Ole Miss Football 2014 Position Previews – Wide Receivers
By Dave Bevan
Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell advancing a reception during the Missouri game in 2013. Mandatory Photo Credit: Spruce Derden – USA TODAY Sports
All throughout the Spring football practices, we will be taking a in depth look at each position, and give you some insight of what is needed come the start of the 2014 season. In this article, we will be covering the wide receivers.
What Happened In 2013?
In 2013, the coaching staff brought in some big time freshmen recruits. Some of these players in this position already have NFL material written all over them. Laquon Treadwell by far falls into that group.
Last season, Treadwell proved all the hype he was built up to be in the offseason. It started with game one against Vandy. The team and fans knew they had something special when he caught the one handed leaping catch. It was a moment Rebel fans were only accustom to seeing in the NFL.
Another freshman weapon in 2013 was Quincy Adeboyejo. Quincy started his season very quite, but by mid way through the season, the freshman proved he was effective and pure talent.
Donte Moncrief continued his success and finished as the team’s leading receiver, just as he accomplished in 2013. Moncrief’s success was so big in 2013 that NFL scouts had their eye on him in his junior season.
Other notable receivers who stood out in 2013 were Vince Sanders, senior Ja’mes Logan, and even walk-on senior Jordan Holder had some outstanding moments.
What’s Coming In 2014?
After Donte Moncrief’s back-to-back successful seasons, it was obvious his eyes were on the NFL after his junior year, and who can blame him for that? So, not longer after the completion of the 2013 season, Moncrief opted out of his senior year to enter the 2014 NFL Draft.
The Rebels would have to replace impact players in Moncrief and Logan. The new talent that is coming in behind them is expected to setup into their leadership roles.
Ole Miss picked up a big recruit in 4-star prospect Markell Pack. Pack comes out of Purvis, Mississippi. He comes in at 6 foot, 3 inches and weighs in at 195 pounds. Pack has great hands and concentration. He has good size for his position and has an enormous amount of toughness. Although, Pack does need improvement in his route-running skills.
What We Want In 2014?
In the 2014, there will have to be that player that sticks out for his team. They will have to fill the shoes of Donte Moncrief and Ja’mes Logan. It seems that Laquon Treadwell will be filling into Moncrief’s old shoes. I believe this is a good move by the Rebels. If there is going to be any player to step into Moncrief’s old role, it has to be the sophomore.
With Treadwell moving to a wide-out position, the team’s focus of improvement needs to be short route running skills. This was an area of opportunity I felt that could have been noticed in the Texas A&M and Auburn games.