Evan Engram turns in strong performance at Ole Miss Pro Day
OXFORD, Miss. – Evan Engram hasn’t thought too much about his current draft stock, but the former Ole Miss tight end is hopeful his performance at Ole Miss Pro Day on Monday left a good impression on the 48 scouts from the 31 NFL teams in attendance.
Since the NFL Combine, where he clocked the fastest time amongst tight ends–a 4.42–in the 40-yard dash, Engram has received positive feedback from scouts about his performance.
In addition to the 40-yard dash, Engram was also the top performer at the Combine in the vertical jump (36 inches), three-cone drill (6.92 seconds), and 20-yard shuttle (4.23 seconds). On Monday at Pro Day, Engram reunited with 23 of his former teammates, participating in position drills and catching passes.
“It was an awesome day. It’s a blessing to be out here with my brothers. It was fun to support my brothers and see them kill the numbers and also show what I can do catching and doing some blocking.”
Evan Engram on Pro Day at Ole Miss
On Pro Day at Ole Miss, Engram ran the 60-yard shuttle in 11.44 seconds, which would have been the fastest time for any tight end at the NFL Combine. The way the Powder Springs, Georgia native has performed up to now, Engram’s keeping himself in the conversation to be a first-round draft pick.
Evan Engram and his excellent hands showing out at #OleMiss Pro Day. #NFLRebels #HYDR 🔵🏈🔴 pic.twitter.com/cRC0K2KDAL
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) April 3, 2017
On NFL.com’s 2017 Mock Draft, Daniel Jeremiah has Engram being drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys at No. 28 overall. Other sites such as Fox Sports and SI.com have praised Engram as being one of the best tight ends in this year’s draft.
When asked about his draft stock, Engram said he likes to think he’s a first-round caliber tight end.
“If that happens, it’s all in God’s hands. Just what I bring to the table, what I can bring to a team on day one, I believe I am.”
Evan Engram on being a first round draft pick
Engram has let his agent do all the thinking about his draft stock. In the meantime, Engram has been receiving advice from former Rebels Donte Moncrief, Laremy Tunsil, and Cody Core on how to handle the entire draft process.
Engram has scheduled visits with the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams, as well as other visits he didn’t want to mention. He’s planning to have a private workout with the Arizona Cardinals.
“I know I have been working with Donte since I been back here. Laremy has telling me to enjoy the process, enjoy the night, enjoy time with family, because your life changes once you get to the next level,” said Engram, who mentioned he will be at home with his family on draft night.
“Donte and Cody were here when I got back from the combine, so we have been putting in some work, and they are true wide receivers, so I have been picking their brain. Their aspect of the game has been big, and they have helped me a lot in that.”
Evan Engram
Rebels enjoy success at Pro Day
Quincy Adeboyejo, Fadol Brown, D.J. Jones and other members of last season’s team were in attendance on Monday for Ole Miss Pro Day.
- Jones’ 28 reps of 225 pounds in the weight room beat the 25 reps he did at the NFL Combine and was the most number of reps of the day.
- Adeboyejo increased his vertical jump by 2.5 inches to 37 inches.
- Damore’ea Stringfellow showed tons of athleticism on Monday, logging in a 36-vertical jump, a 10-10 broad jump, and a 4.57 40-yard dash. Also, Stringfellow put up 17 reps on the bench press.
- At only 170-pounds, Carlos Davis ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and bench pressed 225 pounds 15 times.
- Jeremy Liggins ran a sub 5-second 40, clocking in at 4.95 seconds. He also notched a 9-4 standing broad jump and a 31-inch vertical.
- Kailo Moore turned in a blazing 4.45 time in the 40.
- Derrick Jones had a monster day and was the top performer in the 40-yard dash (4.44), broad jump (11 feet), and vertical jump (41 inches).
(Note: The NFL will post official times on their website.)
Chad Kelly sprains wrist
Chad Kelly’s appearance at Pro Day was not as long as he would have preferred. The former Ole Miss quarterback sprained his throwing wrist during drills Monday. The school later announced Kelly will get another chance to perform in front of scouts on April 22 at Ole Miss.
(Feature image credit: Amanda Swain, The Rebel Walk)
Courtney Smith
Courtney is from Memphis and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Memphis in May of 2014. He began his journalism career covering the Memphis Tigers Men’s basketball team, which landed him an intern position on 730 Yahoo Sports Radio and a position with Rivals.com. A freelance writer for the Associated Press, Courtney is also a member of The Rebel Walk team and reports regularly on Ole Miss football and basketball. Courtney, the father of a six-year old girl named Soniyah, prefers to cover NCAA basketball and football, but is happy to report on any other sport that comes his way.
