Ole Hotty Toddy
Fansided

Engram leads Tight Ends in Ole Miss’ passing game

By John Luke McCord

Oct 17, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) during the game against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis Tigers beat Mississippi Rebels 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) during the game against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis Tigers beat Mississippi Rebels 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Hugh Freeze quickly brought life to the tight end position, signing Evan Engram in his first full class in Oxford. Rated then as a receiver, Engram, an overlooked member of the vaunted 2013 class, has been anything but since arriving on campus. He’s also shown he was much more than just a 3-star prospect, via 247Sports.com. Getting the talented tight end back for his senior season was a huge boost to the Rebel offense for 2016.

"“After gathering a lot of information from coaches and other sources and talking to my family, I’ve decided that it’s best to return for my senior year,” Evan Engram said, via The Clarion-Ledger."

Sure, as I’ve previously pointed out, Ole Miss is becoming Wide Receiver U, but with a security blanket like Laquon Treadwell heading off to the NFL having a familiar and reliable guy like Engram around should help Chad Kelly.

After garnering all-SEC honors for a third straight season, it seemed for some time that Engram was bound to test his luck and enter the NFL draft, joining fellow 2013 classmates, Treadwell, Robert Nkemdiche and Laremy Tunsil.

Sep 6, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs after a reception during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs after a reception during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

There was a drop off from his sophomore season to his junior season, mainly for a lack of downfield targets, proved to be enough to keep him around Oxford for a potentially special senior season. Speaking of Tunsil, he and Engram became the first two Rebels to ever be named All-SEC as true freshmen.

After catching 38 passes in each of the past two seasons and 21 as a freshman, Engram is poised to blow past the 100 career receptions mark this fall. He is also just 606 -yards away from 2,000 career receiving yards. If he were to reach that milestone it would take at least his second best output for receiving yards in a season.

His high is 662 yards, which he amassed during his sophomore season. Lastly, after hauling in two touchdowns in each of his previous two seasons, plus the three from his freshman campaign, he remains three touchdown receptions away from 10 for his career. If it means anything, I expect him to hit all of these career marks this season.

As I mentioned, I expect him to be a security blanket for Kelly, especially early on in the season. Freeze knows how to make Engram a prevalent part of the game plan and I look for that to be the case this fall, early and often.

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) is taken down by Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Jordan Burton (20) and linebacker Chad Whitener (45) during the second quarter in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) is taken down by Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Jordan Burton (20) and linebacker Chad Whitener (45) during the second quarter in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /

Beyond Engram, there is mostly pieces for the future. Albeit there are some really talented tight ends coming on from the most previous recruiting class. In 2016 Ole Miss signed three players at the position that are ranked 4-stars by the 247Sports composite rankings.

Jacob Mathis is a tall, long guy who is thought to be very similar to Engram. If anything, he is perhaps more athletic but not a sure-handed at this point in his career. Mathis, who hails from Tampa, Florida, held offers from across the country and comes to Oxford over suitors such as Florida, Southern Cal, Michigan and many more. It has also been batted around that Mathis could end up on the defensive side of the ball at defensive end or outside linebacker. However, he’ll start at tight end and my bet is that is where he sticks.

Gabe Angel committed to the Rebels some time ago and is already enrolled in classes. Prior to his commitment, Angel was being heavily chased by a number of SEC programs such as Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Kentucky and more. Though it became clear to his wooers that he was Oxford-bound after giving his verbal to Hugh Freeze and company, his recruitment slowed and news on it became dormant. Don’t let that fool you as he also comes in the mold of Engram.

In fact, many have compared Angel to Engram and feel he could have a similar impact. Certainly that is good news for fans of the program. While Angel is my pick of the group to take a red shirt, I admit I could be totally wrong. He seems to be a perfect fit for the system and is already on campus shaping up physically. However, it would be best to save him with plenty of available bodies at the position.

Jul 16, 2015; Hoover, AL, USA; Mississippi tight end Evan Engram answers questions during SEC media days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2015; Hoover, AL, USA; Mississippi tight end Evan Engram answers questions during SEC media days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports /

Purposely, I saved Octavious Cooley for last, simply because I feel he is clearly the best of the tight end signees. No disrespect to the other two, but I feel that Cooley was the best tight end in America in the class of 2016. Obviously, the 247Sports composite rankings disagree with me, but hold on a second. We’re talking about a guy who is physically mature beyond his year who played receiver for the Laurel Tornadoes. In fact, he helped lead them to a state championship his junior year and runner-up in 5A South last Fall.

Not to mention pulling double-duty as he was also a star for the basketball team. Cooley runs faster than you could imagine after seeing how big he is in person, he has soft hands and he makes all the plays. He runs routes well and catches the intermediate passes, as well has having a knack for big plays. I expect that Cooley is ready for a role in 2016 to compliment Engram.

Additionally there are a few other players with experience returning to the roster that will get reps, as well. Senior Hunter Thurley will find the field next season, as will fellow senior Taz Zettergren_whocaught Kelly’s first TD in the Spring game last year. Those guys will find a role as blockers and provide meaningful depth at a position that features youngsters behind Engram.

John Luke McCord is the lead staff writer for Ole Hotty Toddy. You can reach him by following him on Twitter: @JLGrindin

Home/Ole Miss Football