Los Angeles Chargers 90-in-90: TE Johnny Pascuzzi
Our 90-in-90 profiles for the Chargers continue on as we continue marching through the UDFAs signed this offseason! Next up is former Iowa and Tulane tight end Johnny Pascuzzi! Height: 6’4 Weight: 241 pounds College: Iowa/Tulane Experience: Rookie Pascuzzi was a standout player in high school on both sides of the ball, making plays as both a tight end and defensive end. As a senior, he caught five touchdown passes, notched seven sacks, and grabbed a pair of interceptions en route to helping his team make the state championship game. After walking on at Iowa, Pascuzzi redshirted in 2021 before seeing time in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2022. He started his first three games during the 2023 season and caught his first pass for one yard. In all, he played in nine games as a redshirt sophomore. In his final year at Iowa, he caught just one more pass for a career-high 40 yards. With his final year of eligibility, Pascuzzi transferred to Tulane where he earned the starting job for the first time in his career. He played in 14 total games (13 starts) and finished with career highs of 12 passes, 158 yards, and one touchdown. After going undrafted, Pascuzzi worked out for several teams, including the Chiefs, and ultimately was signed by the Bolts following their rookie minicamp. One of the silver linings of Pascuzzi’s collegiate career is that he spent four seasons at Iowa, one of the predominant tight end factories for the NFL. It was surprising to see a seldomly-utilized tight end get signed by the Chargers as an undrafted rookie, but something tells me that Jim Harbaugh and his staff saw something of worth from his tryout that made them want to take a chance. I believe that revolves around his ability as a blocker. The level of production Pascuzzi had in college is very worriesome. He was buried on the Iowa depth chart for most of his career but even when he won the starting job at Tulane, he was not all that impactful for their offense. With one career touchdown and 14 total receptions in five years, it’s impossible to foresee Pascuzzi becoming a rosterable tight end at the next level barring an immense impact as a special teams player first. Pascuzzi is unfortunately on the outside looking in as he was signed following a rookie tryout aside from being amongst the team’s initial UDFA haul. He’s an undersized player to be a traditional Y tight end and his production in college was nearly non-existent. If he can find a way to make himself valuable as either a special-teamer or as a developmental move blocker (similar to Alec Ingold ’s role under Mike McDaniel), then maybe the Chargers might be cooking with something here