University of Delaware Athletics
Former Blue Hen Nick Boyle Enjoying Career Year With Baltimore Ravens
12/4/2019 7:00:00 PM | Football
It was a long time coming, and it couldn't have come at a bigger moment.
Holding a slim lead against the undefeated reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the fourth quarter at home on Sunday Night Football, the Baltimore Ravens lined up on the doorstep of the end zone.
Nick Boyle, an All-American tight end for the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens from 2011-14 and a fifth-round draft pick by the Ravens in 2015, took off to his left as the ball was snapped. As the Patriots secondary sorted out its coverage, Boyle broke across the goal line, eluding safety Devin McCourty. Lamar Jackson's pass hit Boyle in the hands, and the Wantage, N.J., native dove into the end zone: his first career NFL touchdown.
Boyle, in his fifth professional season, was immediately mobbed by his teammates.
"The coolest part I tell everybody was my teammates, how much they celebrated with me," Boyle said in the Ravens' locker room after yet another impressive and emphatic win, this time over the Houston Texans. "I couldn't really move. That was just cool to see the joy in their faces for me. I think that means a lot and it speaks a lot for this team with the relationships here."
It was a massive touchdown for the Ravens, cementing both the win over the Patriots, and themselves as Super Bowl contenders. But it was also a massive score for Boyle, who after years of being renowned for his elite blocking, is having a career year in terms of receiving. Through 12 games, Boyle already has a career-high 281 yards this season and with four games left, is just three catches away from tying his career high for receptions.
That's not to say Boyle has fallen off as a blocker, either. His protection, especially in the run game is still among the best in the league and has earned him more offensive snaps than any Raven outside of the offensive line and Lamar Jackson.
"Nick Boyle is probably one of the best all-around tight ends in the league right now," Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said. "The tight ends in the league that are the so-called 'great pass catchers' or the 'vertical threats,' they're not blocking like Nick Boyle. I promise you."
That blocking is a key part of why the Ravens have the top-ranked rushing attack in the NFL, averaging nearly 60 more yards per game than any other team.
Boyle is just one weapon that Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman has at his disposal in one of the most unique and dynamic offenses in the league. Along with Jackson, a bona fide MVP candidate at quarterback, Boyle leads a trio of tight ends that includes Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews that is among the most productive in the NFL.
"This year has been awesome, it's been flying by because we're doing well," Boyle said. "Every day I come to work, man I got awesome teammates. I think that's something really cool about this team, and unique, is the relationships we have here. Especially the tight end group. It makes it so much more fun."
Part of that group is fellow Blue Hen Charles Scarff, who has spent his rookie season on the Baltimore practice squad after grabbing seven touchdowns as a senior for Delaware in 2018.
"He's been awesome so far, a good add. He's a really good football player and he's a good person," Boyle said of Scarff. "We always talk about Delaware, we're always joking around, he's always going back."
For Boyle, the four years he spent at Delaware had a lasting impact, especially in his journey to professional football.
"Gamedays at Delaware, Tubby Raymond Field. That's a special place," Boyle said of what sticks out to him from his college career. "Delaware was everything to me. From the relationships I have there with all the coaches that have coached me, all the staff that work around the football team, even the professors, and lifelong friendships that I've had there. The work ethic, to go out there and prepare and make sure you're ready for game day. It was awesome, I love Delaware so much."
That work ethic is possibly the most crucial difference for a player from an FCS program to evolve into a regular NFL starter.
"I think you always need to work hard to get here [to the NFL]. Especially for me, I'm not the fastest dude," Boyle laughs.
That hard work has paid off because as the Ravens have established themselves as Super Bowl favorites this year, Boyle has established himself as one of the most complete tight ends in the NFL.
Holding a slim lead against the undefeated reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the fourth quarter at home on Sunday Night Football, the Baltimore Ravens lined up on the doorstep of the end zone.
