yardage.

Negatives: Remains a bit raw in his technique considering he has started four years. Relies on his size and advantage in athleticism to get a clean release from the line of scrimmage and gain separation from defenders as a route-runner. Struggled with an ankle injury in 2008, failing to capitalize on his opportunity to break out as a senior. Held without a touchdown in 2008. Arrested for a felony charge of assault and battery of a police officer outside of a Stillwater, Okla. party on Jan. 20, 2008, but it appears to have been an isolated incident.

Compares To: JIMMY KLEINSASSER, Minnesota -- Pettigrew towers over Kleinsasser, but both are regarded as outstanding blockers with underrated short-area receiving skills. The OSU product does not have the speed to rank with the elite pass catchers, but few show the power blocking skills that he brings to the table. He has also shown he is a good chain mover in the short-yardage passing game. He will never be a Tony Gonzalez-type of receiver, but will bring some value catching underneath. But, his true value lies in the hardware he brings blocking for the ground game.

INJURY REPORT:

2006: Suffered a left leg contusion/ankle sprain vs. Missouri State (9/02).

2007: Suffered a hip bruise when he needlessly dived after scoring the game-winning touchdown vs. Texas Tech (9/22) and limped off the field.

2008: Saw minimal action vs. Missouri State (9/13) and sat out the Troy (9/27), Texas A&M (10/04) and Missouri (10/11) contests with a high ankle sprain.

CAREER NOTES:

Pettigrew started 45 of 47 games at Oklahoma State, recording 216 knockdowns with 30 touchdown-resulting blocks...Recorded 10 tackles (7 solos) with a fumble recovery... Scored 54 points on nine touchdown receptions...Became the first tight end in school history to catch more than 100 passes in a career, as his 112 receptions rank seventh overall in school history behind Rashaun Woods (293, 2000-03), Hart Lee Dykes (203. 1985-88), D'Juan Woods (163, 2002-2006), Adarius Bowman (127, 2006-2007), Neill Armstrong (115, 1943-46) and Hermann Eben (114, 1968-70)...Those 112 catches topped the previous school tight end record of 92 grabs by Alonzo Mayes (1994-97)...Placed eighth in OSU annals with 1,450 yards receiving, ranking behind Rashaun Woods (4.414), Dykes (3,171), D'Juan Woods (2,751), Bowman (2,187), Eben (1973), Curtis Mayfield (1,507; 1987-90) and Dick Graham (1,458; 1969-71)...His 1,450 yards surpassed the old school tight end record of 1,372 yards by Alonzo Mayes...His 42 receptions in 2008 were the most by an OSU tight end in a season and tied Jamie Harris (1983) and Robert Kirksey (1991) for the 16th-best season total on the school's overall record chart.

AGILITY TESTS:

Combine: 4.80 in the 40-yard dash...1.70 10-yard dash...2.70 20-yard dash...4.37 20-yard shuttle...7.12 three-cone drill...33-inch vertical jump...9'10" broad jump...Bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times...34 7/8-inch arm length...10 3/4-inch hands. ... Chose not to run 20-yard shuttle.

HIGH SCHOOL:

Attended Robert E. Lee (Tyler, Texas) High School, earning All-State honors in 2003... Despite playing primarily as a blocker, he was rated as the best tight end in Texas by numerous recruiting services...The All-District and All-East Texas choice also competed on the defensive line.

PERSONAL:

Education major...Son of Elaine and Henry Pettigrew...Born 2/23/85...Resides in Tyler, Texas.