Ole Miss set to battle Arkansas for 2020 TE from Lone Star State

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2020 TE Allen Horace (Photo: Brian Perroni, 247Sports)
Tight end is a a position of critical need for Ole Miss in the 2020 class and the Rebels have set their aim on one.

Ole Miss has offered three-star tight end Allen Horace out of Crockett (Texas) High School. The 6-4, 250-pound Horace is rated as the nation's No. 27 tight end prospect by the industry-generated 247Sports Composite index. Horace is the state of Texas' No. 85 player in the 2020 class.

The offer comes on the heels of last week's arrival of tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley to Ole Miss from Texas A&M. It's the first offer extended from Ole Miss with Finley's fingerprints on it.

Horace holds offers from Arkansas, LSU, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Maryland, Baylor, Houston, Pitt, Marshall, Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas-San Antonio.
Both Arkansas and Pitt hold 25 percent of Horace's Crystal Ball forecast, with 50 percent of the vote currently standing at cloudy.

Watch: Allen Horace's highlights

Ole Miss received a national letter of intent from tight end DaMarcus Thomas out of Saraland (Ala.) High School in the December early signing period. The Rebels' returning roster, however, is thin at the position having lost seniors Octavious Cooley and Jason Pellerin due to graduation at the end of last season. The only three scholarship veterans returning are sophomore Jonathan Hess, junior Alex Faniel and senior D'Vaughn Pennamon. All three are converts from other positions and none have seen any substantial playing time at the position. Also, walk-on tight end Chase Rogers, a transfer from Louisiana-Lafayette, could enter the mix.

247Sports evaluation of Allen Horace: Tall, long, two-way prospect with good height and great length. Possesses good size but plenty more frame space for additional bulk in college. Has been recruited at tight end and defensive end. Owns a basketball background that suggests higher ceiling on offense on the gridiron. Big catch radius and impressive high-pointing ability. Ball-winner in traffic. Times his jumps well and shows good ball skills and concentration. High potential as a red-zone target. In addition to jump-ball acumen, could provide "post up" ability on smaller defenders. Must adjust to playing tight end after predominantly spending time at outside receiver in high school. Has not been asked to play in-line or block in the box. Must expand route tree and improve precision. Often limited to vertical, outside-the-numbers routes for high school team. Can improve quick-twitch suddenness, which will aid in short-range route-running. Faces significant jump in competition coming from small-school ball. Possesses great physical tools, intriguing basketball background, and high frame potential, but is raw and must develop position-specific skills. May not get on the field early but could become reliable Power Five starter with proper development.

The Spirit says...
Obviously, new Ole Miss tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley is very familiar with Horace, considering his previous post in College Station and his deep Texas roots that go back to his high school playing days in the Lone Star State. This should set up as a down-to-the-wire recruitment, if Ole Miss can push its way into the picture. Arkansas could be the team to beat at the moment. Horace was committed to the Razorbacks for seven months prior to the staff change in Fayetteville. Of note, newly-hired Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles is recruiting him for the Razorbacks. 

As of now, Horace has official visits set to Arkansas (Jan. 17), Texas-San Antonio (Jan. 24) and Maryland (Jan. 31). We would not be surprised for Ole Miss to disrupt that schedule and land an official visit from Horace on one of those dates, though we cannot report that at this time.

SOURCE: Johnson, David. "Ole Miss set to battle Arkansas for 2020 TE from Lone Star State." OMSpirit - 247Sports.com, 5 January 2020, https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Ole-Miss-set-to-battle-Arkansas-for-2020-TE-from-Lone-Star-State-141674995