Ole Miss vs Arkansas: 5 Things We Learned From the Loss
By Randy Morgan
Evan Engram Will Be an NFL Tight End for a Long Time
One of the first plays of the game for Ole Miss was a slant pass to Evan Engram, and for the first time in his four seasons at Ole Miss, I watched him drop the ball. It encapsulating the whole game. The best Ole Miss receiver drops an easy first down, something that repeated itself through the night.
Engram redeemed himself later in the quarter, with a powerful touchdown to give the Rebels 6 points.
Engram had 7 receptions for 111 yards, an average of 15.9 yards per catch.
Kelly was obviously targeting Engram heavily in the game, and Evan made sure to repay him with his big-time catches.
More from Ole Miss Football
- Ole Miss Football: How Ole Miss can upset Alabama in top 15 matchup
- Ole Miss Football: Jaxson Dart has a career day against Georgia Tech
- Ole Miss Football: Week 3 preview and odds vs Georgia Tech
- Ole Miss football rises again in the latest AP Poll
- Ole Miss Football: Fireworks in store in week 2 matchup with Tulane
Engram nearly had his second touchdown of the game on a fade pass to the right side of the endzone where Kelly overthrew him ever so slightly (and the defender interfered with Engram). The defender came down hard on Engram, who landed on his left shoulder hard.
But after walking off the field in some pain, Engram returned to the game and made an impact.
Returning for his senior season may have been the best decision Engram has made in years. Before this season, Engram was probably a 4th round draft pick with some potential, but halfway through the season, Engram has moved his way into the discussion for first round draft pick.
The perfect team for Engram would be the Dallas Cowboys or the New England Patriots, two teams that heavily utilize their tight ends.
He reminds a lot of Aaron Hernandez at Florida, and I could see a team such as the Patriots taking a flyer on Engram late in the first or early in the second round.
If Kelly can continue to feed Engram the ball, then we could see a special season in the making for the senior tight end.