1. Jaelyn Lay, 4-star TE
For better or for worse, freshman tight end Jaelyn Lay is going to play in 2019.
The Tigers lost starter Milan Richard and fellow senior Cannon Smith off of last year’s team. Garrett Williams, who played the H-Back position, is expected to forgo his final year of eligibility and enlist in the military.
That only leaves two scholarship players at tight end, not counting the freshmen: Braden Galloway and JC Chalk.
Currently, Galloway is suspended and could potentially miss the entire 2019 season pending an appeal on a failed drug test.
If that were to happen, I don’t think Lay just plays, I think he earns the starting position before the end of the season. He’s a very talented blocker and has developed into a good receiver, as well. He’s one of the few tight ends I’ve seen that truly want to do both.
I do think you’ll see the Tigers go with a lot of four wide receiver looks this coming season, but make no mistake about it: Jaelyn Lay is going to play.