Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott is among the upper-tier prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft at his position. Sinnott recorded career highs in receptions (49), yards (676), and touchdowns (6) this past campaign. The Wildcats standout went to the NFL Combine and finished first place among participating tight ends in the vertical (40 inches), broad jump (10-foot-6), and 3-cone (6.82) testing drills.
Sinnott recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his intense pre-draft training regimen with the Excel Sports Performance team, his 2023 season, which teams have shown interest in his services throughout the process, and more.
JM: You've been training with the Excel Sports performance team, Curt Truhe and Sazi Guthrie in Irvine, California throughout this process. How have they made you a better athlete?
Ben Sinnott: I think the biggest thing is their desire to make sure we succeed. They come into work every day ready to see us improve. They try to maximize our potential every single day. Every plan is tailor-made to who we are as athletes.
The plan felt very individualized. It was so specific to me. They even checked my blood work. They did everything they needed to do to ensure success. They wanted to help me perfect my craft. They maximize my potential by the time the NFL Combine rolled around.
JM: And this is really unique. You’ve also been working with Joe Staley on blocking drills, and you’re also working with Ricky Proehl on route-running. What are some tips and tricks you picked up along the way?
Ben Sinnott: I’ve also been working with Dennis Pitta as well (laughs). Having guys of that caliber working with me, guys who have been there and done that, it’s an incredible feeling.
Ricky Proehl played 17 years in the league. Joe Staley played for more than 10 years. They’re working on my fundamentals every single day. It’s been an unbelievable experience. They’re preparing me for the next level.
It’s been super super valuable. I’ve learned so much from them. I couldn't be more thankful. They’ve been so influential. It’s been crazy having that trio help me and guide me throughout this process.
JM: That’s outstanding. You leave Kansas State tied for the most receiving touchdowns among all tight ends (10), third in receptions (82), and fourth in receiving yards (1,138). You became just the fourth tight end ever to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark. What goes through your mind when I read off these accolades?
Ben Sinnott: It’s super cool and feels very surreal to have my name mentioned alongside some great Kansas State players. It meant everything to me. Going from a 205-pound walk-on kid from Waterloo, Iowa to that, it’s amazing.
I wasn’t really recruited. I didn’t have many opportunities. I took a chance on myself by walking on at Kansas State. I knew I wanted to compete against the best of the best. I wanted to play at the highest level.
It means so much to me. I came a long way. To see my hard work and dedication pay off the way it did, it all came to fruition for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better career at Kansas State. It meant the world to me.
JM: There was a jump this year. You totaled career highs in catches (49), yards (676), and touchdowns (6). You averaged 56 yards per game. What led to the uptick in production?
Ben Sinnott: My confidence really grew after my junior year. I knew that I was able to compete. I realized I had a legitimate shot to play at the next level. It all started with being my own biggest critic. That’s the biggest thing. I realized where I needed to develop, which aspects of my game needed improvement.
I put the work in. I did extra drills. It takes time to perfect your craft. That’s where I wanted to be. At the end of the day, it’s about preparation. You have to know your opponent. You have to put it all together when the time comes.
JM: You also lit the NFL Combine on fire. You finished first place among all tight ends in the vertical (40 inches), broad jump (10-foot-6), and 3-cone (6.82). You finished third in the shuttle (4.23) and ran an outstanding 4.66 40 with a 1.59 10-yard split. How would you grade your overall performance?
Ben Sinnott: I felt really good about it. I wanted to display my athleticism, my explosiveness, my change of direction ability. I wanted to show these NFL teams what they’re going to get at the next level.
I wanted to show them some of the extra stuff maybe they didn’t see on tape. I was very pleased with how I performed. I was very prepared for the NFL Combine. I was very happy with that. I stand on those numbers.
JM: Do you think you took some people by surprise? Did any NFL scouts have questions about your athleticism?
Ben Sinnott: I think I got a little bit of that. They definitely didn’t expect me to test as well as I did. Proving them wrong was my biggest thing. Whoever doubted me as an athlete, I wanted to prove them wrong.
I’m really excited about what I’ve put together. Those doubts are something that motivates me every single day. I want to continue proving people wrong at the next level. I’m going to always show what kind of person and player I am.
JM: The results spoke for themselves. Does Ben Sinnott have a favorite route to run?
Ben Sinnott: That’s a good question. I would probably say any double move. I like routes that get me into space. I love showcasing my athleticism and routing somebody up. I love making big plays for the offense.
I wouldn’t say I have a specific favorite route. I love anything that gets me moving in space, something that allows me to showcase the caliber of athlete I am.
JM: One thing that really jumps out on me at tape is your ability to pick up yards after the catch. You're just relentless in the open field. How did you develop that mentality?
Ben Sinnott: You hit the nail on the head. I just have this relentless attitude. I want to score a touchdown every single time I touch the ball. I bring that mentality to practice every single day. It’s about repetition. When you get that opportunity in a game to run over a guy, or through a guy, juke him out, and go around him, you need to do whatever it takes to score touchdowns.
I love making big plays.
JM: You do that consistently on tape. Do you have any Pre-draft 30 visits coming up?
Ben Sinnott: I do. I’m going to the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers. I also have visits with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
JM: There’s lots of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. We've appreciated your time today. What kind of impact is Ben Sinnott going to make at the next level?
Ben Sinnott: I’m going to make a substantial impact. I want to be a three-down tight end with so much versatility and ability. I bring a lot of value to a team. I can fit into any scheme. I can play the “Y” on first downs, or I can be the “F” in 12 personnel on second down.
I can go back and forth between the “Y” and “F” on third down. I think I bring so much versatility to the next level. There are different moving parts to the offense. It’s tough for defenses to track where I am.
The versatility I bring really adds to who I am as a player. It adds to the overall value I bring.
