There were pronouncements last season of increased roles for tight ends across the SEC.

Now, with a key coaching change in the SEC West, and another year of experience for tight ends in the SEC East, that prediction might finally come to fruition this season, one that might become the year of the tight end.

The advent of the tight end as a growing mismatch has revealed itself in recent years with O.J. Howard and Evan Engram, formerly of Alabama and Ole Miss, expected to be the first two tight ends taken in this spring’s NFL Draft.

Auburn already laid its cards on the table when Gus Malzahn hired Chip Lindsey, a big proponent of offensive play calling to feed tight ends. And then the Tigers followed it up by signing two tight ends in the 2017 recruiting class, its most since 2014

“We only had one tight end on scholarship was really the thing,” Malzahn said, according to 247 Sports. “We felt like we needed two tight ends, and coach Lindsey likes to use a tight end. We’re going to throw the ball more to the tight end.”

Along those same lines this season, Georgia’s Isaac Nauta expects to be a key figure in the Bulldogs’ passing game after he was third on the team in receiving last season. Nauta’s most notable game against Tennessee when he had five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. And Jeb Blazevich, who has shown flashes for two years, could be another threat alongside Nauta.

Hayden Hurst at South Carolina last season established a school record for most single season receptions (48) and receiving yards (616) by a tight end. Hurst was consistent, too. He had at least five receptions in five games and at least 80 receiving yards in four games. Hurst also became the first sophomore in school history to be named a permanent team captain.

Nov 26, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Hayden Hurst (81) runs during the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Clemson Tigers defeated South Carolina Gamecocks 56-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

“Based on what he did last year, there is definitely the possibility Hayden will be known by a few more people this year,” South Carolina tight ends coach Pat Washington was quoted as saying by The Times and Democrat. “I’m not sure how many tight ends are out there that are considered really good, but I think he will be in the mix. Because of that, people will know who he is.”

Florida’s philosophy is also bullish on the tight end, as the Gators have four returning tight ends and added an early enrollee in the 2017 recruiting class. The best of the bunch is DeAndre Goolsby, who had 38 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns, which was first on the team in touchdown receptions and third in catches.

His eight receptions at Vanderbilt were the most by a Gator tight end in a game since the 2009 SEC Championship Game, one shy of tying the single-game school record. Goolsby was also named to the John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List.

Texas A&M, not to be left out, will look to feature the tight end more as it shifts from its trademark spread attacks. The Aggies signed two tight ends in the most recent class.

“(They will) give us options offensively,” coach Kevin Sumlin said, according to The Eagle. “(They’re) real tight ends, not guys we’re moving to that, because that’s a direction we want to go. We want to give ourselves some more options. We want to give ourselves some more blocking surfaces, some other pass catchers, some different formations.”

Miller Forristall at Alabama is another future tight end star to keep an eye on as a former quarterback who has run the 40-yard dash in the high 4.6s. Ole Miss, meanwhile, has at least four candidates to replace Engram after the Rebels signed three tight ends in the 2016 class.

While C.J. Conrad at Kentucky, and Missouri’s Kendall Blanton will miss spring workouts because of offseason surgeries, they are also more than capable to contribute in expanded roles this season.