Ole Miss tight end Caden Prieskorn playing key role in resurgence of Rebels’ running game
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss ground game has experienced a resurgence of late, and just in time as the 6-1 (3-1 SEC) Rebels continue on through the gauntlet that is the SEC. But in the early goings of the season, yards were tough to come by. Through the first four games (Mercer, Tulane, Georgia Tech and Alabama), the Rebels rushed for 587 total yards on 134 attempts (4.3 yards per attempt).
In the last three games (LSU, Arkansas and Auburn) Ole Miss has rushed for 736 yards on 150 carries (4.9 per attempt). The Rebels currently sit in third place in the SEC, behind LSU and Tennessee, in rushing yards with 1,323 on the season, a 189.00 yard per game average.
Coach Kiffin was asked in his Sunday evening zoom call with media to what he attributes the run-game improvement — and he quickly gave credit to tight end Caden Prieskorn.
“I think Prieskorn makes a difference. I know he does. (He’s a) big physical tight end, and I just think that we’re hitting the runs better from the running back position and being patient. Then we’re doing a better job up front, so that kind of is an obvious (answer), but I think Prieskorn’s been a big difference.”
Lane Kiffin on Prieskorn’s impact on rush game
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Memphis transfer was always expected to be a big part of the team’s offense this season, both with his sure hands and his blocking ability. But he suffered a foot injury during fall camp and was not able to play in Ole Miss’ first three games. He made his debut in a Rebel uniform against Alabama but was just trying to get accustomed to playing with his new team.
It didn’t take long.
“We were missing him earlier in the year and I think trying to make a little too much happen at the running back position sometimes early on,” Coach Kiffin said.
After the loss to the Tide, the Rebels faced a must-win game at home vs. LSU. Prieskorn’s consistent blocking was critical, and he also made some huge catches on third down for Ole Miss, helping the Rebs convert when every possible series and every potential point mattered against LSU.
Check out this block by TE Caden Prieskorn.
Tell me he doesn’t make a difference in this offense. https://t.co/rMNe6IrUQB
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) October 2, 2023
After the win over Auburn Saturday, quarterback Jaxson Dart talked about what Prieskorn brings to the offense and to the run game.
“I mean I feel like that’s pretty self-explanatory. You watch the run game when he (Prieskorn) wasn’t in versus now him being in, it’s almost like having another offensive lineman out there. He’s kind of a cheat code.”
Jaxson Dart on Caden Prieskorn
Prieskorn made two big catches for 63 yards for Ole Miss at Jordan-Hare Saturday, the most yards by an Ole Miss tight end since Casey Kelly put up 81 yards on seven catches at Auburn in 2021. Prieskorn’s 34-yard catch in the first quarter stands as an Ole Miss career high.
OH MY 😳@JaxsonDart ➡️ @cpkorn12 pic.twitter.com/X121flzmSe
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 21, 2023
His quarterback is definitely appreciative.
“What he does and he’s able to make plays in the passing game, you saw that tonight. It was huge to have him at 100 percent. He’s definitely a person that makes our offense go to another level.”
Dart on Prieskorn
And of course any discussion about the increased rushing production must also include running backs Quinshon Judkins and Ulysses Bentley IV. The duo has been sharing the load, complementing one another quite well, and they are a formidable one-two punch.
Coach Kiffin thinks that, too, is helping the ground game production.
“I thought Q (Quinshon Judkins), especially, ran really hard last night. Really aggressive, hard, physical, attacking. I think maybe a part of that, too, is we’re not overplaying him as much as we have sometimes. The reps are a little bit more balanced between the two running backs and I think that’s helping also.”
Lane Kiffin
Next Up
The Rebs will return to Oxford to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores for Homecoming on Saturday, October 28. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
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.
