Garrett Celek

Garrett Bartholomew Celek (born May 29, 1988) is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State. Celek signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2012.

He attended La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he played on the football team and was selected to the PrepStar's All-Midwest Team.

In his freshman year, he played in 12 games, notching 6 receptions, 50 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. On September 20, 2008, he caught 2 receptions for 15 yards against Notre Dame to help Michigan State win the game, 23–7.

In his sophomore year, he played in 10 games and he recorded 3 receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown. On October 10, 2009, he had 2 receptions for 20 yards against Illinois, in a 24–14 Michigan State victory.

In his junior year, he played in the first two games on the season, with his performance of September 11, 2010, against Florida Atlantic netting his season total of 2 receptions and 17 receiving yards against as Michigan State won, 30–17.

In his senior year, he played in 14 games and recorded 3 receptions, 35 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. On September 10, 2011, he had one reception for 8 yards and a touchdown against Florida Atlantic as Michigan State won, 44–0.

In his college career, he played four seasons at Michigan State. He played in 38 games, including 12 starts. He recorded 14 receptions, 135 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns during his tenure.

Pre-draft

Coming out of college, Celek was projected by analysts to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round. He was rated as the 13th-best tight end available in the Draft, out of the 73 available by NFLDraftScout.com. Although he was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, he did participate at Cincinnati's Pro Day.

2012 season

On April 29, 2012, the San Francisco 49ers signed Celek as an undrafted free agent after he went unselected in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was signed to a three-year, $1.44 million contract. On September 1, 2012, he earned a spot on the 53-man roster. He began his rookie season as the fourth tight end on the depth chart behind veteran Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, and Demarcus Dobbs. On October 7, 2012, he made his first career reception against the Buffalo Bills after making his debut against the New York Jets the previous week.

He finished his rookie season with four catches for 51 receiving yards and appeared in 13 regular-season contests. The 49ers finished with an 11–4–1 record in his rookie year and he appeared in Super Bowl XLVII, losing to the Baltimore Ravens.

2013 season

Celek began the 2013 regular season as the third tight end behind veteran Vernon Davis and rookie Vance McDonald. He appeared in the season opener and started the following week, but did not make his first catch of the season until Week 3. During that game he only made one reception for 30 yards in the 49ers' 7–27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He finished his second season with two catches for 38 yards in 12 games and one start. On January 5, 2014, he made his first career catch in the postseason after catching a pass from Colin Kaepernick and taking it for 8 yards during a victory over the Green Bay Packers. The San Francisco 49ers made it to the NFC Championship game that season, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl XLVIII champions, the Seattle Seahawks.

2014 season

He started the 2014 season, missing the first 11 games with back and hamstring injuries. On November 27, he started his first game of the season during a loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The next game, he made his first catch of the season and finished with one reception for 22 yards during a 22–14 loss to the Oakland Raiders. After returning, Celek was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury during a week 15 loss to the Seahawks. Celek was limited to two receptions and 53 receiving yards during 2014 and started one game while only appearing in three.

2015 season

On March 7, 2015, Celek signed a one-year, $710,000 contract to remain with the San Francisco 49ers. The contract also included a $25,000 signing bonus.

Celek began his first season under new head coach Jim Tomsula remaining as the third tight end behind both Davis and McDonald. He started the 49ers' season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, finishing the loss with a season-high three receptions and 40 receiving yards. On October 11, 2015, against the New York Giants, Celek caught a 5-yard reception from Colin Kaepernick for his first career touchdown catch. On November 8, 2015, he caught two passes for 12 yards and a season-high two touchdowns during a 17–16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He finished 2015 with a total of 19 receptions, 186 receiving yards, and three touchdown receptions while starting 8 games and appearing in 11.

2016 season

On February 24, 2016, the San Francisco 49ers signed Celek to a four-year, $10.20 million contract with $3.50 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.50 million.

In his first season under new head coach Chip Kelly, Celek was named the second tight end behind Vance McDonald to begin the season. In the season-opening 28-0 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Celek made one reception for 15 yards. On October 2, 2016, he made a career-high five receptions for a career-high 79 receiving yards during the 49ers' 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. On November 27, he caught two passes for 19 yards and a 4-yard touchdown pass from Colin Kaepernick for his first touchdown of the season during a 24-31 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He finished the season with 29 receptions for 350 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and six starts.

Celek is the son of Steve and Debbie Celek and is one of six children. He is the younger brother of Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek, who also played under former San Francisco 49ers' head coach Chip Kelly in Philadelphia.

He has said he owes all his success to his brother Brent and former 49er teammate Vernon Davis.