Belk Bowl: Tights Ends Jeremy Sprinkle (Arkansas) and Bucky Hodges (Virginia Tech)
Other than a potential Alabama versus Clemson title game, no other bowl game will feature two tight ends as talented as Jeremy Sprinkle of Arkansas and Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges. While both schools have talent at other skill positions, this game will be decided by the tight ends.
Both prospects possess solid size for the tight end position, with Sprinkle listed at 6-foot-6, 256 pounds and Hodges coming in at 6-foot-7, 245 pounds. Sprinkle is more of a traditional red zone threat, catching eight of his 11 career touchdowns from inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Hodges on the other hand, has been more of a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and routinely matches up with cornerbacks on the outside. He’s a vertical threat and has been a favorite target of quarterback Jerod Evans from anywhere on the field.
As a junior, Hodges doesn’t have to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, however his addition would add to an already loaded tight end class. Hodges is a potential day two pick in the 2017 NFL Draft if he declares, while Sprinkle is more than likely going to be selected on day three.