Rashod Berry, a former Ohio State tight end/defensive end signed with the New England Patriots immediately following the 2020 NFL Draft, which was first reported by Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors.
Congrats @Shoddieslime_13 – Tremendous Talent & Proud Graduate of @OhioState – Skills for Both Sides of the Ball. Excited for Your Future in the NFL – Go @Patriots pic.twitter.com/bjc5LX6w8t
— Kevin Wilson (@OSUCoachKDub) April 25, 2020
Berry and three of his former teammates signed free-agent deals after going undrafted, including Branden Bowen, Alex Mack and Binjimen Victor, while Robert Landers is also in the mix for an NFL contract.
After entering Ohio State as the No. 728 overall prospect and No. 35 weakside defensive end in the 2015 class, Berry blossomed into a four-year contributor, including his three final seasons at tight end.
As a fifth-year senior, Berry played both ways against Maryland and Rutgers, becoming the first Ohio State player to line up on both offense and defense in a game since Zach Boren played both fullback and linebacker against Indiana in 2012.
The Lorain native only caught two passes for 20 yards in 2019, but he thrived as a run blocker, which was evident in the Buckeyes’ 34-10 trouncing of Michigan State.
The versatile Berry totaled 17 catches for 198 yards and four touchdowns across three seasons as a tight end, but his impact went well beyond his production.
Excelling as a blocker, and adding some timely catches, Berry became a critical part of three consecutive outright Big Ten championship teams.
With the Buckeyes down 26-14 at Penn State in 2018, Berry showcased his versatility and his relentless effort by blocking both a Penn State pass rusher and a defensive back downfield on Victor’s 47-yard score.
A product of Lorain High School, Berry caught nine passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns as a fourth-year junior for the 13-1 Buckeyes in 2018.
Berry set up the game-winning touchdown against Maryland with an 11-yard reception on fourth-and-1 in 2018, and ended the year with a score in the Buckeyes’ 28-23 Rose Bowl victory over Washington.
What a call by Ryan Day, drawing up Dwayne Haskins' 1-yard touchdown strike to Rashod Berry. Haskins is 17 for 24 (70.8 percent) with 163 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. In finding Berry, Haskins now has 50 touchdown passes on the season. At halftime: Ohio State 21, Washington 3. pic.twitter.com/GFmFNNBdSy
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) January 1, 2019
After transitioning to tight end entering the 2017 season, Berry flashed elite athleticism behind starter Marcus Baugh. He hauled in six receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns, with more than half of his production coming against UNLV.
Berry snagged three catches for 57 yards and one score, where he looked the part of an NFL tight end, against the Rebels.
As a backup among a loaded defensive line in 2016, Berry made seven tackles (four solo) in 10 games. He played end behind a litany of eventual NFL D-ends in Nick Bosa, Jalyn Holmes, Sam Hubbard, and Tyquan Lewis.
At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, with the athleticism of a professional basketball player, Berry ‘s NFL prospects might have been hurt by the cancellations of pro day and other opportunities to display his skillset as much as anyone.
His versatility gives him the rare possibility of playing on either side of the ball at the next level, but Bill Belichick and the Patriots could use him on either side of the ball in the NFL.
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