Nashville has struggled to retain NFL talent through several rough Tennessee Titans rebuilding years — but every top tight end has the city circled for one day in June: Tight End University.
Hosted by All-Pro positional talents Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen, the minicamp brings rostered superstars and aspiring pros together for a communal training day focused on the finer points of football’s most versatile offensive position. Taylor Swift helped boost the event’s profile with a public appearance in Nashville on Friday alongside Kelce. Kittle — sidelined last season after an achilles tendon tear — also lives locally and has been on a press junket showing off his Kingston Springs estate.
Current and former Titans showed up for the action, including up-and-comer Gunnar Helm and pro-bowler Delanie Walker (now retired). Helm is a favorite for this year’s starting tight end spot after the offseason departure of Chig Okonkwo. The Titans have suffered three straight losing seasons and the departure of veteran talent — namely former head coach Mike Vrabel and generational running back Derrick Henry.
“It’s so fun being out here with all the guys around the league,” Helm tells the Scene after a day of workouts. “We act like each other, we all have the same mannerisms, it’s like a fraternity. I’m learning a lot from every guy here, and I try to take things from everyone.”
The Titans are still far out from the season — veterans report for training camp on July 28, rookies on July 23 — but team bonding has already started. The Titans will look to immediately integrate first-round pick Carnell Tate, a wide receiver who will line up with Helm on offense. Tate and Helm are part of an exciting young core built around 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward, a big-arm quarterback.
“I’m definitely excited for the season,” continues Helm. “We’ve done a couple of offensive dinners together, mostly steak — Craig’s and Ocean Prime. Cam loves his steak.”
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Former Titans Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, who have built a local sports media empire called Bussin’ With the Boys, took turns emceeing the event. Other pros on the field include Darren Waller, AJ Barner, T.J. Hockenson, Kyle Pitts and Trey McBride. Brock Purdy was among the quarterbacks on hand hitting routes.
The minicamp was also a chance to show off Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium, which has been completely remodeled over several years of renovations. Several members of the university’s football team watched as pros ran routes and compared footwork. Emmanuel Adebi, the team’s 6-foot-5, 270-pound tight end during the Commodores’ blockbuster 2025 season, trained alongside pros. According to a former Vanderbilt teammate, Adebi is working to make an NFL roster ahead of mid-July training camps.
Tight End University follows the NFL’s May 19 announcement that Nashville will host Super Bowl LXIV in 2030. The event concludes with a private Tuesday night concert downtown featuring a few country acts. A surprise Swift cameo is the buzz around the press box.
