Washington Football: Don’t sleep on Temarrick Hemingway stealing No. 2 TE spot

Nearly 500 miles separate FedEx Field from Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, South Carolina. For Temarrick Hemingway, the long journey from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg to NFL tight end for the Washington Football Team has seemingly been a grind.

Since the year 2000, only eight players have been drafted into the league from SC State. To put it into perspective, 137 players were drafted from Alabama in the same timeframe. Hemingway has overcome the odds by even making it to the professional level after playing ball at a small school.

Entering his sixth professional season, the Longs, South Carolina native has struggled to find a consistent home base after being selected by the Rams in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has been a part of four teams, and found limited playing time due to injuries and inconsistency.

Even though Hemingway is entering his second season with Washington, he has reportedly shown a real sense of belonging through the first couple weeks of training camp. His ability to catch the ball as a sizable target, and willingness to mix it up as a blocker has been on display.

Washington Football Team Staff writer Zach Selby further highlighted an important budding relationship between Hemingway and Washington’s expected starting quarterback.

Temarrick Hemingway could steal the Football Team’s No.2 TE spot.

Performing well in training camp can go a long way for those on the roster bubble.

Hemingway entered camp as a fringe player, but a strong performance thus far has apparently paid off for the gritty, well-traveled tight end. Per NBCS WFT Insider JP Finlay, “at this moment Hemingway looks to have the No. 2 tight end role solidified.”

Fresh off a three-year, $24 million contract extension, Logan Thomas is the unquestioned starting tight end for the Football Team heading into the 2021 campaign. Behind Thomas, however, there is a story of inconsistency and inexperience.

Hemingway, rookie John Bates, veteran Ricky Seals-Jones, and former college basketball player Sammis Reyes are the main candidates for two of three likely spots on the final roster. With Bates being a probable lock due to draft status, the last tight end spot will presumably come down to Hemingway, Seals-Jones, and Reyes.

While Seals-Jones is arguably the biggest competition for Hemingway, the 28-year-old Hemingway has a realistic chance to secure the backup job if he can continue to stand out in camp and the remaining preseason contests.

In reality, there is plenty of time for all tight ends on the current roster to make their mark before the Week 1 season opener. As of now, it looks like Hemingway has the inside track for the No. 2 role. Regardless, this group will be worth keeping an eye on to see who can stand out above the rest. Washington needs a strong secondary option at the position if Logan Thomas were to miss any game action due to injury or otherwise.

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