Much credit is given to a power run game or athletic wide receivers when it comes to helping young quarterbacks, but it’s the tight end position that provides the most insight.
Having a player that can pass block, run block and catch the football is indispensable on offense and beneficial for a signal-caller. The Southeastern Conference faces youth under center, along with departing running backs and receivers for 2016.
With this being noted, a handful of experienced tight ends return to the conference and some are poised for a breakout campaign.
5. Jeb Blazevich, Junior- Georgia Bulldogs
Whoever wins the quarterback job between Greyson Lambert and five-star Jacob Eason, needs to look no further than Blazevich as its safety valve. The 6-foot-5, 248-pound target caught 15 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown in 13 games last season. He showed flashes of star power as a freshman, totaling 18 receptions for 269 yards and two touchdowns.
Blazevich earned Freshman All-SEC honors in 2014. He’s been a valuable run blocker, setting the edge for an average of 192.7 rushing yards a game in 2014 and 257.8 yards per contest in 2015.
4. Ethan Wolfe, Junior- Tennessee Volunteers
Wide outs Jason Croom (6-foot-5, 246 pounds), Josh Malone and Josh Smith all return, yet Wolfe stood third on the team in receiving with 23 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns in 2015. He extends drives on third down by creating separation to his spot, while having the physical built (6-foot-6, 245 pounds) to be a threat in the red zone. Wolfe is one of multiple piece that Joshua Dobbs will work with, in getting Tennessee an opportunity to win some big games.
Wolfe blocked for 2,908 rushing yards a year ago, with 1,288 of it coming from Jalen Hurd. He’s posted 46 receptions for 513 yards and two touchdowns in 25 career games.
3. Jeremy Sprinkle, Senior- Arkansas Razorbacks
Hunter Henry and A.J. Derby have handed the baton to Sprinkle for next season.
He’s one of the biggest tight ends returning (6-foot-6, 255 pounds), but don’t let his size question his athleticism.
Sprinkle recorded his best season as a Razorback in 2015, collecting 27 passes for 389 yards and six touchdowns.
He finished fourth on the team in receptions, fifth in yards and tied for second in touchdowns. Despite its ability to pass with Brandon Allen, Arkansas is run first offense. Sprinkle blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in Alex Collins (1,577 yards), who accounted for 20 touchdowns. The Hogs will have a new man under center and whether it’s Austin Allen or Rafe Peavey, it has an option to throw to in Sprinkle.
He currently stands at 38 catches for 541 yards and seven touchdowns in 38 games.
2. O.J. Howard, Senior- Alabama Crimson Tide
It is weird to see a physical tight end get overlooked in an offense, yet it was the case for Howard in the last two seasons until the 2015 College Football Playoff. The 6-foot-6, 242-pound freak athlete was a five-star prospect when he enrolled at Alabama in 2013. Howard had a mini breakout year in 2013, snatching 14 passes for 269 yards and two scores (19.2 ypc).
His receptions increased (17) in the following year; however, Howard did not reach the end zone in 2014. He tallied 260 receiving yards on an average of 15.3 yards per catch.
The same fate almost occurred last season. Howard would recorded 33 catches for 394 yards, but ended the regular season without a touchdown. His patience became an asset in the postseason, as he grabbed eight passes for 367 yards and two scores. Howard came full circle in the national title game against Clemson, achieving a bowl-record 208 receiving yards with two touchdowns on five receptions. Both his scores came in excess of 50-yard throws from quarterback, Jacob Coker.
He ended the season averaging 15.8 yards a catch and 602 receiving yards. Alabama coach Nick Saban has been focused on developing a complete player in Howard. He’s grown into being a solid blocking tight end, helping the Crimson Tide’s run game notch 205.5 yards (2013), 206.6 yards (2014) and 199.9 yards (2015) in three seasons. Howard has 69 catches for 1,131 yards and four touchdowns in 42 games.
1. Evan Engram, Senior- Ole Miss Rebels
He has the most career receptions, yards and touchdowns of any tight end on the list, and he’s coming back for his senior year. Engram is the smallest on the list—6-foot-3 and 237 pounds—but don’t let his size fool you. He is nothing short of a consistent, big time playmaker.
Engram is the lone returning SEC tight end that has averaged at least 20 receptions in his first three seasons: 21 (2013), 38 (2014) and 38 (2015). He finished the 2015 campaign with 464 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Ole Miss loses Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core to the National Football League, but having Engram back with Chad Kelly alleviates the stress.
Engram, like the other four guys, is also a willing blocker to pair with his excellence as a pass catcher.
He guided Mississippi’s running backs to 183.1 yards per game a year ago, generating its first 10-win season under head coach Hugh Freeze. Engram has 97 receptions for 1,394 yards and seven touchdowns in three years.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
