UH’s Dell, Tune aim to boost draft stock with scouts
MOBILE, Ala. — Former Houston wide receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell scrunched his face and shook his head from side to side.
He was asked how he felt he performed on Day 1 of the Senior Bowl, and his review was mixed.
“I think I had an all right day,” he said. “I’m not going to get down on myself. I feel like I left some plays out there with the punts that I’m going to clean up. But overall it was all right.”
Dell, who led the country this past year in receiving yards (1,398) and receiving touchdowns (17) and was second in receptions (109), is one of two UH players participating in the Senior Bowl this year, along with quarterback Clayton Tune.
The two together formed one of the most successful quarterback-receiver duos in program history.
Dell was dominant in one-onone drills against opposing cornerbacks Tuesday. He caught every pass that came his way and showed an ability to get separation, just like he did this past year. But he also muffed two punt returns that he knows he must improve on.
Dell, who said he got his nickname “Tank” from his mother because he “had a big head as a baby,” is a projected to go on Day 3 of the 2023 draft. He’ll likely play slot wide receiver and be a return man.
Some mock drafts have him going as high as the fifth round. And he could improve his stock this week.
“No one can guard him,” Tune said when asked why Dell should be drafted. “And on top of that, he’s just a great teammate. Someone who is super competitive. Someone that cares about winning.”
One of the biggest criticisms of Dell his size.
Dell is 5-foot-10 and listed at 165 pounds. He said Tuesday that he was currently 163 pounds, and his goal was to get to 170 pounds within the next couple of months before the draft.
“I’m trying to get 1 percent better every day,” Dell said. “I try to work on everything. You can’t be perfect, but you try to get everything in the right order and bulking up, getting a little bit bigger before draft time.”
Tune also said he’s focused getting better too. Tune and Dell have been roommates at the Senior Bowl. Most of their time spent in Alabama has included practice, meetings with teams, then time back in their dorm room, where they study the playbook at night.
“It’s awesome,” Tune said. “It’s a lot of fun having a familiar face around. We’re just here to put our best football forward and have fun. Not try to be consumed with trying to be too perfect and this and that. Really coming out here and having fun and learning as much as we can.”
Tune, who is 6-3, 220 pounds, had a solid day too. Though Tuesday’s practice didn’t have too much of a competitive feel, Tune didn’t make many mistakes. He’s also projected to be a Day 3 pick.
During his senior season at UH, Tune passed for 4,074 yards, 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
This year’s Senior Bowl is missing some of the top quarterbacks that it has had in previous years. Kentucky’s Will Levis, who is widely considered one of the top three quarterbacks in this draft class, was invited but decided to skip the all-star event, as did Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, the top two prospects. That allows quarterbacks like Tune to show what they can do. They have one more practice Thursday and a game on Saturday.
“Just show that I’m as advertised,” Tune said of his goal at the Senior Bowl. “The player that I was during the season is the same that I’m going to be out here and willing to learn. Come out here and throw the ball really well, mesh with the guys and showcase my skills and talents.”