Prospect of the day!
Day 7: Kenny Yeboah
Position: Tight End
College: Ole Miss Rebels
Projected Draft Class: 2021 (rs. Senior)
Projected Draft Round: 3-4
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 240
BMI: 29.2
Pro Comparison: Gerald Everett
Stats:
2017: 14 Rec - 20 Targ / 136 Yds / 0 TDs (Temple, rs. Freshman) 2018: 13 Rec - 19 Targ / 154 Yds / 1 TD (Temple, rs. Sophomore) 2019: 19 Rec - 28 Targ / 233 Yds / 5 TDs (Temple, rs. Junior) 2020: 27 Rec - 34 Targ / 524 Yds / 6 TDs (Ole Miss, rs. Senior / Grad Transfer)
My thoughts on Kenny Yeboah:
One of the most interesting Tight Ends in the 2021 NFL Draft, Kenny Yeboah displayed so many traits that you look for in an NFL Tight End. Once he graduated at Temple, he sought to transfer to Baylor to play under his old coach, Matt Rhule, at Baylor. However, after Matt Rhule became the coach for the Carolina Panthers (keep a lookout for the Panthers to draft Kenny), Yeboah rescinded his Baylor commitment and looked to transfer to Ole Miss.
Yeboah doubled his total previous TDs (6) in the 2020 season with Matt Corral and Lane Kiffin, after his 3 years at Temple where he was used largely in a pass-blocking role. This includes his game against Alabama where he hauled in 181 Yds and 2 TDs, including this beauty that went for 68 YDs, and set the single game receiving record for tight ends at Ole Miss... That's right, against the dominant National Champions, Kenny Yeboah set the Ole Miss record for receiving yards at his position. His stats could have been even more impressive, but he sat out for Ole Miss' bowl game to prepare for the draft.
Yeboah is effective at using his frame in the receiving game to come down with red-zone passes in traffic. He managed to reel in a TD pass from Felipe Franks during the 2020 Senior Bowl, showing off his long arms and his ability to use them as well. He is also able to move his body around to make just about any catch.
There are a couple of items that Yeboah will need to perfect at the next level, though. Firstly, one of the big ticket items I look for with a pass catcher is their reliance on body-catches to secure a pass. While Yeboah doesn't rely on body-catching, and makes most of his catches with pure hand talent, you can see several highlights here where he utilizes his body to secure a big pass:
On top of this, I would really like to see him bulk up to be used more effectively in the blocking game at the next level, or he may go the way of fellow-Rebel Evan Engram who is currently a similar 6'3"/240lbs. Despite his size, Kenny did show good pass-blocking skills at Ole Miss. PFF ranked him as the best pass-blocking tight-end in college during his 2019 campaign, where he didn't allow a single sack or QB pressure in 71 pass blocking plays. Interestingly enough, in an interview with the Grove Report, Yeboah shared that he never blocked in high school, and essentially only played WR and CB.
I'm highly interested to see where Yeboah lands. I would love to see him add some weight and refine his blocking to become more of the Antonio Gates style tight end; one that is shorter than you expect, but who can make plays with the ball and is efficient in the blocking game. Though, as most tight ends coming into the NFL, it will take a year or two to see if he's really going to shine for his team.
See For Yourself:
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