Top tight end target Jayvontay Conner commits to the Rebels
OXFORD, Miss. — There is some serious mojo going on in Oxford right now — and that was even more evident after Juice Fest, ’22 where Ole Miss football picked up some key commitments this past weekend. One of those commits came from 2023 tight end Jayvontay Conner, a top target of the Rebels.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound, Kernersville North Carolina native joined some big names who were visiting Ole Miss.
The line-up for #JuiceFest22 is already a heater. Here are some more playmakers to get to know this weekend @ConnerJayvontay @JarcobyJ @Charleston_C10. Follow us over @TheRebelWalk for all the latest from the #PartyInTheSip. #RWRecruiting #ComeToTheSip pic.twitter.com/jKsQknUIn2
— LeeAnn Herring (@MissKYUS2011) July 30, 2022
On Friday, conner was in Oxford and it didn’t take long for him to share that something was brewing, indeed.
Hotty Toddy @coach_jdbaker ! pic.twitter.com/K8ss5sh6vE
— Jayvontay Conner🎬 (@ConnerJayvontay) July 30, 2022
Big news soon, stay tapped in 🙌🏽!!! pic.twitter.com/tr4jnLJV4l
— Jayvontay Conner🎬 (@ConnerJayvontay) July 30, 2022
Go get at them Ole miss fans ! https://t.co/E5qB1VeGVR pic.twitter.com/hHDafs7k8O
— Jayvontay Conner🎬 (@ConnerJayvontay) July 31, 2022
On the close of the summer recruiting cycle, Conner took to twitter and made it known another big playmaker was headed to play for the Red and Blue.
I’m homeeeeee let’s do it !!! @OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/A20ogDfiPb
— Jayvontay Conner🎬 (@ConnerJayvontay) July 31, 2022
He held well over 45 offers, and the Rebels were in a tight race for Conner’s talents with Pitt and Oregon.
But thanks to a tremendous job by co-offensive Coordinator and tight ends coach John David Baker who spearheaded Conner’s recruitment — as well as that Mississippi mojo — the Rebels continue to become a force with their 2023 recruiting class.
Jayvontay Conner’s Thoughts on Ole Miss
We had a chance to catch up with Conner prior to and after his announcement.
Conner on the way Ole Miss has recruited him that has stood out:
JC: “Ole Miss has been recruiting me very hard. They are some real cool people and they have a lot of fun over that way.”
Conner on the visit:
JC: “On my visit I noticed how much fun they have and how much of a family they are.”
Conner on what ultimately made him choose Ole Miss as his future home:
It has been a huge day for the Rebels on the recruiting trail. @TheRebelWalk had a chance to catch up with @ConnerJayvontay after his commitment announcement on what sealed the deal. #RWRecruiting #PlaymakersParty #CommitToTheSip pic.twitter.com/m0vd1GHup6
— LeeAnn Herring (@MissKYUS2011) July 31, 2022
Tight End U
Ole Miss is becoming the place to play and develop, especially if you’re a tight end. (Click here to read more about the tight end prowess at Ole Miss.)
The Rebs will be able to build upon the talent of Conner. He heads into his senior season as a three-star player and currently is the No. 43 overall tight end and the No. 23 athlete in North Carolina for the class of ‘23.
East Forsyth head coach Todd Willert on Conner to Ole Miss
Coach Willert On Conner’s X-Factor skillset:
Coach Willert: “His work ethic is Awesome. He just wants to keep on getting better. He is a tight end with wide receiver skills!!! Big and very soft hands.”
Coach Willert on what Conner will bring to the Rebel offense:
Coach Willert: “He can do so many things. Here at East he will line up as TE/HBack and WR. He can cause match-up problems and I believe that can carry over to college.”
Fit in the ‘Sip
It is clear Conner possesses a big-bodied frame and fits the role of a flex tight end quite well. He has incredible power, especially when it comes to his leg strength.
Another key asset is Conner’s speed and run ability. Despite his large frame he is quite quick on his first step and can move more like a wide receiver. He has a natural ability to catch the ball and with a little time working on becoming a stronger blocker, Conner is going to be quite a staple for the Rebels’ offense.
With some talented tight ends already on the roster, it seems as if head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff are no longer just rebuilding — but are now reloading.
Welcome to the Playmakers’ Club, Conner!
Hotty Toddy!
(Feature image credit: Lee Ann Herring, The Rebel Walk)
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
