Central Michigan will have big shoes to fill, with star tight end Tony Poljan announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday morning via Twitter.
Thank you CMU for the past four years. After carful thought, I have decided to enter the transfer portal. #FireUpForever pic.twitter.com/gRyhHiAdDF
— Tony Poljan (@TonyPoljan) July 15, 2020
Poljan was perhaps the highest-rated recruit to come through Mt. Pleasant at the time of his signing, committing to then-head coach John Bonamego as a quarterback out of Lansing Catholic HS in Michigan, despite holding several Power Five offers to play tight end.
He struggled to adjust to playing quarterback at the FBS level, taking the opening day starting snaps for the ill-fated 2018 season before Tommy Lazzaro relieved him in the game vs. Michigan State. Poljan began the conversion to tight end midway through 2018, before becoming the primary starter at the position in 2019.
In his year-and-a-half as a tight end, Poljan shined, with two touchdowns on seven receptions in 2018 post-position change, and a breakout 2019 campaign, earning second-team all-MAC honors after pulling down 45 receptions for 718 yards and four touchdowns.
Poljan is considered one of the better tight end prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft class, standing at six-foot-seven, 260 lbs., and has earned a reputation as a premier in-line blocker with deep threat receiving ability. This is likely why he is considering such a move, one which is not too dissimilar from former teammate Mike Danna’s move to Michigan last offseason.
Poljan held Power Five offers from Minnesota, Nebraska and Michigan State prior to his commitment to Central in 2016, and had some reported interest from Auburn, MIchigan and Notre Dame as well.