Five Rebels Named Preseason All-SEC by Media

Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly photo by Joshua Libertine

The Southeastern Conference unveiled the 2016 Preseason Media Days All-SEC Teams on Friday, which featured five Rebels across the three teams.

Senior Chad Kelly was selected as the best returning QB in the league by a vote of the league media at the annual SEC Media Days. Only LSU RB Leonard Fournette received more overall votes than the Rebel signal caller. Seniors Evan Engram (TE) and Tony Conner (DB) were named to the second team, while sophomore Javon Patterson (OL) and junior Marquis Haynes (DL) were on the third team.

The coaches’ preseason All-SEC teams are expected to be announced in August prior to the start of the 2016 season.

Kelly enters his senior season as one of the best QBs in the nation, not just the league. Last year, he broke 14 single-season school records, including total offense (4,542 yards), completion percentage (65.1), passing efficiency (155.9), 300-yard passing games (8) and touchdowns responsible for (41). Completing 298 passes for 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns, all program bests, Kelly became the third SEC quarterback to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season.

Engram has already etched his name in the Ole Miss Football record book heading into his final season. The Powder Springs, Georgia, native is the program’s all-time leader in receptions (97) and receiving yards (1,394) by a tight end, while ranking fifth among Ole Miss tight ends with seven career touchdown catches.

Conner, back for his senior season as well, is looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2015 season. After playing in every game during his first two years on campus, the Batesville, Mississippi, native was limited to five games last season. In 31 career games, Conner has racked up 152 tackles, including 18 tackles for loss over his career.

Last season, Patterson became the first Rebel true freshman OL to start in his college debut since John Jerry in 2006. He would go on to make six starts between the two guard spots and help Ole Miss shatter the majority of single-season school records, including most total yards, points, touchdowns and passing yards.

With 17.5 sacks over his first two seasons at Ole Miss, Haynes already ranks tied for fourth in school history. The Jacksonville, Florida, native recorded 10 sacks in 2015, cracking the top five in the conference and ranking 19th nationally. Along with his sack total, Haynes tallied 16.5 tackles for loss and finished the season with 43 tackles.

Follow Ole Miss Football on Twitter (@OleMissFB) and Facebook (Facebook.com/OleMissFootball), in addition to www.OleMissSports.com.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Information

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