Ole Miss has steadily improved since coach Hugh Freeze took over in 2012. The Rebels have won one more game each season, and capped 2015 off with a blowout victory over Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl.

Looking ahead, what is the biggest area of concern that could keep Ole Miss from continuing to improve in 2016? Surprisingly, it might not be what fans initially think.

The Rebels have to find replacements for future NFL stars OT Laremy Tunsil, DT Robert Nkemdiche and WR Laquon Treadwell. Ole Miss will also lose six starters on defense, including defensive backs Trae Elston and Mike Hilton.

Finally, with Florida State, Memphis, and Georgia on the schedule, in addition to the usual SEC West foes, Freeze’s squad will face one of its toughest schedules to date.

But none of those are the biggest area of concern. That would be replacing four departed starters on the offensive line.

Yes, Tunsil is one of those four players leaving. But Ole Miss has landed five-star OT Gregory Little, the third-highest ranked player in the entire 2016 recruiting class and best offensive tackle, according to 247 Sports. Little may be ready to take Tunsil’s place at left tackle in 2016.

Starting a freshman on the quarterback’s blind side can be risky, but Tunsil was able to do it and even made the AP All-SEC second team as a freshman. If Little lives up to his hype, Ole Miss should have no problems at left tackle.

The problem, however, is Ole Miss has three other holes to fill on an offensive line that led the SEC with a 5.56 yards per carry average against conference opponents.

The Rebels don’t have highly rated recruits to fill the spots left by departing senior starters RT Fahn Cooper, C Ben Still and LG Aaron Morris.

Redshirt freshman Sean Rawlings will probably compete with 2016 four-star commit Bryce Mathews for the right tackle staring role. Rawlings played in 10 games during 2015 and started while Tunsil sat out due to his NCAA investigation. During that time, Rawlings struggled and QB Chad Kelly was under a lot of duress.

In the middle of the line, freshman Javon Patterson is the favorite to start at left guard. Patterson appeared in 12 games, starting a few early in the season when the Ole Miss line was banged up.

Center is the biggest question. Not only is Still leaving, so is his backup Justin Bell. Robert Conyers is the obvious successor at center, but he tore his ACL in October. Three-star commit Eli Johnson is the only center the Rebels have recruited this offseason.

If Conyers isn’t ready at the beginning of the season, Ole Miss could potentially start three freshmen at left tackle, center and right tackle. But even if Rawlings and Patterson step up and win jobs, redshirt freshman Jordan Sims, who played in every game and started four contests at right guard in 2015, would be the most experienced linemen if Conyers doesn’t return.

Regardless of Conyers’ status, the offensive line will be very young. Granted, Ole Miss will be younger in a lot of positions.

The Rebels have five-star recruits to plug into the holes at defensive tackle and wide receiver. They also have a plethora of four-star commits coming in to help the defense.

At wide receiver, defensive tackle, defensive end and cornerback Ole Miss will be young and skillful.

The good news for Ole Miss — Kelly is back. Dak Prescott proved at Mississippi State in 2015 that senior quarterbacks can make up for a lot of deficiencies on offense. Kelly likely will have to make quick decisions and throws to help his inexperienced offensive line, particularly in early games against Florida State and Alabama.

The Rebels will need their young offensive linemen to step up and play prominent roles.