Through the first two weeks of training camp, Indianapolis Colts tight end Andrew Ogletree has made a strong impression on his coaches and teammates.
Selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft, Ogletree appeared to be more of an intriguing project behind Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson and third-round pick Jelani Woods.
While Ogletree didn’t receive the same amount of buzz as Woods following the draft, he has quickly made an impression on the coaching staff. So much so that Ogletree saw reps with the first-team offense during Thursday’s training camp practice.
Offensive coordiantor Marcus Brady told the media Thursday that Ogletree has earned that right, along with monitoring Alie-Cox’s reps.
“It’s just kind of the rotation but he is moving up. I mean you can see he’s making play after play,” Brady said. “Part of it is monitoring Mo Alie-Cox’s reps a little bit as you saw he got banged up on that first day. He’s fine. So, just kind of rotating the guys, seeing what they can do.”
The Colts raved about Ogletree ever since they selected him in the sixth round. In fact, they said they had their eyes on him for two years before finally drafting him in 2022.
An extremely athletic tight end, Ogletree has the physical profile to thrive as a Y tight end in the Colts offense. While Alie-Cox and Woods share the same position and unique athleticism, it has been Ogletree making headlines.
Even though Alie-Cox is going into his first year as a starter, he has taken on the role of a mentor for the younger players in the room. Ogletree has taken advantage of that opportunity every step of the way.
And though he’s competing for snaps with a fellow rookie in Woods, it’s all about making each other better.
“Staying in the film room, learning from the vets, especially from Mo (Alie-Cox). He’s going on his fifth or sixth year now,” Ogletree said. “I am grateful I have a veteran like that and also to have a fellow rookie that was drafted with me, so nice competition. We’re roommates. I consider him my best friend on the team. Every time we go get lunch or every time we come back to the hotel, we’re always just chilling and talking it up.”
The Colts tight end room has the potential to be a lethal unit if it all comes together. The sheer size and athleticism oozing from the room are quite frankly insane. Every player in that room is a mismatch athletically.
For Ogletree, who comes in needing to make an impression, he’s just focusing on taking it one day at a time.
“Yeah, it definitely boosts my confidence. Just coming in day in and day out, doing my job. If you make a play, you make a play, but just trying to work on your fundamentals and technique throughout everything,” Ogletree said. “That’s what it’s all about here. Everybody is the best of the best, and it comes down to footwork – all your fundamentals and everything like that. So, just really trying to hone in on those skills.”
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