Troy Fumagalli

A two-year starter at Wisconsin, Fumagalli was groomed as a complete tight end in Paul Chryst’s pro-style offense, leading the team in receptions each of the last two seasons. With his experience inline, detached and in motion, there isn’t much he will be asked to do in the NFL that he hasn’t done already. And Wisconsin has a proven track record of producing NFL-quality tight ends as Fumagalli will be the sixth Badgers tight end drafted since 2006. Fumagalli, who has only nine fingers, relies more on his route-running than athleticism to get open, using soft hands to be a dependable target. He is a try-hard blocker and deserves credit for his effort, toughness and technique, but lacks the frame or strength to overwhelm defenders. BACKGROUND A three-star tight end recruit out of high school, Fumagalli was a productive tight end and defensive end at Waubonsie Valley, but at only 215 pounds, he went largely overlooked as a recruit – was baseball-first until surgery on his pitching elbow forced him to focus primarily on football. He received attention from MAC programs, but Wisconsin gave him the opportunity to gray shirt, meaning he would walk on with the hope of earning a scholarship when available. Despite schools like NC State and Minnesota offering him a full ride late in the process, Fumagalli had his mind set on Wisconsin, walking on and redshirting in 2013. He played in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman, including two starts, and posted 14 catches for 187 yards. Fumagalli started four games as a sophomore and recorded 28 passes for 313 yards and his first career touchdown. He became the full-time starting tight end as a junior in 2016 and set career-highs in receptions (47) and receiving yards (580), earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. Fumagalli returned for his senior season and finished with 46 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns and was named the Big Ten’s Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year, earning First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team All-America honors.

in our view

Fumagalli has physical limitations and isn’t a big play threat, but he takes pride in being a complete player and his crafty routes and reliable ball skills will be his calling card to an extended pro career.

strengths

Vacuum hands. Reliable focus on throws away from his body. Seasoned route-runner. Sharp footwork at the stem to square off patterns. Deftly uses hesitation and timing mid-route to hide his intentions. High effort blocker. Uses sound hand technique and body position to engage/seal. Alert to quickly locate and slow defenders in space. Experienced inline and detached. Former walk-on (earned scholarship prior to the 2015 season) and finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy (nation’s top walk-on). Determined to out-working others and hone his craft. Graduated with a degree in finance (May 2017). Senior captain with the competitive make-up that earns respect in the locker room. Steady production the last two seasons as a starter. – Dane Brugler 1/21/2018

weaknesses

Lacks an explosive gear. Not a dynamic athlete before or after the catch. Only adequate leaping skills. Lacks the run power to break tackles. Needs to get stronger to handle routine NFL blocking assignments. Too easily redirected, giving up the edge. Dominated in short-yardage. Missed one game as a senior due to an injured left hamstring (Sept. 2017) – also missed time as a sophomore due to a broken thumb (Oct. 2015) that required surgery. Average statistical resume with only two 100-yard games and zero 110-yard games in his career. Not a proven playmaker with only one catch of 25+ yards in 2017, scoring a touchdown only once every 19.3 catches in college. Missing the index finger on his left (dominant) hand due to Amniotic Band Syndrome, requiring amputation at birth. – Dane Brugler 1/21/2018

Three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and Scout

ranked as No. 32 tight end in class by ESPN

finished career with 172 tackles, four sacks and six deflected passes

also had 64 receptions for 1,770 yards

also lettered in baseball

academic all-state selection

four-time academic all-conference honoree

high honor roll student

coach was Paul Murphy.

Parents are Doug and Char Fumagalli

father played football at Holy Cross

brother, Drew, played baseball at Dayton

brother, Ross, played football at Dayton

participated in Link Crew and Young Life

volunteered with Feed My Starving Children and Harvest Sunday collections

hobbies are golf and biking

finance, investment and banking major.

2017

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
46.0	11.9	4.0	44.0	547.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0

2016

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
47.0	12.3	2.0	30.0	580.0

2015

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
28.0	11.2	1.0	31.0	313.0