Six Rebels made the list for the coaches’ preseason all-Southeastern conference team on Tuesday. These players were voted upon by all 14 head coaches in the Southeastern Conference.
As part of the voting process, each SEC coach was not allowed to vote for his own players, a rule that was implemented 13 years ago.
Four members of the Rebels’ 2013 recruiting class made the list, including tight end Evan Engram, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche. The four juniors were all voted on the preseason coaches’ first team.
The other two Rebels to make the list included junior defensive back Tony Conner and senior defensive back Trae Elston. Conner made the second team and Elston was voted to the third team.
Engram worked his way up into being one of the top tight ends in the country after entering the program in junior year.
Last season, Engram was a second team All-American by Sports Illustrated and a unanimous All-SEC first team selection. Engram reeled in 662 receiving yards and led the nation for tight ends with 17.4 yards per catch.
Treadwell was a second team All-SEC selection by Athlon last season despite missing the last four games of the season with a broken fibula and dislocated ankle suffered against Auburn. Treadwell is also 13th in school history with 120 receptions.
Tunsil returns to Ole Miss as one of the top offensive lineman in the country and a potential top five pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Since playing as a freshman, Tunsil has only been responsible for giving up two sacks since becoming a starter in 2013. Tunsil was a first team All-SEC pick by the Associated Press last season.
Nkemdiche was a second-team All-America pick and first team All-SEC selection last season as the defensive lineman totaled 35 tackles, four tackles for losses and two sacks last season.
Conner was a second team All-SEC pick last season as he totaled 69 total tackles, 38 solo tackles with one interception last season.
This is the the first time that Elston has been voted on the All-SEC honors for the preseason. Elston racked up 59 total tackles, three tackles for losses, three passes defended and one interception last season.
