Cole Cubelic reveals the most impactful incoming transfer at Ole Miss

Ole Miss has been putting in work in the transfer portal in each of the last two cycles, finding both big-time names and players with high upside and potential in the portal.

Cole Cubelic broke down the top non-quarterback transfers for each SEC team heading into the season on his podcast, and he had a lot of options to choose from with the Rebels. He named many different players, including former NC State defensive lineman Joshua Harris and former UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin.

But Cubelic says the real answer for the most impactful incoming transfer at Ole Miss is former Memphis tight end Caden Prieskorn. He names multiples reasons why, including how Prieskorn might be able to further unlock star tight end Michael Trigg.

“I think Caden Prieskorn, tight end from Memphis, is the one that allows this offense to go because he’s gonna give you both aspects,” Cubelic said. “He can line up in line. Physically, he can move people. He’s a grinder of a blocker but he can also detach and find his way open and he’s got pretty good hands. He is not as athletic as Trigg, but having him on the field I think allows Trigg to do more athletic things. You don’t need Michael Trigg then to be as much of an inline tight end. I’ll tell you right now 12 personnel — one back, two tight end — everybody’s favorite formation right now. Especially when you got a guy like Trigg that you can move and do different things with and he’s still a matchup guy.”

Prieskorn spent the past four years with the Tigers, but really broke out in 2022 as a redshirt junior. The 6-foot-5 tight end had 48 catches leading to 602 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

He was named to the All-AAC second team for his performance.

“Being around guys in this offense — most of you’ve heard me say this before — the tight ends make that offense go,” Cubelic said. “Because formationly what it gives you, how you can motion, the different things that you can do at tempo with having a tight end that doesn’t just have to be at one spot and is not athletic enough to give you mismatches and do different things. When that position goes down, the offense changes a lot. I know it sounds crazy, but I kind of think Lane is gonna find some wide receivers anywhere. I do think they were they upgraded both Harris and the kid out of Louisiana Tech. But still, I think Caden Prieskorn, tight end from Memphis, gives him more versatility, more physicality, which is going to be important.”

Prieskorn is not just a receiving tight end. He can also block very well and isn’t afraid to block.

Adding a transfer like that can have a major impact on Quinshon Judkins continuing to run rampant across SEC football fields on Saturday afternoons.

“You got a running back that is the best returning running back in college football,” Cubelic said. “Let’s get somebody up there on the line of scrimmage that’s going to help move some people. Little more oomph. It’s what we want, what we need. Caden Prieskorn that dude for me, as far as the most important transfer.”

Transfer tight end Caden Prieskorn will make Ole Miss offense better

The Rebels have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the football, unsurprisingly with a Lane Kiffin-led team.

But of all the talent Ole Miss has acquired via the transfer portal, Cubelic thinks Prieskorn has a chance to elevate his teammates in such a unique way that could lead to tremendous impact.

“This was a position I just feel like Ole Miss had to have in this offense to make everything else go,” Cubelic said. “It’s gonna make life easier for Judkins. It’s gonna make life easier for that offensive line. For Charlie Wise Jr. calling plays, it’s going to make his life a lot easier too. It’s going to be a great benefit for Michael Trigg. One, he doesn’t have to do all the grinder, in-line, go block defensive end stuff as often and you’re able to take advantage of his athleticism when people bulk up and try to stop a two tight end set and he can run past you jump over you and dunk on your face. It’s that simple for me.”