Nebraska TE Travis Vokolek to sign deal following NFL Draft

Nebraska tight end Travis Vokolek is set to sign with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, a source told On3’s Matt Zenitz. Voklek didn’t hear his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft.

Vokolek spent his first two college seasons at Rutgers. Over those two seasons, he snagged 17 passes for 198 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

He transferred to Nebraska after the 2018 season and sat out the 2019 campaign due to transfer rules at the time. During that year, he was the Offensive Scout Team MVP for the team.

Over the last three seasons, the 6-foot-7 Vokolek has been a key contributor to the Cornhuskers offense. With 2021 Kwalick–Clark Tight End of the Year Austin Allen in the tight end room with him, Vokolek still managed to start seven games in 2020 and 2021.

His last season this past fall was his best season, catching 20 balls for 240 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

However, he fractured his foot against Iowa in the final game of the season.

Vokolek attended Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo in high school, where he was a three-star recruit. In the 2017 On3 Industry Ranking, Vokolek ranked as the No. 1672 overall recruit and No. 83 tight end. The On3 Industry is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services. The On3 Industry Ranking is the most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement in the industry. 

Nebraska had three players drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. Center Cam Jurgens was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 51st overall pick in the second round. He played in 17 games as a backup last season as the Eagles made the Super Bowl.

Safety Cam Taylor-Britt was drafted nine picks later by the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay picked wide receiver Samori Toure in the seventh round.

What NFL draft analysts are saying about Travis Vokolek

NFL.com Lance Zierlein says Travis Vokolek has potential as a draft pick but needs to improve to find himself on an NFL roster come the start of the season.

“Vokolek always seems to be in a big hurry, which causes him to play without the technique and body control he needs to maintain consistency at the point of attack,” Zierlein said in his scouting report. “He has great size but lacks the wingspan and hand strength to impose that size as a block-sustainer. Vokolek is a below-average receiving threat, so he will need to improve his technique and his performance as a run blocker to win a spot as an in-line option off the bench or on a practice squad.”