What skill set does Purdue transfer TE Drew Biber bring to Minnesota?

Is Biber a run-blocking tight end or a red-zone receiving threat?

Nov 25, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end Drew Biber (82) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Purdue tight end Drew Biber became Minnesota's second commitment of the winter transfer portal window on Dec. 12. With longtime veteran Nick Kallerup moving on to the next level, the Gophers will need to replace 474 snaps at the position. What are the expectations for Biber in 2025?

Hailing from Cedarburg, Wisc., Biber was somewhat under the radar as a high school recruit in the class of 2021. He was ranked 1,426th in the 247Sports Composite and held offers from Boise State, Wyoming, and Northern Illinois before ultimately choosing Purdue, which was his only offer from a major conference program.

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After redshirting in 2021, Biber’s role grew each season in the Boilermakers’ offense. He played 417 total snaps from 2022 to 2024, highlighted by a career-high 216 snaps in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he has never had a season with an overall grade higher than 50.0, and his run-blocking grade has averaged 44.4 over the last three seasons.

In the passing game last season, Biber posted a career-high 13 receptions for 113 yards, surpassing one reception in each of the previous two seasons.

As for Biber’s outlook with Minnesota, he is more of a receiving threat than a road grader in the run game. He was listed as a wide receiver on most recruiting sites coming out of high school, and at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, he is smaller than Kallerup, who was 6-foot-5, 270 pounds last season.

The Gophers will have Jameson Geers and Frank Bierman returning, both of whom played more than 450 snaps last season—more than Biber has played in his entire career. They also have a host of promising young players, including Nathan Jones, Jake DiSano, and Pierce Walsh.

In an ideal scenario, Geers would be Minnesota's top tight end next season, Bierman would assume the primary run-blocking role, and Biber would contribute in special packages as a unique athlete. In the modern college football world, not every addition from the transfer portal is a home run, but Biber will bring valuable veteran experience to Minnesota's tight end room in 2025.