Defensively, the Rebels were young, and it showed.  Ole Miss ranked 90^th in the nation in total defense, and even though only a few guys leave, they still need more help.  The biggest losses to this defense come up front with the graduation of DE Kentrell Lockett, DT Justin Smith, and DE Wayne Dorsey.  All of these players led the defense in some capacity, and it is difficult to replace depth up front.  Safety Damien Jackson also was a senior, and he was third on the team in tackles.  All in all, the Rebels return a lot of experience next year, and they can hope that some young guys provide a needed spark in Coach Hugh Freeze’s first season.

Needs Met: Needs are met for the short term.  Offensively the Rebels needed some help up front, and they signed four offensive linemen.  However, three out of the four guys signed are JUCO transfers.  I think most will agree that Darone Bailey, Ben Still, or Pierce Burton will play next year, but they will not be on campus for that long.  The Rebels did fill some huge needs in the backfield by signing three quality backs.  I think Kenno Loyal at FB is going to be a load, and I look for RB I’Tavius Mathers to be a nice compliment to starter Jeff Scott next year.  Again, Ole Miss looked to the JUCO ranks to sure up QB help by signing Bo Wallace, and I think he could compete for the starting job in 2012.  The Rebs rounded out their class by signing a couple of receivers, but with the guys already on campus, I look for them to redshirt.

Defensively Ole Miss managed to keep DE Channing Ward in-state, and he is easily the best player in this class.  Look for Ward to come in and play immediately over the other three defensive linemen brought in.  The Rebs signed a couple of defensive backs, and most look for JUCO CB Dehendret Collins to come in and play immediately.  However, Safety Trae Elston is a bit of a sleeper prospect from the state of Alabama.  Elston has huge upside, and I would not be surprised to see him push for playing time next year.

Biggest Get: Channing Ward.  The teams in Mississippi have struggled to keep the top talent in-state, and Ward was a huge get for Hugh Freeze and his staff.

Biggest Miss: Anthony Alford.  The Rebels need a long term solution at QB, and they let Southern Miss get this guy.  That was a shock to say the least.

Final Evaluation: Ole Miss signed 17 players, but five of the 17 are JUCO guys that are only short term solutions.  While some teams have success doing this, the coaches are already having to recruit the JUCO replacements.  Also, outside of Channing Ward, there are not a lot of sure bets in this recruiting class.  Ole Miss fans better hope for a lot of sleepers in this class.

Final Grade:  C

Here is how the defensive linemen stack up heading into 2011:

10. Shariff Floyd, Florida, DT
9. Josh Chapman, Alabama, DT
8. Kentrell Lockett, Ole Miss, DE

Shariff Floyd was an all-world recruit coming out of high school from Philadelphia, and he looks like a man-beast for the future. He has all the physical attributes to make him the next great defensive tackle in the SEC, and he picks up on things mentally very quickly. Florida will be playing both a 4-3 and a 3-4 defense this year, so Floyd will have his opportunities to shine for the Gators…Josh Chapman looks to be the ever-evolving piece Nick Saban needs to run the nose in the 3-4 defense. With a full year of playing time in Saban’s defensive scheme, he is ready to be a factor for Alabama – a team that did surprisingly struggle to put pressure on the quarterbacks a year ago. He is Alabama’s most experienced lineman…Ole Miss received outstanding news when Kentrell Lockett received another year of eligibility granted by the NCAA. Last year as a senior, Lockett went down early in the year with a season-ending knee injury, and the NCAA did the right thing by granting him another year. The Rebels will lean on Lockett for both his leadership and playing abilities. If he can stay healthy, look for him to be a big factor for Ole Miss on defense.

