Mentor graduate Fritts getting NFL draft buzz

If early NFL Draft projections are correct, Brandon Fritts, a fifth-year senior tight end at North Carolina, should have a shot in the league, once he recovers from knee surgery.

Brandon Fritts wears No. 82 in honor of his favorite NFL player Jason Witten.

The former Cowboys tight end — who recently retired — and noted good guy isn’t a bad role model to follow for young NFL up-and-comers.

If early NFL Draft projections are correct Fritts, a fifth-year senior tight end at North Carolina, should have a shot in the league, but there’s a bit of a twist.

The Mentor graduate was dealt a tough blow in April during the last week of UNC’s spring season when he tore the ACL in his left knee.

On April 19, Fritts tweeted a photo of himself with a brace on his left leg and said, “Ready to attack this rehab and come back better and stronger than ever!”

Fritts’ older brother Justin, also a Mentor graduate, confirmed the injury, and said he’s unsure if his younger brother will be able to play during his final season with Tar Heels in 2018.

Regardless of the injury, Fritts recently received some buzz for the 2019 NFL Draft. Bleacher Report released its early draft rankings, which included top 10 position rankings.

Fritts checked in as Bleacher Report’s No. 8 rated tight end. Depending on the length of his recovery time, Fritts could be back in time for draft preparations to show off his ideal 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame, athletic ability and good hands.

In three seasons at UNC, Fritts has 47 receptions for 439 yards and nine touchdowns. As a redshirt junior in 2017, he caught 25 passes and had four TDs.

Tarheel Illustrated recently reported Fritts submitted his name to the NFL last December for feedback about his draft stock.

“They recommended I come back to school for my fifth year,” Fritts told Tarheel Illustrated.