The SEC will lose several big name tight ends to the NFL Draft this spring, including Arkansas’ Hunter Henry, South Carolina’s Jerell Adams and, more than likely, O.J. Howard of Alabama.
Here’s a look at the top tight ends that will look to replace them as the best at the position during the 2016 season.
- Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas – With Mackey Award-winner Hunter Henry off to the test the NFL Draft waters, Jeremy Sprinkle becomes even more of the man in Arkansas now at tight end. The junior led all SEC tight ends this season with six touchdowns as Henry’s backup. Sprinkle, who dragged would-be tacklers across 389 yards of turf this season, will have a new quarterback throwing to him next year, but the Razorbacks are flush with talent at the position. The new starter will have the 6-foot-6, 255-pound Sprinkle to throw to, plus a deep Hogs arsenal of wide receivers.
- Evan Engram, Ole Miss – Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram, after much speculation, has decided to return to Oxford for his senior campaign. Engram’s numbers slid from the 662 yards he posted his junior year, puzzling some considering he played in the most games of his career (12) and was in a dynamic Rebels offense. That’s not to say Engram didn’t do his share of damage as the team’s third-leading receiver. The Powder Springs, Ga., native finished runner-up in the SEC to Arkansas’ Hunter Henry in receiving yards at the position with 464 yards and two touchdowns. He returns for his senior year to pile onto his program-best 1,298 career-yards for a tight end.
- Ethan Wolf, Tennessee – Tennessee’s new tight ends coach Larry Scott has a deep talent pool to craft into the Volunteers’ offense next season, led by Ethan Wolf. The sophomore hauled in 23 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns this season, giving him 513 yard for his career. Wolf has his fans, particularly Vols alum Peyton Manning, who specifically requested to throw with the tight end during drills this past summer. If Wolf has Manning’s endorsement, then he certainly belongs on the list.
- Jeb Blazevich, Georgia – Jeb Blazevich’s numbers tapered off between his freshman and sophomore year from 269 receiving yards and two touchdowns to 144 and one, but a change of command in Athens could be just what the rising junior needs to reach the next level of elite SEC tight ends. Blazevich is a big target at 6-foot-5 and 248 pounds for whoever inherits Georgia’s starting quarterback position next fall. It shouldn’t take much, mostly passes in his direction, for Blazevich to return to the caliber of player that saw him earn All-SEC Freshman Team honors.
- Sean Culkin, Missouri – It’s not Sean Culkin’s fault that Missouri’s quarterback play in 2015 was subpar, at best. With freshman Drew Lock returning with a year’s experience under his belt, as well as Maty Mauk’s return to the Tigers, it’s hopeful that Mizzou’s offense will improve next year. Culkin (6-foot-6, 245) could be a big part of the new offense being sculpted by the Tigers’ freshly anointed offensive coordinator, Josh Heupel.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
