Chase Coffman Chase Allen Coffman ( born November 10 , 1986 ) is an American football tight end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Missouri , earned All - American honors , and was recognized as the best college tight end in the country . He was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft . Early years . Coffman was born in Lee ' s Summit , Missouri and played high school football at Raymore – Peculiar High School in nearby Peculiar . Coffman had a great high school career receiving passes from his younger brother Carson . He earned first - team all - state honors three times and was a two - time first - team all - district and all - conference pick . During his senior year in 2004 , he was named conference player of the year and won the Simone Award after catching 41 passes for 886 yards and 16 touchdowns . He was also a standout basketball player , earning first - team all - conference honors in 2003 and 2004 . College career . Coffman attended the University of Missouri , where he played for coach Gary Pinkel ' s Missouri Tigers football team from 2005 to 2008 . During his freshman year in 2005 , he had one of Missouri ' s best seasons ever for a tight end . He finished the season with 47 receptions for 503 yards and 4 touchdowns , and earned First - Team Freshman All - American honors by Rivals . com . Coffman had an amazing 2006 campaign leading all Big 12 tight ends with 58 catches for 638 yards and nine touchdowns , all of these were also Missouri records for tight ends . Because of his great season he was awarded First - Team All - Big 12 and was a finalist for the John Mackey Award . Although not matching his 2006 season he still had a great 2007 season finishing with 52 receptions for 531 yards and 7 touchdowns . Because of his play he was a second - team All - Big 12 selection and again was a finalist for the John Mackey Award . Entering the 2008 season he became Missouri ' s all - time leader in receiving touchdowns with 20 , third in receptions with 156 and seventh in receiving yards with 1 , 664 . As a senior in 2008 , he won the John Mackey Award , given annually to the nation ' s best tight end . He became the first Missouri player to win the award . He had 90 receptions for 987 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns . Professional career . Coffman was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft . On December 9 , 2009 , Coffman was placed on season - ending injured reserve due to a left ankle injury . He finished his rookie season being inactive for all 12 games he was on the active roster . On September 4 , 2010 , the Bengals waived Coffman . They re - signed him to their practice squad the next day . A year later , he was waived on September 4 , 2011 , and signed to the Bengals ' practice squad the following day . He was not signed to the Bengals reserve list following the 2011 season after his practice squad contract expired . On February 21 , 2012 , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Coffman as a free agent . On August 6 , 2012 , Coffman was waived . On August 11 , 2012 , the Atlanta Falcons signed Coffman . Two weeks later , on August 25 , he was waived . Coffman was signed to the Falcons practice squad on September 2 , 2012 . Coffman was signed to the Falcons 53 - man roster on November 13 , 2012 . Personal . His father Paul played tight end for the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs from 1978 to 1987 . His brother Carson was the starting quarterback for the Kansas State Wildcats .