For a No. 11 Ole Miss team heading into an anticipated Labor Day opener against No. 4 Florida State, it is less a question of position battles and more a question of how many guys Hugh Freeze will play at some highlighted spots that are still being settled.

That includes many true freshmen.

Freeze said during Monday’s press conference that top receiver recruits A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf will see snaps against the Seminoles as they try and break into a wide receiver rotation missing Laquon Treadwell but returning big playmakers in senior Quincy Adeboyejo and Damore’ea Stringfellow. Redshirt freshman Van Jefferson gets his first shot in the slot.

“I love our receivers. I like them any week we play anybody,” Freeze said. “I’m always going to feel confident about that group.”

Left tackle will remain the biggest question until five-star recruit Greg Little is given the job. Little will get snaps in the opener, but Freeze said Monday that Little and junior Rod Taylor will split reps there against Florida State. Senior Jeremy Liggins, who missed the start of practice for violating team rules, is practicing there but will sit the opener.

Along the defensive line, Marquis Haynes has developed into one of the SEC’s most feared ends. Who is on the other end is a question. Senior Fadol Brown came out of a boot at the start of fall practice and is optimistic he will be a go for game one. John Youngblood is currently listed opposite Haynes, but it is likely that both see time there.

Their pressure will be put to the test against Heisman hopeful running back Dalvin Cook. Another freshman, Benito Jones, will get time eyeing Cook from defensive tackle.

“There’s no doubt we have a football team that is capable of competing with anyone in the nation this year,” Freeze said.

The secondary has been outspoken in praise of their own depth. The outcome of a brutal September – which also features home games against Georgia and Alabama – will have a lot to do with who separates from the pack. On the depth chart, sophomore Zedrick Woods has impressed his way to No. 1 free safety with junior C.J. Hampton at No. 2. No surprise at Rover that true freshmen Myles Hartsfield and Deontay Anderson are No. 1 and No. 2. Redshirt freshman Jalen Julius also made the two-deep behind senior Tony Bridges at corner.

Ole Miss practiced for the first time on Sunday on the new grass at newly bowled in Vaught-Hemingway. One player ready to get past practice is redshirt freshman back Eric Swinney. After missing all of last season after surgery to repair a stress fracture, Swinney is listed at No. 2 running back behind senior Akeem Judd.

As expected, the Rebels will be relying on a lot of young talent this season, and they have quite an opening month to get their feet wet.