The Rise of the Beast: UConn’s Louis Hansen is Exploding Up Draft Boards
If you're serious about football development: whether you're a player, parent, or coach: studying how prospects climb draft boards is mandatory homework. At Boardwalk Beasts Football Club, we break down what separates elite athletes from the rest, and UConn tight end Louis Hansen is currently writing the blueprint on how to force NFL teams to take notice.
Let's lock in.
The Hula Bowl Statement: Not Just "Flashed": He Dominated
All-star games are where prospects either blend in or separate. Louis Hansen didn't just separate: he owned the week.
After a dominant showing in Hawaii, the 6'5", 249-pound tight end earned 1st Team All-Hula Bowl honors, and it wasn't a courtesy selection. Hansen consistently showcased everything scouts hunt for in modern tight ends:
- Size that actually plays (not just a roster listing)
- Body control and strong hands in traffic against top-tier defensive backs
- Tempo and physicality at the top of routes that linebackers couldn't match
- A legitimate in-line presence that doesn't disappear when the game gets tight
That's the kind of week that moves you from "interesting depth option" to "we need a longer evaluation." Hansen proved he could compete against elite competition and win consistently: exactly what NFL evaluators want to see before they commit a draft pick.
The X3 Numbers That Are Turning Heads
Performance at all-star games matters, but verified athleticism moves draft stock. Hansen has been locked in at X3 Sports with elite trainer William Cooper Jr., and the testing numbers coming out of those private workouts are exactly why scouts are circling his name harder every week.
Verified Private Workout Metrics (X3):
- Bench Press: 22 reps (225 lbs)
- Vertical Jump: 33.4"
- Broad Jump: 9'8"
- 10-Yard Split: 1.64 seconds
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.76 seconds (at 6'5", 249 lbs)
Let's break down why these numbers scream "problem" for NFL defensive coordinators.
The 1.64 Ten-Yard Split: Elite First-Step Explosion
That 1.64 ten-yard split is the number that matters most. In tight spaces: red zone, third-and-medium, seam routes: the first 10 yards determine whether you're open or covered. At 249 pounds, Hansen is moving like a receiver off the line, which creates massive leverage problems for linebackers who can't match his burst and safeties who can't match his size.
For context, elite NFL tight ends typically clock between 1.55-1.65 in the ten-yard split. Hansen is right in that window despite being a developmental prospect from a non-traditional powerhouse program.
Functional Power + Explosiveness = NFL Chess Piece
The 22 bench reps and 33.4" vertical aren't just combine résumé fillers: they're predictive of in-game performance. That combination of functional upper-body strength and explosive lower-body power translates to:
- Winning contested catches in traffic (red zone money)
- Breaking tackles after the catch (YAC creation)
- Sealing defenders in the run game (in-line value)
- Eating up cushion on vertical routes (middle-of-the-field domination)
The 9'8" broad jump further validates his lower-body explosiveness and ability to generate horizontal force: critical for route breaks and separation at the top of stems.
Put simply: a tight end with this kind of athletic profile isn't a one-dimensional player. He's a chess piece offensive coordinators can deploy in multiple alignments and situations.
The Scouting Profile: Why Hansen's Stock Is Accelerating
NFL evaluation comes down to a simple formula: Can you win your matchups, can you separate, can you finish plays, and can you do it against real athletes?
Louis Hansen is checking every box, and the tape is catching up to the measurables.
Red Zone Weapon
At 6'5" with a 33.4" vertical and strong hands, Hansen is exactly what offensive coordinators dream about inside the 10-yard line. He provides a massive catch radius, can high-point contested throws, and has the functional strength to finish through contact. Those traits turn "third-and-goal from the 7" into a high-percentage scoring opportunity.
Middle-of-the-Field Chain Mover
The burst and size mismatch Hansen creates against linebackers makes him a weapon on intermediate routes: crossers, digs, and seam routes where he can use his frame to shield defenders and his speed to separate vertically. Safeties have to respect his vertical threat, which opens up the middle of the field for high-percentage conversions.
Scheme Flexibility
Modern offenses demand versatility. Hansen can:
- Align as a traditional Y tight end (in-line)
- Flex into the slot and create mismatches on linebackers
- Motion into leverage looks to create pre-snap advantages
- Contribute as a blocker in 12 and 13 personnel packages
That "can do multiple jobs" label is what gets you drafted earlier than people expect. Teams aren't just looking for specialists: they're hunting for players who can handle multiple roles and stay on the field in various game situations.
Special Teams Floor, Starter Upside
Even if Hansen needs time to refine route nuances or blocking technique, his size and speed make him an immediate special teams contributor. That provides a developmental runway while he grows into a starting role: exactly the type of risk-reward profile teams target on Day 2.
Why This Matters for Young Athletes
At Boardwalk Beasts Football Club, we're constantly preaching the importance of verifiable performance metrics and consistent improvement. Hansen's journey is a perfect case study:
- Measurables matter – Height and weight are starting points, but explosion, power, and speed separate prospects
- All-star week performance validates – Competing against elite competition proves you belong
- Training with purpose pays off – Working with elite trainers like William Cooper Jr. and getting tested properly creates objective proof of improvement
- Film + metrics = draft stock movement – You need both to convince evaluators
If you're a young tight end, receiver, or multi-positional athlete, Hansen's blueprint is clear: develop your body, test well, perform against competition, and let the measurables speak for you.
Want to develop like the pros? Check out our recruiting programs and skill development camps designed to help athletes maximize their potential.
The Bottom Line: Day 2 Riser
Louis Hansen isn't just having a nice offseason: he's forcing the conversation.
His 1st Team All-Hula Bowl performance gave him the spotlight. The X3 training numbers gave scouts the objective reason to stay locked in. Now, the projection shifts from "late-round developmental flier" to legitimate Day 2 consideration (Rounds 2-3).
If Hansen continues stacking performances like this through the pre-draft process, don't be surprised when his name gets called much earlier than expected. Teams are hunting for tight ends who can contribute immediately on special teams while developing into legitimate offensive weapons: and Hansen's profile checks every box.
For NFL teams looking for size, speed, and versatility at tight end, Louis Hansen is rapidly becoming one of the most intriguing options in the 2026 class. The "Beast" is rising, and the tape is undeniable.
Want to train like the pros and develop your game? Visit Boardwalk Beasts Football Club to explore our elite training programs, camps, and recruiting resources. Whether you're a tight end looking to dominate the middle of the field or a multi-positional athlete hunting for your edge, we've got the proven blueprint to help you rise. Check out CoachSchuman.com and BoardwalkBeastsFB.com for more programs and resources designed to elevate your game.
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