EDITOR’S NOTE: Counting down to the first week of Ole Miss football practice the week of August 15, HottyToddy.com’s own Collin Brister, former sports editor of the Daily Mississippian, will bring you exclusive “5 at 5” analyses of either A) the opponents Ole Miss will be facing this season or B) some background on Ole Miss’ players at each position. It’s being called “5 at 5” because each original piece will give you 5 key things to know, and we will post these stories at 5 p.m. every Monday-Friday.
courtesy Ole Miss Sports
NUMBER 1:
Evan Engram
Engram decided to not enter the NFL draft after the 2015 season, giving a boost to the Ole Miss offense.
Engram was third on the team last season with 38 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns. Engram is a match up night mare for opposing defenses, as the versatile tight end has extremely good speed for the tight end position, making him extremely difficult to cover for opposing linebackers. The senior captain is poised to be even more involved in the offense this season with the loss of Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core.
Engram will likely be one of the first tight ends taken off the board in the 2017 NFL draft come next April.
NUMBER 2:
Key Additions
The Rebels added three tight ends in the 2016 signing class in Gabe Angel, Octavious Cooley, and Jacob Mathis.
The Rebels will need at least one of those to contribute immediately as Engram is the only other scholarship tight end. Cooley had a breakout 2015 season at Laurel High School. Angel was an early-enrollee at Ole Miss, and went through spring practice learning the system. Mathis was a late pickup for the Rebels as he chose Ole Miss over Florida and other in-state programs on signing day.
NUMBER 3:
Jeremy Liggins
The tight end crew, allegedly, lost Jeremy Liggins going into this season, as the senior is now an offensive tackle.
Liggins played the previous two seasons at tight end and even took snaps at the quarterback position. Liggins possesses a great athletic ability for a player as big as he is, and could help the Rebels immediately at the tackle position.
If the Rebels get consistent play at the tackle position from Greg Little and Sean Rawlings, Liggins might move to tight end if the Rebels find themselves in a pinch due to injuries or lack of experience.
NUMBER 4:
Willie Hibbler
Hibbler was a 2015 signee for the Rebels that has now moved to middle-linebacker to provide Ole Miss more athleticism at the linebacker position.
NUMBER 5:
Analysis
Evan Engram could make this position extremely special for the Rebels. With Treadwell and Core gone, Engram is the veteran of the receivers. He will most likely be Kelly’s first option on critical downs. Engram could position himself to be an extremely high draft pick after the season. The Rebels will also need one of the newcomers to step up immediately and provide Engram a backup option to give the senior a break.
View Friday’s “5 at 5” Here
Collin Brister is a staff writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at collin.brister@hottytoddy.com.
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