College Tight End Stats Comparison: Juwan Johnson vs David Njoku vs Hunter Henry

The transition from college football to the NFL often depends on not just raw athleticism, but also how well a player performed at the collegiate level, especially in terms of production, consistency, and impact. In this article, we compare three tight ends (or in Juwan Johnson’s case, a player who transitioned to tight end eventually) — Juwan Johnson, David Njoku, and Hunter Henry — focusing on their college stats, development, strengths, and how their performances foreshadowed their professional careers.

Introduction

Tight ends occupy a unique role in modern football: they must block, run routes, catch passes, and sometimes serve as safety valves or mismatches. Evaluating tight end prospects means looking for production in college, but also how a player grew, adapted to higher levels of competition, and displayed versatility.

Here we compare three different players:

• Juwan Johnson — began as a wide receiver at Penn State and Oregon, later converted to tight end in the NFL.
• David Njoku — a polished athlete at Miami (FL) who declared early for the NFL draft.
• Hunter Henry — a standout at Arkansas, decorated with awards and consistent production.

This breakdown examines their college careers, statistical arcs, strengths, development, and what those numbers suggested about their NFL readiness.

Juwan Johnson: College Career and Stats

Juwan Johnson played college football at Penn State (2015‑2018) before transferring to Oregon for his senior year (2019). His time in college showcased steady development and eventual versatility.

College Receiving Stats (per season)

Cumulatively, Johnson recorded approximately 109 receptions for ~1,520 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns in his college career.

Highlights and Notes

• At Penn State, Johnson became the 32nd player in program history to exceed 1,000 career receiving yards.
• He ranked 27th in school history by career receiving yards (~1,123 yards) before transferring.
• During his Oregon season, Johnson produced 30 catches for 467 yards, showing an uptick in efficiency.
• His average yards per catch steadily increased, reflecting improved downfield usage.
• Although his touchdown totals were modest, his yardage and first‑down production made him a reliable option.

Observations on Johnson’s College Profile

Johnson’s path was not as flashy in terms of touchdowns. However, his improvement in efficiency, ability to secure first downs, and consistency made him a solid prospect. His senior-year performance at Oregon created additional NFL interest even though he went undrafted. Importantly, his size (6′4″, ~231 lbs) and receiving skills highlighted his potential to transition into a tight end role at the next level.

David Njoku: College Career and Stats

David Njoku played for the University of Miami (FL). After redshirting in 2014, he played in 2015 and 2016 before declaring for the NFL Draft.

College Receiving Stats (per season)

Highlights and Notes

• Njoku’s yards per catch were impressive (~16.6), signaling big-play potential.
• His production grew drastically from 2015 to 2016, doubling receptions and notching 8 touchdowns.
• After his 2016 breakout, he declared early for the NFL Draft.
• The Cleveland Browns selected him in the first round (29th overall) in 2017.
• Njoku’s athleticism, paired with red zone dominance, made him one of the top tight end prospects in his class.

Observations on Njoku’s College Profile

Njoku displayed not just solid production, but also rapid improvement. His ability to stretch the field and his mismatch potential justified his early entry into the draft. While his college résumé was shorter than others, his explosive performances outweighed concerns about experience.

Hunter Henry: College Career and Stats

Hunter Henry played at the University of Arkansas from 2013 through 2015. After three strong seasons, he declared for the NFL Draft and earned multiple accolades.

College Receiving Stats (per season)

Highlights and Notes

• Henry’s career receiving yardage (1,661) ranks among the best for Arkansas tight ends.
• He became one of just eight SEC tight ends to record over 100 receptions.
• In 2015, Henry won the John Mackey Award, given to the best tight end in college football.
• That same year, he was also named a Unanimous All-American.
• Fans still remember his role in Arkansas’s famous fourth‑and‑25 lateral play versus Ole Miss.

Observations on Henry’s College Profile

Henry’s college career combined production with national recognition. His steady progression — from 28 catches as a freshman to 51 as a junior — made him reliable and dangerous. Playing in the SEC further proved his ability against elite competition. Consequently, he became a safe and attractive NFL prospect.

Comparative Analysis

Production & Efficiency

• Receptions: Johnson (~109), Njoku (64), Henry (116).
• Yards per catch: Johnson (~14), Njoku (~16.6), Henry (~14.3).
• Touchdowns: Johnson (2), Njoku (9), Henry (9).

Njoku stood out for explosive efficiency, while Henry brought consistent production. Johnson, meanwhile, contributed more as a steady chain-mover.

Physical Profile & Role

• Johnson: 6′4″, ~231 lbs — originally a wide receiver, later shifted into a tight end role.
• Njoku: 6′4″, ~246 lbs — an athletic mismatch with strong red zone usage.
• Henry: 6′5″, ~253 lbs — a prototypical tight end with blocking and receiving skills.

Awards and Recognition

• Henry: Mackey Award, All-American honors.
• Njoku: No major awards but still a first-round pick due to athletic upside.
• Johnson: No awards, yet proved value through adaptability and consistency.

Draft Reflection

• Njoku: First-round pick, 2017.
• Henry: Second-round pick, 2016.
• Johnson: Undrafted in 2020, but still earned an NFL roster spot.

Key Takeaways

When analyzing tight end prospects, stats provide only part of the picture. Production matters, but so do context, growth trajectory, and adaptability.

• Hunter Henry: low-risk, decorated, highly consistent.
• David Njoku: high-upside athlete with explosive playmaking.
• Juwan Johnson: steady contributor who thrived through adaptability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which player had the best yards per catch in college?
A: David Njoku had the highest average at ~16.6 yards per reception.

Q2. Who recorded the most receptions?
A: Hunter Henry led with 116 catches across three seasons.

Q3. Which player faced the toughest competition?
A: Henry, who played in the SEC, competed against some of the nation’s toughest defenses.

Q4. Is going undrafted a disadvantage?
A: Yes, but not insurmountable. Juwan Johnson is proof that adaptability and work ethic can secure an NFL career even without draft status.

Q5. Do college awards affect draft stock?
A: Awards like the Mackey Award or All-American honors often improve a prospect’s draft outlook by validating their production.

Q6. Can college stats predict NFL success?
A: Not entirely. Stats highlight usage and ability, but factors like athleticism, versatility, and system fit are equally important.

Conclusion

The college tight end stats comparison between Juwan Johnson, David Njoku, and Hunter Henry demonstrates how different paths can lead to the NFL. Henry showcased the safest résumé with accolades and consistent play. Njoku flashed high‑end athleticism and scoring ability, which secured him a first-round selection. Johnson, though less celebrated statistically, showed adaptability that ultimately earned him a spot in the league.

Therefore, when evaluating tight ends, it is crucial to consider not only receptions, yards, and touchdowns, but also growth, versatility, and competitive environment. Stats reveal trends, but determination and adaptability often define who thrives in the NFL.