7. Sam Montgomery, LSU, DE
6. John Jenkins, Georgia, DT
5. Jaye Howard, Florida, DT

Sam Montgomery is also coming off a season-ending knee injury for the LSU Tigers this past season. There is a ton of high expectations for Montgomery at LSU because he has all the makings of a good-looking defensive end in the SEC. As only a sophomore, Montgomery figures to be a major factor for the Tigers along their defensive front for the next couple of years…Georgia fans are hoping big John Jenkins can be the Mt. Cody for Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense. Jenkins is 6-4, 340 lbs and just a mountain of a man. Hopefully he can clog the middle for the Bulldogs’ defense to give the linebackers more ability to get in the backfield…Jaye Howard has quietly had a decent career at Florida for the first three years. However, the injury bug has kept him from having a tremendous impact so far. If Howard can stay healthy, he could end up being the best interior defensive lineman in the SEC for 2011. Playing alongside Shariff Floyd, Howard should be able to have a big impact for the Gators’ new-look defense.

4. Jake Bequette, Arkansas, DE
3. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DT
2. Malik Jackson, Tennessee, DT

Jake Bequette bleeds Arkansas football. He’s the fourth member of his family to play for the Razorbacks, and he has started all three years he’s been on campus. Entering his senior season, the expectations are high, and Bequette returns as this team’s defensive leader. He led the defense with seven sacks last year, and most think he is ready to have a much bigger impact on this Arkansas defense this season…Fletcher Cox is quietly one of the best defensive linemen entering the 2011 season for State. Cox started as a freshman and last year as a junior, and he had 29 total tackles, with 6.5 coming from behind the line of scrimmage. Cox really has a chance to have a breakout season for the Bulldogs, and he will have to be one of their leaders on defense this coming season…Malik Jackson has been around the block. He started at Southern Cal and transferred to Tennessee when Lane Kiffin took over at USC. He was the smallest defensive end on the Trojans’ roster, but he has made himself one of the best interior defensive linemen in the SEC. Jackson looks to have a big year for the Vols, as he is their best defensive lineman. I love this kid’s motor.

1. Devin Taylor, South Carolina, DE

South Carolina’s Devin Taylor looks to be the next great defensive end in a long tradition of impact-ends in the SEC. Taylor is tall at 6-7, but he is probably the most athletic defensive lineman in the SEC. His pass rush skills are incredibly good, and he added 7.5 sacks last season for the Gamecocks. There is no questioning Taylor’s pass-rush skills, but I look for teams to line up and run straight at him to take his strength away. Taylor is a freak of a defensive end that teams will have to account for on every play.

Ole Miss Rebels

Three Reasons Why

1. Brandon Bolden – Brandon Bolden gets lost in the line of great running backs in the SEC for 2011. Bolden is the returning starter, and he rushed for 976 yards and 14 touchdowns, including a 228-yard, two-touchdown performance against Fresno State. Bolden looks to be ready to have an impressive senior season in Oxford. He will have to be this team’s offensive leader. Bolden can also hit you with the passing game. He caught 32 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns a year ago.

2. Offensive Line – The Rebels do have a stable and talented offensive line. Last year, the Rebels ranked 1st in the SEC in sacks allowed, and they finished 19th overall in the country in that department. So, there is a staple to this offense. Run the football! Bradley Sowell and Bobby Massie are the leaders of this unit, and both play left and right tackle respectively. If Ole Miss has any shot at all this year to win the SEC, it will have to be done by running the football.

3. Kentrell Lockett – Kentrell Lockett returns from a year ago in which he got hurt in the fourth game of the year. The NCAA granted Lockett a sixth year of eligibility. This defense needs leadership, and it needs difference makers. During Lockett’s on the field presence, this defense held offenses to 113.5 yards rushing per game. Without Lockett, teams averaged 172 yards per game. If Kentrell can stay healthy, he will give this defense some leadership.

Three Reasons Why Not

1. Defense – This defense was ranked second to last in 2010 behind only Vanderbilt, and the Commodores beat the Rebels in Oxford. Ole Miss gave up an average of 400 yards of total offense per game, which was also second to last in the league. Ole Miss lists five returning starters from a year ago; however, only one – cornerback Marcus Temple – started more than eight games. The defense is the biggest reason why Ole Miss will not win an SEC Championship.

