Metcalf loves idea of replacing Treadwell

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, January 6, 2016

D.K. Metcalf doesn’t mind the comparisons. In fact, the former Oxford wideout and Ole Miss commit is enamored with them.

“I love when people say, ‘Oh, you’re going in to replace Laquon Treadwell’s spot,” said Metcalf, referencing the former Ole Miss receiver. “It kind of makes me feel good knowing that they see the potential I have.”

The reasons for the likeness are obvious.

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The 200-pound Metcalf is similarly built to the 6-foot-2, 212-pound Treadwell, though, at 6-3, Metcalf’s already got more length to him than the future first-round draft pick. Both used that physicality on the outside to put up the most productive seasons ever for a pass catcher at their respective schools.

Treadwell set single-season school records for catches (82), receiving yards (1,153) and touchdown receptions (11) in his third and final season with the Rebels. Metcalf’s senior year at Oxford saw him set a single-season record with 1,455 receiving yards while he caught 22 touchdowns, breaking his own school record of 19 set in 2014.

Metcalf earned co-MVP honors in the annual Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic last month after catching five passes for 151 yards and two scores to help his home state end a seven-game losing streak to Alabama. He’ll wrap up his prep career in the U.S. Army All-American Game on Saturday in San Antonio (noon CT, NBC).

Metcalf, the son of former Ole Miss offensive lineman Terence Metcalf, has been verbally committed to Ole Miss since before his sophomore season, which is the same time Treadwell arrived in Oxford after signing with Ole Miss as the nation’s top receiver prospect coming out of Crete-Monee High (Crete, Illinois) in 2013.

Living just minutes from Ole Miss’ campus, Metcalf has been a frequent visitor to the Rebels’ football facility, sitting in on receivers’ meetings during the season. Metcalf said the pair struck up what’s turned into “a brother relationship” during one of those meetings during Treadwell’s freshman season.

“I sat in the back quiet,” Metcalf said. “I wasn’t talking, and (the receivers) started joking and making jokes about everything. I kind of hopped in, and that’s how all that started.

“We talk almost every day. He gives me tips on what I need to work on and asks me questions like what do I do on this. It’s really like we teach each other everything. I call him my big bro.”

Once Metcalf signs with Ole Miss next month, he’ll go to work trying to help replace the void left by Treadwell. The Rebels have Damore’ea Stringfellow returning on the outside as well as redshirt freshmen DaMarkus Lodge and Van Jefferson joining the mix next season, but Metcalf has the body and the skill set to push for playing time immediately.

“All I have to do is just go work,” Metcalf said.