Ole Miss great Donte Moncrief — apparently sufficiently fed — calls it a football career
Donte Moncrief, one of the greatest players in Ole Miss history, announced his retirement from football over the weekend.
Moncrief, a wide receiver, starred for the Rebels from 2011-13. He totaled 2,731 yards and 20 touchdowns over 156 Ole Miss receptions. Moncrief is a former four-star in-state prospect. He chose the Rebels in 2011 over Mississippi State, Oklahoma State and Alabama, among others.
“Thanks to everyone who supported me through out my football career,” Moncrief wrote on Twitter. “It was an honor to represent Mississippi the right way. (Ole Miss) will forever have a place in my heart.
“The (NFL’s Indianapolis) Colts gave a kid a chance, and I’m so thankful. I’m so thankful for every up-and-down moment.”
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Moncrief skipped his senior Ole Miss season to enter the 2014 NFL Draft.
At the time, he was ranked Top 3 in school history in every career receiving category, including a second-place finish in 100-yard receiving games (10). His career marks for catches, receiving yards and touchdowns were third-best all-time.
Moncrief had a school-record-tying five 100-yard receiving games as a junior — highlighted by 113 yards on six receptions in an Ole Miss win in the Music City Bowl. He had 59 grabs for 938 yards and six scores on the year.
Moncrief’s best season came in 2012, when, as a sophomore, he was named All-SEC by various media outlets. Moncrief set new career highs in catches (66), yards (979) and touchdowns (10).
He turned in a career-defining performance in the Egg Bowl — dominating with 173 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a win over the rival Bulldogs.
“So grateful for you big bro,” Laquon Treadwell, another all-time Ole Miss wide receiver great, wrote in response to Moncrief’s announcement. Treadwell, a one-time five-star, followed Moncrief to Ole Miss and went on to become one of three first-round selections for Ole Miss in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The others were Laremy Tunsil (Miami Dolphins) and Robert Nkemdiche (Arizona Cardinals). Treadwell played four seasons for the Minnesota Vikings. He’s spent the last three with three separate NFL organizations — the most recent being the Seattle Seahawks.
Treadwell added, “You inspired me the first time I saw you play vs Texas! Truly helped me believe Ole Miss is where I needed to be!”
Moncrief was a high-school All-American from Raleigh.
He burst onto the Ole Miss scene as a freshman — posting then-freshman records of 31 catches (for 454 yards) and four touchdowns. He was a freshman All-American.
Moncrief was drafted by the Colts in the third round (No. 90 overall) of the 2014 draft. He scored his first NFL touchdown — against the Pittsburgh Steelers — in October of that year. Moncrief had a career-high 64 receptions for 733 yards and six touchdowns in 2015.
“Feed him!!!” former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke wrote simply in response to Moncrief’s retirement announcement.
“Beyond proud of you, bro,” his former Ole Miss teammate, Emmanuel McCray, wrote. “Blessed to be on the same team with you. You set the standard.”
McCray included a goat emoji, usually reserved for references to the greatest of all-time.
At Ole Miss, Moncrief certainly has an argument.
“One of the best I’ve ever coached!!!” former Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze wrote.
“You changed the way I loved the game, coach,” Moncrief said in response to Freeze. “I appreciate ya.”
