Jeremy Sprinkle

The proliferation of spread offenses have impacted tight ends as much as any position in football with many at the position now essentially just overgrown receivers who rarely are asked to block. In part because they come so rarely now, those players with the combination of size, strength and speed to truly play the traditional tight end role remain highly valued in today's NFL, even if they are lacking in eye-popping production. The latest to test this theory is Sprinkle, whose production surprisingly dipped as a senior after leading all tight ends in the SEC with six touchdown receptions as a junior. Though he lacked the eye-popping production which earned former Arkansas stars Hunter Henry and D.J. Williams the Mackey Award in 2015 and 2010, respectively, the NFL scouts traveling through Fayetteville in 2016 were likely just as impressed with Sprinkle's length and physicality as a blocker.

in our view

Teams looking for a traditional full-feature tight end will like Sprinkle, who appears just as satisfied with delivering a block in the running game as he is catching touchdowns. Though not a featured target in Arkansas' offense like his predecessors, Sprinkle collects the ball cleanly as a receiver and is surprisingly effective after the catch, running with both speed and power.

strengths

Sprinkle looks like the part of an "old school" tight end with broad shoulders, a trim middle and very long, well-built limbs. He is well built for blocking at the line of scrimmage, using his length and powerful base to only corral but actually control opponents, even pancaking the occasional defender. For a man of his size, Sprinkle builds up to impressive straight-line speed, accelerating with long, powerful strides which help him out-run or simply bulldoze his way through would-be tacklers. While perhaps lacking elite hands, Sprinkle is a generally reliable pass-catcher, showing the ability to time his leap and pluck the football out of the air in jump-ball situations. Just as importantly, Sprinkle knows how to shield defenders on short throw over the middle, "swallowing" the ball with defenders draped over him.

compares to

Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars

weaknesses

Sprinkle lacks ideal initial quickness, which can get him in trouble as a blocker and as a receiver. Too often he is forced to recover as a blocker, something he can pull off at the college level because of his long arms, balance and strength but may struggle with in the NFL. His delayed release is compounded as a receiver because Sprinkle has heavy, almost plodding feet which keep him from getting into and out his breaks efficiently. He did not drop any passes on tape but does not appear to have "natural" hands, fighting the ball a bit as he secures it. Comes with character red flags after being suspended for the 2016 Belk Bowl, the final game of his career with the Razorbacks, for allegedly attempting to steal items during a sponsored "shopping spree" at a participating Belk store. Sprinkle (and the game's other players) were given 90 minutes to spend a $450 gift card. Sprinkle reportedly attempted to leave with items worth more than the allotted amount, drawing a suspension from head coach Bret Bielema.

sprinkle is not quite as big as the 6-6, 280 pound lewis and the game has changed a bit in the 10 years since the jaguars invested a first round pick in him. each possess the size, speed and wingspan to carve out a long career in the nfl, though the majority of their touchdowns could come as a red zone specialist rather than as a dynamic threat down the seam.

--Rob Rang, 1/3/2017

A versatile two-way standout for White Hall, playing tight end and defensive end

Ranked as the No. 5 overall prospect in Arkansas and the 15th-best tight end in the country by 247Sports and as the No. 7 overall prospect in the state by Rivals

Caught 45 passes for 841 yards and six touchdowns and made 92 tackles, including 14 sacks, in helping the Bulldogs win the 2011 5A Southeast Conference championship and reach their first state semifinal in 20 years

Named to the 2011 Arkansas Super Team by the Associated Press and was a three-sport All-Southeast Arkansas selection by The Commercial, being honored in football, basketball and baseball

Selected to play in the 2012 Arkansas High School Association All-Star Game

Tallied 73 tackles, 25 for loss with 15 sacks as a junior and also made 10 catches for 227 yards and three touchdowns

Coached by Mike Vaughn

Chose Arkansas over Mississippi State, Purdue, Kansas and Louisville.

Born Aug. 10, 1994

Son of Billy and Shelia Sprinkle

Brother, Aaron, was an offensive lineman at Ouachita Baptist

Earned his undergraduate degree in recreation and sport management in May 2016

Two-time Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree (2013, ’14).

2016

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
33.0	11.5	4.0	31.0	380.0

2015

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
4.0	0.0	4.0	1.0	4.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
27.0	14.4	6.0	42.0	389.0