ASHLAND, Ohio — The dozens of NFL scouts who have visited Ashland University’s campus recently are there for one reason, but none of them can openly talk about it.

“They ask about our seniors,” AU coach Lee Owens said, “then they follow him around.”

Him is redshirt junior tight end Adam Shaheen. The 6-foot-6, 277 pound colossus from Galena is a Big Walnut product. He already is on every NFL team’s recruiting radar.

Just how many player personnel officials have stopped by the Dwight Schar Athletic Complex?

“Too many to count. It’s a couple every day,” Owens said. “He’s an underclassman, so they have to be careful about what they say.”

That bit of news was hardly revelatory to anyone who has seen Shaheen outmuscle and overwhelm undersized defenders. In last week’s 35-3 win over Findlay, the former college basketball player hauled in a short pass from quarterback Travis Tarnowski and stiff-armed a would-be tackler near the goal line as he rumbled for a 16 yards touchdown.

“Travis threw me on the slant and I saw the guy coming,” Shaheen said. “I had time to lower my shoulder a little bit, then I saw the end zone and just lunged out.”

In three games, Shaheen has a team-high 18 catches for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Last fall he led all tight ends regardless of NCAA division with 70 catches for 803 yards and 11 TDs.

“It’s not fair,” Owens said. “You’ve got to think players, not plays and when it’s one of those critical situations I think everybody in the stadium knows we’re throwing it to the big tight end.”

Given his size and play-making ability, Shaheen’s draft stock is likely to continue rising. It is something Owens has prepared Shaheen for.

“We talked about this real early in the season. We addressed those issues, which I think has really helped,” Owens said. “He knows he’s got to play every play. He’s being evaluated every play. If he doesn’t have a great today, there is no tomorrow.

“Fortunately, he’s a very mature young man. He’s not going to let that kind of attention distract from is concentration.”

A scout from the Tennessee Titans was in the press box last week as Shaheen caught seven passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns against Findlay. When asked about all the attention he is attracting, Shaheen shrugged it off like an overmatched defensive back.

“That’s good, I guess,” Shaheen said. “I’m sure they are hear to see me and (linebacker Brandon) Gency and (tailback) Vance (Settlemire).”

There are almost 100 former Division II players currently on NFL rosters, including AU product Jamie Meder (with the Cleveland Browns).

Will Shaheen soon join them?

“There’s not question,” Owens said. “We’ve had teams already say they would draft him right now.”

Coverage of Ashland University Eagles athletics is produced in partnership with OhioHealth, the official sports medicine provider for Ashland University and dozens of high schools and universities throughout Ohio.