Deon Yelder | Western Kentucky, TE – 2018 NFL Draft

2017 (r-Sr.) | 14/12: Second on team with 52 receptions for 688 yards and team leading seven touchdown catches. Invited to NFLPA game and Senior Bowl after breakout season.

2016 (r-Jr.) | 14/0: Yelder appeared in all 14 games as a junior and had one of the defining plays of the season for the Hilltoppers. As one of the team’s best athletes, particularly in the vertical jump, Yelder was called on to block field goal attempts and came up with a blocked PAT at Middle Tennessee in the second overtime period. The Hilltoppers scored and converted on the next possession which catapulted them to the top of the East Division and ultimately a Conference USA Championship.

2015 (r-So.) | 4/0: Yelder saw action in the final four games of the season, primarily on special teams coverage and as a reserve tight end.

2014 (r-Fr.): Yelder did not see any action this year on The Hill.

2013 (Fr.): Yelder redshirted his first season on The Hill.

HS/Misc.: Yelder prepped at Southern High School for coach Chad Lyons. Yelder was also a star guard on the basketball team.

Yelder was only 5-foot-9 his sophomore year in high school. He played nearly every position you can think of even quarterback and punter at Southern High School. Yelder began to grow, grow, grow after his sophomore season concluded.

A walk-on at Western Kentucky, Yelder quickly began to carve out a special teams role due to his size and desire to contribute to the team. He kept evolving and continue his growth and development and it paid off in 2017.

Yelder with zero receptions prior to the season, finished second in both catches (52) and receiving yards (688) for the Hilltoppers, while leading them with seven touchdown catches. He became a force offensively and earned an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. His ability shined in Los Angeles, and it convinced Phil Savage to invite him to attend the Senior Bowl.

Yelder had a thick frame, but athletic body. Think Delaine Walker, when grasphing the skill set of Yelder. He possesses a lot of those similar traits to the Pro-Bowl Tennessee Titans tight end. Walker was a sixth round pick out of Central Missouri who developed his game in the pros after being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2006.

Yelder likley will be a day three pick himself and his limited amount of success is his biggest asset. He has proven time and time again that all he needs is a slight crack in the wall before he breaks it wide open. He possesses great hands and sinks his hips into the soft zone of defenses. Ace on special teams. The best football lies ahead for Yelder. Superb character and hard worker.

Bonus – Anyone who know Deon knows his nickname, which he says he got from this scene…