Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Ole Miss Rebels go into the 2015 season with their best group of receivers in quite some time. In fact, the Rebels have the best unit in the SEC. The Rebel receivers are even being mentioned as one of the top units in the country.
Ole Miss features returning starters Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core at two of the wide receiver spots. Markell Pack, a sophomore, will likely start in the third spot. Pack is a former four-star recruit who played a reasonable number of snaps in 2014. Quincy Adeboyejo, Damore’ea Stringfellow and Derrick Jones, a former defensive back who had a strong spring at a new position, could also factor in.
DaMarkus Lodge and Van Jefferson, two of the top 15 receivers in the country last year, according to most recruiting sources, will arrive in August. Lodge might be able to contribute this season, given his larger frame. Jefferson, however, will likely benefit from a red-shirt year. Jefferson is listed at 6-foot-2 and only 165 pounds. In a perfect world, Ole Miss will be able to red-shirt both players.
The Rebels will have one of the tallest receiving corps in the SEC this season. Ole Miss won’t have a receiver on their team who earns a significant number of targets under 6-foot-2. The height of the Rebels’ receivers will be a huge advantage against their opponents and a luxury for whichever quarterback earns the starting job.
The aforementioned players alone are reason for optimism, but it’s Evan Engram that puts Ole Miss over the top.
Engram is the top pass-catching tight end in the country. Engram posted big numbers last season, especially at the end of the year when the Rebels needed a spark. He finished the season with 38 catches for 662 yards and two touchdowns. I would expect his touchdown numbers to increase this season. Engram’s fluidity and acceleration make him a mismatch for most defenders in the SEC.
Engram will be mentioned alongside Hunter Henry, the Arkansas Razorbacks‘ tight end, as the best tight end in the conference. In fact, both of these players will vie for All-American honors. Henry is the better blocker of the two. Engram is the more dynamic receiver.
Ole Miss fans hope that Laquon Treadwell will be able to return to form in 2015. Treadwell suffered a significant injury against the Auburn Tigers last season. All signs point to Treadwell returning to form in 2015 and he is receiving plenty of preseason accolades. Treadwell’s leadership is so valuable and the team wasn’t the same after he went down.
Treadwell is one of the best players on the the Ole Miss roster and arguably one of the top players in the country. He has an excellent combination of route-running ability and physicality. Treadwell has tremendous strength and is perhaps more of a possession receiver than he is a downfield threat. When the Rebels want to attack downfield, look for Adeboyejo or Core to be the intended target.
In 2014, Ole Miss had four receivers catch at least 26 passes. The roster will return a great combination of both talent and experience in 2015. The Rebels should be able to rely on their receivers to make plays and make the new quarterback’s job easier. Given the size advantage the Ole Miss receivers will have, I would not be surprised if Ole Miss faces more zone coverage next season.
Ole Miss will be looking to capitalize on a wealth of experience and proven production returning in 2015. The passing game will need to remain a strength if the Rebels want to compete for the SEC Championship.
Levi Dunagan is a SEC Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Levi275.
