Grant Haviland

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-5, 225 lbs. Taller than 35% and heavier than 35% of 2027 Tight End prospects in the SEC Scouts database (20 with a listed size).

Play Style

A complete, effort-driven Y tight end in a run-heavy, physical program. His value starts as a blocker: he will base-block and down-block at the point of attack, kick out from the wing and climb to linebackers. He embraces the dirty work, according to his coach. As a receiver he is a play-action seam and boundary threat more than a high-volume chain mover, using his length and catch radius to win down the field (14.3 YPC). He fits best as a flexible tight end who can line up in-line, at H-back or flexed to the slot. Defenses then can't read run or pass from his alignment.

Strengths

• Willing, physical run blocker: Milton coach Ben Reaves calls him a 'blue-collar and team-first guy' who accepts unglamorous blocking assignments. That trait is scarce among highly rated TEs and lets him play early in 12- and 13-personnel packages.
• Vertical receiving threat for his size: his junior line of 24 catches, 343 yards and 4 TD (14.3 YPC) shows he can win down the seam rather than only working the flat. Vanderbilt told him they see him 'helping the offense in the run game and then being able to go make a play vertically.'
• Winning pedigree and high-level competition: he is a two-time state champion in metro Atlanta's top classification and has seen elite defenders every week.
• Football IQ and coachability: a 3.9 GPA and a team-first reputation point to quick learning of the protection rules, motions and alignment flexibility a multiple Y/F tight end role requires.

Areas to Improve

• Receiving volume and route polish: 24 catches is modest production for a top-15 TE. He needs to show a fuller route tree (option routes, stick, corner, sharp breaks against man coverage) and more consistent separation, not mainly play-action seams.
• Play strength and anchor: at 225-235 he must add mass and lower-body power to sustain blocks against SEC edge defenders and to pass-protect. Today he wins with effort and leverage more than raw power.
• Verified athletic testing: without published laser times or agility numbers, it is unclear whether he has the speed to be a matchup detached tight end or projects mainly as an in-line Y.

College Projection

He should enroll at Vanderbilt in 2027 and join a staff that has developed tight ends well. He has cited Eli Stowers, who broke out as a Vandy TE, as a model. Realistically he plays special teams and 12/13-personnel blocking snaps as a true freshman, ideally keeping a redshirt via the four-game rule. A rotational role should come in year 2, once he has added 15-20 pounds through strength and conditioning. He projects as a starting Y tight end by year 3, with SEC all-conference potential if his route-running develops along with his blocking.

NFL Outlook

He has a legitimate Day 3 draft path, with Day 2 upside. The NFL values tight ends who block in-line and threaten the seam, and willing blocking at 6-5 is the hardest trait to teach. His draft ceiling depends on reaching about 250 pounds while keeping his seam speed, and on adding more receiving production in college. If he tests well (4.6s in the 40 at 250) and becomes a 40-plus-catch college player, a Day 2 grade is realistic. Without that, he still profiles as a long-career TE2 or blocking specialist.

Best Fit

A pro-style or multiple offense that uses 12 and 13 personnel and gets its passing game from play-action, where tight ends must block and also threaten the field vertically. Vanderbilt's scheme with Jared Curtis at quarterback, and its recent TE development, fits him well. He would be underused in a spread, 11-personnel offense that treats the tight end as a big slot receiver.