USFL Player Evaluation of Indiana TE Riley Nowakowski by Luke Staton
Riley Nowakowski is a 6 ‘2, 250-pound tight end from Indiana University. The Wisconsin native played high school football at Marquette High School in Milwaukee, where he would finish his high school career as a zero-star recruit despite winning the John Anderson Award in 2019, which was awarded to the state’s best high school linebacker. He would walk on at the University of Wisconsin, where he was listed as a linebacker and saw limited action on special teams. In 2022, he would switch to fullback, playing on offense and special teams. In 2023, he would convert again to tight end and earn a scholarship roster spot. He would remain in Wisconsin for the 2024 season before transferring again to Indiana for the 2025 season. He would be an Academic All-Big 10 from 2021 to 2024, and in 2025, would be nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s best player who began as a walk-on. Despite not winning, he would add a Second-Team All-Big 10 Award and a National Championship ring with the Hoosiers in a season where he hauled in 32 receptions for 387 yards and 2 touchdowns. Primarily a blocking tight end, he would finish his career with 50 receptions and 3 total touchdowns.
First, the obvious – Nowakowski’s bread and butter is his blocking. In a league that has shifted heavily toward athletic receiving tight ends, the ability to block has become increasingly coveted in the NFL as more dynamic receiving tight ends have entered the league. It is a niche where many players have made a good living, and Nowakowski can be no different. At Indiana, he was able to seal the edges on runs and create lanes for his running backs at a high level. He has great tenacity, as he keeps his feet moving and can drive defenders off of the line of scrimmage. He is average at climbing to the second level – he was never asked to do this much, but when he needed to, it was not something that he could do consistently. Oftentimes, he would get caught on his first block and not climb to the linebackers, but other times had no problems getting to the linebackers. He was solid in pass protection as well, he can not contend with edge rushers alone due to his smaller frame and limited arm length, but he is still capable of contributing in pass protection on double teams or against blitzing linebackers and safeties.
Nowakoski is not a dynamic receiver, with a below-average route tree composed largely of drags, short stops, and slants. He has an average block-and-release, as he understands leverage well enough to help the tackle before he breaks off and runs his route. He has an average zone feel; sometimes he finds the soft spot in coverage, but other times he drifts right into coverage. He has solid hands as well, featuring a solid catch radius that you would expect from someone of his size, and he did not drop the ball once this season, which is impressive on its own but especially for a blocking tight end. He features average run after the catch ability as well, displaying the ability to get some yards after the catch but will not burn anyone or make space with his speed alone.
Nowakowski is a pure blocking tight end who brings strong blocking, grit, and solid receiving to a team. He is a reliable blocker, especially in the run game, and can be called on in the passing game.
Scheme Fit and Team Fit
Nowakowski fits best in a power-run-based scheme that emphasizes running the ball to create opportunities in the short and intermediate areas of the field, with a focus on ball security and clock control. For that reason, he would be best suited to playing for the Ravens or the Jets. The Ravens have a massive hole at tight end with the departures of Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, so Nowakowski would make an immediate impact in the run game. The Jets have major uncertainty at the position as well, with Conklin being more of a receiving threat and the rest of the room being relatively unproven or injury-prone. This gives Nowakowski a place where he can come in, find a role and niche early, and excel.
NFL Player Comp: Noah Gray
My player comparison for Nowakowski is Chiefs tight end Noah Gray. They have similar physical builds, and both predominantly block tight ends who can catch, so they fill similar roles in an offense.
Projection: Backup/Role Player
I project Nowakowski to be a backup/role player in the league. He has his niche as a capable blocker, but his limited receiving ability and athletic upside limit his potential in the league.
Grade and Round Projection: 4.03, 5th Round Pick
I project Nowakowski to be drafted in the fifth round. This is a deep draft class for tight ends, and blocking tight ends with a more limited athletic upside tend to go later than their well-rounded or receiving-focused peers.
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