2025 NFL Draft: Caden Prieskorn signs with Detroit Lions as undrafted free agent

Ole Miss tight end Caden Prieskorn has found a new home with one of the best teams in the NFC — the Detroit Lions, according to Fox Sports Jordan Schultz. Prieskorn joins one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL but will have to fight for his roster spot as an undrafted free agent signing.

Prieskorn was not rated coming out of high school. But a few years were spent with the Memphis Tigers before entering the NCAA transfer portal. That’s when Ole Miss decided to jump on the opportunity to sign the tight end.

Per the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings, Prieskorn was the No. 48 overall player to enter in the 2023 cycle. When just looking at tight ends, only three guys were ranked higher than Prieskorn. Plenty of other schools were interested in his services but the Rebels were able to win out.

The move paid off, as Lane Kiffin was able to turn Prieskorn into a productive player. He caught 57 passes for 850 yards and seven touchdowns during his two seasons in Oxford.

“It’s been pretty crazy (and) a cool journey with a lot of ups and downs,” Prieskorn said of his college football career. “Being a walk-on and working your way up then transferring. Other stuff like getting hurt and losing my dad has just been such an up-and-down roller coaster. I’m so thankful for everybody in this building (and) everybody I’ve come across throughout my journey in college football. I’m just blessed.”

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Caden Prieskorn

Ahead of the draft, a full scouting report was provided on Prieskorn via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. A prospect score of 5.67 was assigned to the now-former Ole Miss tight end, meaning he will be a “candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad.” Zierlein also gave Prieskorn a seventh-round projection, best case, while saying going undrafted was a possibility.

“Prieskorn has the size and frame of an in-line tight end, but he lacks the grit and blocking ability to man that spot in the NFL right now,” Zierlein said. “Most of his catch production came from scheme or zone beaters. He’s sluggish into his routes and lacks the separation talent to get open against NFL man coverage. As a run blocker, he can neutralize more passive defenders but struggles with opponents who are aggressive and strong. He has quality ball skills but the blocking and aggression will need to pick up to warrant a roster spot.”