Nick Boyle, an All-American tight end for the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens from 2011-14 and a fifth-round draft pick by the Ravens in 2015, took off to his left as the ball was snapped. As the Patriots secondary sorted out its coverage, Boyle broke across the goal line, eluding safety Devin McCourty. Lamar Jackson's pass hit Boyle in the hands, and the Wantage, N.J., native dove into the end zone: his first career NFL touchdown.
Boyle, in his fifth professional season, was immediately mobbed by his teammates.
"The coolest part I tell everybody was my teammates, how much they celebrated with me," Boyle said in the Ravens' locker room after yet another impressive and emphatic win, this time over the Houston Texans. "I couldn't really move. That was just cool to see the joy in their faces for me. I think that means a lot and it speaks a lot for this team with the relationships here."
It was a massive touchdown for the Ravens, cementing both the win over the Patriots, and themselves as Super Bowl contenders. But it was also a massive score for Boyle, who after years of being renowned for his elite blocking, is having a career year in terms of receiving. Through 12 games, Boyle already has a career-high 281 yards this season and with four games left, is just three catches away from tying his career high for receptions.
That's not to say Boyle has fallen off as a blocker, either. His protection, especially in the run game is still among the best in the league and has earned him more offensive snaps than any Raven outside of the offensive line and Lamar Jackson.
TE Nick Boyle is an unsung hero of the Ravens top ranked rushing attack and a very good run-blocker. He's used all over the formation from various alignments and aside from Lamar & the OL plays more than anyone else. pic.twitter.com/XeiXPs9hUV
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 27, 2019
"Nick Boyle is probably one of the best all-around tight ends in the league right now," Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said. "The tight ends in the league that are the so-called 'great pass catchers' or the 'vertical threats,' they're not blocking like Nick Boyle. I promise you."
That blocking is a key part of why the Ravens have the top-ranked rushing attack in the NFL, averaging nearly 60 more yards per game than any other team.
Boyle is just one weapon that Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman has at his disposal in one of the most unique and dynamic offenses in the league. Along with Jackson, a bona fide MVP candidate at quarterback, Boyle leads a trio of tight ends that includes Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews that is among the most productive in the NFL.
"This year has been awesome, it's been flying by because we're doing well," Boyle said. "Every day I come to work, man I got awesome teammates. I think that's something really cool about this team, and unique, is the relationships we have here. Especially the tight end group. It makes it so much more fun."
Part of that group is fellow Blue Hen Charles Scarff, who has spent his rookie season on the Baltimore practice squad after grabbing seven touchdowns as a senior for Delaware in 2018.
"He's been awesome so far, a good add. He's a really good football player and he's a good person," Boyle said of Scarff. "We always talk about Delaware, we're always joking around, he's always going back."
For Boyle, the four years he spent at Delaware had a lasting impact, especially in his journey to professional football.
"Gamedays at Delaware, Tubby Raymond Field. That's a special place," Boyle said of what sticks out to him from his college career. "Delaware was everything to me. From the relationships I have there with all the coaches that have coached me, all the staff that work around the football team, even the professors, and lifelong friendships that I've had there. The work ethic, to go out there and prepare and make sure you're ready for game day. It was awesome, I love Delaware so much."
That work ethic is possibly the most crucial difference for a player from an FCS program to evolve into a regular NFL starter.
"I think you always need to work hard to get here [to the NFL]. Especially for me, I'm not the fastest dude," Boyle laughs.
That hard work has paid off because as the Ravens have established themselves as Super Bowl favorites this year, Boyle has established himself as one of the most complete tight ends in the NFL.
Players Mentioned
TE
/ FootballDelaware Football Postgame Press Conference - 68 Ventures Bowl vs. Louisiana - 12/17/25
Friday, December 19
Delaware Football Postgame Press Conference - UTEP 11/29/25
Saturday, November 29
Delaware Football Weekly Press Conference - Week 14
Monday, November 24
Delaware Football Weekly Press Conference - Week 13
Tuesday, November 18
