The Baltimore Ravens have released veteran tight end Nick Vannett, ending a brief stint that began as emergency blocking depth for the Ohio native.
For Buckeye fans, the move closes another chapter in a durable career rooted in Columbus-area roots and a national championship contribution in scarlet and gray.
Vannett, a Westerville Central High School product from Westerville, Ohio, arrived at Ohio State as a four-star recruit in the 2011 class.
He redshirted as a true freshman before appearing in 53 games over the next four seasons, finishing with 55 receptions for 585 yards and six touchdowns.
His most memorable moment came in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship against Oregon, where he hauled in a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter that helped the Buckeyes build a 14-7 lead en route to a 42-20 victory and their first title since 2002.
That championship run remains a defining piece of his Ohio State legacy, even as his professional path evolved into that of a reliable, physical tight end rather than a featured pass-catcher.
Selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round (94th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, Vannett carved out an 11-year career as a journeyman blocker and occasional receiver.
He logged time with the Seahawks (two stints), Steelers, Broncos, Saints, Giants, Chargers, Titans, Vikings, and Rams, amassing 108 career receptions for 1,012 yards and nine touchdowns across more than 120 games.
Teams consistently valued his 6-foot-6, 261-pound frame and willingness to do the dirty work in the run game—traits that defined his later years more than receiving production.
That profile brought him to Baltimore in September 2026, when the Ravens signed him to their practice squad.
After Durham Smythe suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 4, the Ravens elevated Vannett to the active roster on October 7.
He appeared in five games (with three starts), playing roughly 28 percent of offensive snaps in a pure blocking role while the team’s run game struggled amid a stretch of losses. He recorded no targets or receptions during his time in Baltimore.
The Ravens’ decision to part ways with Vannett came amid broader roster adjustments, including the addition of offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil via trade and the return of fullback Lucas Scott to the practice squad.
At 33, Vannett is now a free agent, his Ohio State championship pedigree and long NFL tenure underscoring a career built on toughness and longevity rather than highlight-reel catches.
For Buckeye Nation, he remains a reminder of the program’s ability to develop versatile, physical tight ends who contribute at the highest levels—even if the path from the Horseshoe to sustained NFL success is rarely linear.
