Transfer tight end Caden Prieskorn adds another dimension to Rebels’ offensive arsenal
OXFORD, Miss. — Since the advent of the transfer portal in college football, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has navigated it expertly, bringing in some of the nation’s best talent. Most recently, he was able to land two of the top quarterbacks in Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Walker Howard (LSU). At the same time, Coach Kiffin also addressed another crucial position, that of tight end, adding Caden Prieskorn to the team.
The Rebels brought in tight end Michael Trigg last spring, but he suffered an injury early in the season that took away from him making the impact many thought he would. While there was some depth at the tight end position, there was not much experienced depth.
So in order to solve that problem Coach Kiffin brought in Prieskorn, the former Memphis Tiger.
In three seasons at Memphis, Prieskorn registered 55 receptions for 681 yards with seven touchdowns. Last season was by far his most productive as he notched 48 receptions for 602 yards and seven touchdowns.
It has been apparent during spring practices that the Rebels are running more 12 personnel, meaning they are using two tight ends. So how does Prieskorn think it is going thus far in camp?
“I feel like we compliment each other so well (on offense). Like I do some stuff he (doesn’t) do well, and he (Trigg) does some stuff that I don’t do so well. So I feel like it’s been a great one-two punch.”
Caden Prieskorn on working with Michael Trigg
While stat lines are cool and what many fans tend to look at first when gauging a player’s talents, tight end is oftentimes a position that has talents that are not measured by stats alone — namely blocking.
When speaking with the media after Tuesday’s practice, Coach Kiffin talked about the type of player Ole Miss is getting in Prieskorn.
“I think he’s a really kind of do-it-all consistent tight end when you watched him last year. [He has] a very big frame. It seems like over time here we’ve kind of had more speciality tight ends. He’s a bigger frame I guess than anybody we’ve had, (and) that makes a difference in blocking, at point of attack. We were very excited to get him to add him to our group. He’s a very proven tight end, that has NFL measurables and is not necessarily like a receiver or a shorter blocker.”
Coach Kiffin on Caden Prieskorn
Prieskorn, from Lake Iron, Michigan, attended Orchard Lake High School before enrolling at Memphis. He is very much a big-framed tight end, as Kiffin said, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 255 pounds.
What is it that attracted Prieskorn to come play for Ole Miss?
“Kiffin in the past has had great tight ends at his previous places. I felt like at this one they needed a guy that could do both blocking and catch. I feel like me coming in (helps) push the room and just come here and compete. I was weighing out all my options, I had a bunch of people contact me when I was in the portal. I just feel like the way Kiffin uses his tight ends, and they said they needed one, I just feel like it would be a great fit. I just wanted to come here to compete and I feel like we have a great room all around. To be honest, I think our room is one of the best in the country. We just gotta come in everyday and show it.”
Caden Prieskorn
Prieskorn further expanded on his thoughts about Ole Miss.
“I love it so far.” Prieskorn said.
“I feel like coming here, there have been people that have challenged me. There’s so many great players around me that I have to do well. I’m a competitor and love to compete, that is why I came to Ole Miss.”
Caden Prieskorn
Open Practice
Rebel fans will have a chance to watch Prieskorn and the team this Saturday, April 8, when Ole Miss holds its second open practice to the public inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with a tentative start time of 10:45 a.m. CT.
Fans should park in the SJB Pavilion parking garage and enter through gate 33 in the southwest corner. Gates will open at 10:15 a.m. and seating will be available in the south grandstand.
Spring practice will culminate with the annual Grove Bowl on April 15.
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
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