Max Bredeson

NFL Draft Profile: Max Bredeson

Position: Fullback / H-Back / Tight End | School: Michigan | Class: Graduate

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 250 lbs | Archetype: Power / 3-Down Blocker

College Career Summary

Max Bredeson’s journey from a preferred walk-on quarterback to a two-time Michigan captain is one of the most storied transformations in modern college football. Following in the footsteps of his brother Ben (a former Michigan captain and NFL guard), Max embraced a "blue-collar" role, transitioning to tight end and eventually becoming the nation's premier fullback.

In 2023, he was the unsung hero of Michigan’s National Championship run, consistently delivering devastating lead blocks in short-yardage and goal-line packages. His 2024 season earned him the status of team captain, and he returned in 2025 as a Graduate student to anchor Sherrone Moore's "SMASH" identity. While his box score statistics are minimal (only 12 career receptions), his impact is measured in "pancake" blocks and the success rate of the backs he leads. He was named Third-Team All-Big Ten in 2025 and is widely considered the #1 Fullback prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.

2025 Season Statistical Highlights

• Receiving: 2 Receptions, 11 Yds, 0 TD

• Rushing: 0 Carries (Primarily used as a lead blocker)

• Accolades: 2-Time Team Captain, Third-Team All-Big Ten (2025)

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats/Role	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs New Mexico	1 Rec, 4 Yds	A-	Clinical lead blocking for multiple rushing scores.
2	@ #8 Oklahoma	Blocker	B	Tough outing for the offense, but Bredeson held his own against elite LBs.
3	vs Central Mich.	Blocker	A	Total dominance; paved the way for a 63-point explosion.
4	@ Nebraska	Blocker	A-	Key sealer on the perimeter for big outside zone gains.
5	vs Wisconsin	Blocker	A	Old School. Put on a clinic of downhill lead blocking.
6	@ #16 USC	Blocker	B-	Offense struggled with speed; Bredeson was the only physical constant.
7	vs Washington	Blocker	A	Instrumental in 24-7 win; "erased" edge rushers on the goal line.
8	@ Michigan State	Blocker	A+	Pancake King. Graded at nearly 100% efficiency in run blocking.
9	vs Purdue	Blocker	A	Led the 4-minute drill to ice the game with punishing blocks.
10	@ Northwestern	Blocker	B+	Gritty, high-snap count game; reliable as always.
11	@ Maryland	1 Rec, 7 Yds	A-	Caught a key first down; cleared lanes for a 45-point performance.
12	vs #3 Ohio State	DNP	N/A	Out (Injury). Huge miss for the Michigan run game.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 100/100

• Leadership: Two-time captain; the soul of the Michigan locker room.

• Mental Toughness: Transitioned from walk-on QB to FB; plays with a "die for Ann Arbor" mentality.

• Competitor: Thrives in the "trenches"; invites the most violent collisions.

• Team Player: Winner of the "Make It Possible" award; worries zero about personal stats.

• Star Power: High impact; Michigan scores significantly more when he is the lead blocker.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Height/Weight: 6'2", 250 lbs. (Meets Weight target; good height for a hybrid role).

• Stamina: Exceptional; stays physical through 60 minutes of "Smash" football.

• Durability: Missed the season finale in 2025, but otherwise a mainstay for four seasons.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Ball Security: No career fumbles; reliable when used as a short-yardage target.

• Vision: Elite. Anticipates the hole and locates the "MIKE" linebacker with clinical precision.

• Contact Balance: High-end; maintains forward lean and leg drive after the initial strike.

• Catching: Solid hands; capable of being a "leak" target out of the backfield.

• Pass Block: Technical and violent; handles interior rushers and edge speed with ease.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 80/100

• Speed: Functional; has enough "thump" speed but isn't a breakaway threat.

• Agility: Good short-area footwork for a 250-lb player.

• Acceleration: Reaches "ramming speed" quickly to deliver downhill blocks.

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• Break Tackle: Uses raw power to push piles rather than making people miss.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Awareness: Elite; essentially an offensive lineman in the backfield. Understands all blocking assignments.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Pound-for-pound the best lead blocker in college football; elite football IQ and leadership; versatile enough to play FB, TE, or H-Back; special teams ace.

• Weaknesses: Lacks "box score" production; average top-end speed; role is becoming niche in the modern NFL (though resurgence in SF/MIA helps).

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for West Coast or Power-Run schemes that utilize a lead blocker (e.g., San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens).

• NFL Comparison: Kyle Juszczyk (49ers) / Ben Skowronek.

Scout's Final Word

"Max Bredeson is a 'throwback' player who will have a 10-year NFL career. He is the ultimate force multiplier for a rushing attack. In an era where fullbacks are rare, Bredeson is so good at the technical aspects of blocking that he forces teams to keep him on the field. He is the #1 ranked fullback for a reason. Projected: Round 5–6."