Drew Ogletree on Trucking Eagles Defender
Indianapolis Colts tight end Drew Ogletree was taken in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury.
He saw his first action of the preseason against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, and he quickly made an impression.
After missing the full year, it's going to be hard to get the smile off of his face now that he's back on the field. "Amazing" was the key word as Ogletree spoke to reporters on Sunday.
"I think it went amazing," said Ogletree of Colts training camp. "Missing out last year, I've got strong feelings about being out there this year. I went down for a couple weeks, but now that I'm back out here, I feel amazing."
"We've got a lot of young guys and a great leader in Mo (Alie-Cox)."
Ogletree was thankful for the preseason action and the joint practices to help him get up to speed after missing so much time. He certainly left an impression on Eagles' safety Justin Evans.
"I think it was very significant," said Ogletree of joint practices and the game with the Eagles. "My last time on the field in a real game was Buffalo of last year. So just getting those nerves, getting those butterflies out of my stomach, and just getting on the field and having my family text me 'Hey, I love seeing you out there,' and my mom, my son watching."
"It was amazing."
"I don't think I needed the catch to prove it, but it definitely played a big part," said Ogletree. "Getting to lower my shoulder and really... truck somebody felt amazing," Ogletree said with a big laugh. "I know my son was happy; my brother was happy. It was great."
Ogletree is confident he can contribute to a young Colts offense.
"I feel like being my size, and I feel like I do have a little speed to me," Ogletree said with a grin, "I think I have a lot I can give to this team. When I first got here I said I was a ball of clay, and coach Steichen and that offense, they can mold me into whatever they need to perform in this offense."
The young Colts offense is hungry for playmakers. We've predicted Ogletree to make the 53-man roster. If he can build on the momentum he started against the Eagles, there will be plenty of opportunities for him in 2023.
