UH receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell will enter the NFL Draft after the Cougars play in the Independence Bowl. | Sean Thomas/The Cougar
UH star wide receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell announced he will declare for the 2023 NFL Draft following the Cougars’ bowl game in a Twitter post on Monday afternoon.
Letter to Houston, thank you🫶🏽🌹 pic.twitter.com/Okqaam84E3
— Flash1x⚡️ (@Tankdell4) December 5, 2022
With the departure of UH quarterback Clayton Tune on the horizon, Dell said that played role in his decision to forgo his senior season.
“What came into me declaring was the situations like (Clayton) Tune leaving,” Dell said. “I feel like if Tune would have came back, I would have been more leaning towards coming back.”
Dell said he had no thoughts of transferring either as it always was going to come down to staying at UH for his senior year or entering the 2023 NFL Draft.
“I’m loyal to the grave,” Dell said.
Dell, who recorded consecutive 1,000 yard seasons for the Cougars, is tied for first nationally in touchdowns with 15 and third in receiving yards with 1,354 on 103 receptions as a junior. All are career highs.
In three years at UH, Dell is tied for fourth in program history in receptions (222), fourth in touchdown catches (30) and sixth in receiving yards (3,111).
The 5-foot-10-inch receiver will suit up for the Cougars one final time on Dec. 23 as UH takes on Louisiana in the Independence Bowl.
While Dell knows he will have his doubters, particularly about being just 5-foot-10-inches, as he moves on to the NFL, the receiver is confident his play will speak for itself for whatever team takes a chance on him.
“I just want to get there,” Dell said. “I know if I get there I’ll put it all on the table and show them what I got.”
