Gavin Bartholomew appeared in 49 of Pitt’s 52 games over the past four seasons, starting 41 and having at least one catch in all but seven of them.
“I feel great,” Bartholomew said prior to performing drills among fellow tight ends at the NFL combine earlier this year. “I’ve been fortunate not to get injured seriously like that. I feel great, I’m always ready to play no matter what the injury is. If I can play, I’m going to play.”
Where Bartholomew next will get a chance to play is in the NFL after the Minnesota Vikings selected him with the 202nd overall pick in the sixth round of the draft Saturday.
As a senior captain in 2024, the 6-foot-5, 246-pound Bartholomew had a career-high 38 catches last season to give him 104 for 1,248 yards and 11 touchdowns in his college career.
Bartholomew was the 12th tight end taken among what was regarded as a fine incoming crop at the position.
“It’s great to be considered one of strongest tight end classes,” Bartholomew said. “I’ve been trying to (have) my best year and get my stock up.
“I feel like showing my athleticism, that I’m an all-around tight end and very versatile.”