5 2016 class SEC TEs who could make an impact
In recruiting, tight end is far from the highest priority position. In a pinch, teams can fill out a depth chart by converting bigger wide receivers or defensive ends. When it came to signing tight ends, the 2016 class had some counterintuitive results.
Florida, for instance, lost its 2015 starter, Jake McGee, to graduation, but failed to sign a tight end in this past recruiting cycle. Ole Miss, on the other hand, signed three top-15 tight ends and has one of the conference’s best, Evan Engram, returning at the position. Tennessee also has an established pass-catching tight end, Ethan Wolf, returning, and signed a pair of top-40 tight ends this class.
Based on recruiting rankings and opportunities to play, these five 2016 tight ends are most likely to make an impact in the fall:
ISAAC NAUTA, GEORGIA
The Bulldogs return Jeb Blazevich (15 catches, 144 yards, TD), so Nauta might not be the go-to tight end in 2016, but there’s no way the top prospect and only five-star recruit at the position from the 2016 class is kept on the sidelines all season. When discussing his recruitment with 247Sports, Nauta cited coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney’s plans to use the tight end in the passing game as the reason he stayed loyal to his Georgia pledge following the coaching change.
ROBERT TUCKER, SOUTH CAROLINA
With the departure of Jerell Adams (28 catches, 421 yards, 3 TD), the Gamecocks have an opening at tight end, and Tucker stands a chance to win the job as a freshman despite being a primarily defensive player in high school. Evan Hinson is another three-star tight end signee that could see the field as a rookie. In his previous stop at Florida, offensive coordinator Kurt Roper showed a tendency to involve the tight ends in the red zone offense.
LANDON RICE, AUBURN
Rice, an early enrollee, will be a big target (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) for the winner of the quarterback competition. While Auburn’s freshmen wide receivers may be the focus of the 2016 passing attack, expect a four-star talent like Rice to play a part as well. An early enrollee, Rice is battling sophomore Jalen Harris for the starting job this spring.
JAMAL PETTIGREW, LSU
The Bayou Bengals are determined to get the passing game going in 2016, and the 6-foot-6, 229-pound Pettigrew could be involved. The four-star signee and No. 9 tight end from the 2016 class is a former high school teammate of Leonard Fournette and the cousin of Detroit Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew.
GABE ANGEL, OLE MISS
Engram (38 catches, 464 yards, 2 TD) will be the Rebels’ go-to tight end, but Angel, a four-star signee, has a chance to earn the backup spot this spring. In a high-powered offense like that of Ole Miss, there should still be plenty of opportunities for the No. 2 tight end. The Rebels also signed four-star prospects Octavious Cooley and Jacob Mathis, but Angel is the only early enrollee of the three.
All recruiting rankings referenced are from the 247Sports composite.