Ole Miss Rebels

Oxford home to nation's best tight end?

Published Jun. 17, 2015 11:13 a.m. ET

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There's no question that Ole Miss has some premier talent, with tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche and wideout Laquon Treadwell widely considered among the elite players in the SEC.

But what shouldn't be overlooked is that the Rebels also have a tight end who's not only been voted the best in the conference but might be the best in the country, according to ESPN's Edward Aschoff. High praise for the third-year player out of Powder Springs, GA, who was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2014.

Engram offers a unique combination of size, strength and speed as well as the ability to both catch the ball in traffic and bring in the occasional highlight-reel grab. At 6-foot-3 and 228 pounds, the athleticism and hands Engram displays are simply not typically seen from players of his size.

While his numbers to date aren't overwhelming -- 59 career catches for 930 yards and five touchdowns -- keep in mind that the junior averaged nearly 20 yards per catch in league play last year, and that was with Treadwell taking away a sizable chunk of the passing-game targets.

Treadwell's return from a horrific leg injury will of course be a major boon for the Ole Miss offense this year, but the presence of Engram as a safety valve might turn out to be equally beneficial for whoever wins the quarterback job that's up for grabs following the graduation of Bo Wallace.

(h/t ESPN)

Image Credit: Shana Lockwood, USA TODAY Sports