Replacing a first-round NFL Draft pick is never easy, but that’s what Ole Miss DT Breeland Speaks will try to do this year.

Former Rebel Robert Nkemdiche is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, which leaves Speaks with big shoes to fill.

According to The Clarion-Ledger, the redshirt sophomore isn’t lacking in confidence going into the 2016 season:

“If they want me to be better than Robert,” Speaks said, “I’m going to give them better than Robert.”

The Ole Miss coaching staff believes in Speaks, too:

“Breeland’s gotten some quality reps being Rob’s backup,” defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said. “He’s just a heck of an athlete, a big athlete that we play at three technique because he’s so athletic and has a knack for getting to the ball. He’s a guy you want in your foxhole.”

Speaks amassed six tackles, two for loss, in last year’s game against Memphis while replacing the injured Nkemdiche.

He’ll get his first chance to make a name for himself this season when the Rebels open against Florida State on Monday, Sept. 5, in Orlando.