It didn’t take long for Ole Miss’ season outlook to dramatically change — less than a quarter of play to be exact. In the opener against Florida State, top cover corner Ken Webster and expected rushing anchor Eric Swinney each went down for the season with knee injuries. A week later, emerging freshman receiver DK Metcalf broke his foot and didn’t play again.

Just like that, Ole Miss went from preseason contender — ranked No. 11 in the opening poll — to 1-2. The finish wasn’t any better, an embarrassing blowout in the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. There were blown three-touchdown leads early on against Florida State and Alabama and a sliver of hope after a complete win against Georgia. But what for a half looked like the only team in America capable of beating expected-to-be 15-0 Alabama, the Rebels’ season ended in one loud thud, 5-7 and no bowl.

Here were some of the good things among a lot of bad.

Offensive MVP — Evan Engram: Engram missed the Egg Bowl. That was the only disappointment to an otherwise career year for the Ole Miss tight end. Engram finished second in the SEC in receiving yardage with 926 on 65 catches with eight touchdowns. He was one of two tight ends in the top 20 in receiving.

Engram had three 100-yard games and a pair of 95-yard games before his season ended with an injury against Vanderbilt. Before leaving that game, he had become a safety net to new true freshman quarterback Shea Patterson with six catches for 102 yards.

At 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, he’s much more receiver than physical tight end and his place in the NFL is to-be-determined, but the catches Engram made will have him there. Engram was the hidden jewel of the 2013 recruiting class.

Defensive MVP — Marquis Haynes: It was a rough season for the defense. The Rebels were last in the SEC in scoring defense, last in rushing defense and seventh in passing defense. But it was another solid year for junior defensive end Marquis Haynes. One of only five defensive players to start all 12 games, Haynes was third with 53 tackles and led the Rebels with 11 tackles-for-loss, 7.0 sacks and 8 quarterback hurries.

Had Fadol Brown been healthy all season at the other end, Haynes’ numbers would have been better. He is as good as gone to the NFL.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive end Marquis Haynes (10) works out prior to the game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie of the year — Van Jefferson: This is a tough category to swallow for Ole Miss fans because of what might have been.

Metcalf was well on his way after a pair of highlight touchdown catches before breaking his foot. Swinney missed his debut season again, with a knee injury after one play. Receiver A.J Brown (29 catches, 412 yards, 2 TDs) and ever-improving freshman left tackle Greg Little warrant consideration.

Ultimately the honor goes to Jefferson, who wasn’t thrilled about redshirting last season but knows it paid dividends. Jefferson caught a team-second 49 passes for 543 yards and three touchdowns. He was named the most improved player of the spring and carried it all the way through the season. He will be on a lot of radars as a sophomore in what should be a very dangerous corps despite the losses of Engram and Damore’ea Stringfellow.

Assistant of the year — Matt Luke: The assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach had his hands full. Injuries shuffled his front to the point of starting guard Javon Patterson at center and starting a pair of freshman tackles in Little and Alex Givens.

Despite the unforeseen alignments, lack of a consistent running game and quarterback change for the final three games, Ole Miss ranked fourth in the SEC in scoring (32.6) and first in passing (314.9 YPG). The Ole Miss staff will look different after years of consistency under Hugh Freeze. Luke won’t be one of the changes.