2. Too Young – The Rebels will be playing a ton of freshman in 2011. They do have talent, but they are really young. Defensive back Senquez Golson, linebacker CJ Johnson, and receivers Nickolas Brassell, Donte Moncrief and Tobias Singleton will all have to step in and play right away. This is a great opportunity for the nucleus of this football team to gel together and start right away for the freshmen. However, when you do start this many freshmen, things are bound to go wrong.

3. Quarterback Play – Is Randall Mackey the guy to lead this football team? The coaching staff seems to think so. However, backup Barry Brunetti could be the answer. Jeremiah Masoli was supposed to step in during one season and be a difference maker. He was not ineffective against SEC defenses. Now, they are virtually asking Mackey to do the same thing. If Mackey is not the quarterback everyone seems to think he is, it could be another long year for this team.

Lockett is really a good football player. He is no doubt one of the best football players on campus in Oxford right now, and he has been the defensive leader for Ole Miss over the last couple years. However, in his fourth game this past season, Lockett suffered a torn ACL. He had already redshirted his freshman year in 2006, so everyone was rather nervous this would be the end of the road, and possibly the end of his career for Lockett.

He was between a rock and hard place. He was unsure if he needed to put his name in for the NFL Draft, even though he could not work out. He was urged to file a NCAA waiver that would grant him another year of college football, but there were no guarantees. Lockett expressed the wait was mentally taxing, and the idea that his football future would be in the hands of the NCAA didn’t help over the last several months.

However, the NCAA just ruled that Lockett would have another year to compete at Ole Miss. He told ESPN the following:

“I’d been waiting all that time just to hear a couple of words. The uncertainty was killing me. And just to finally hear that I was going to get a chance to play at Ole Miss again was one of those feelings you can’t explain.

“I just started crying, and I’m man enough to admit it. The big thing is that I can finally go to sleep now.”

And Houston Nutt can probably sleep better now knowing he will have a veteran leader for all those young defenders making their way to Oxford this summer – not to mention Ole Miss lost four defensive tackles.

Lockett is, however, still rehabbing his surgically repaired ACL, but he should be ready to go come Fall 2011. Any addition along the defensive front for the Rebels will be needed in the worst way.

Before his injury, Lockett had five sacks for the Rebels in 2010. Here’s to hoping he recovers 100 percent!

Most fans pointed at the loss of Dexter McCluster as the missing piece to Ole Miss’ offense in 2010, but I say that a guy like Shay Hodge’s 1,023 yds receiving and 8 TDs was missed just as much.  The Rebs didn’t have a guy like Hodge in 2010, and Markeith Summers had the most yds receiving in 2010 with 575.

Defensively, Ole Miss loses 8 starters on that side of the ball (3 D-Linemen, 2 LBs, 1 CB, 2 Safetys), and add in two more guys on the 2-deep to bring that total to 10.  I think losing both Safetys is a significant hit, but 3 of the 5 DB’s in Nickel Packages really hurts.  The loss of Jerrell Powe is going to be tough to replace, but Kentrell Lockett’s presence will be missed just as much.  All in all, this Defense was not great, so adding quality defenders was a big priority for Ole Miss.

Needs Met: Houston Nutt met the WR deficiency head on with this recruiting class by signing 5 WRs.  Three of those receivers are high profile guys (Tobias Singleton, Nickolas Brassell, and Donte Moncrief), and I think Singleton may be the best of the bunch.  Singleton is 6’2” 190 with 4.4 speed, and look for one or two of these guys to play a huge role on offense next season.

Ole Miss also signed two QB’s in this class.  One JUCO guy (Zach Stoudt), and Maikhail Miller came straight out of high school.  I think Stoudt is a short-term fix for the Rebs, and Miller is a quality long-term player at QB.

Four quality O-Linemen were added, and look for Aaron Morris to be the guy to push his way into the depth chart next year.

On the Defensive side of the ball, Ole Miss didn’t really make a lot of noise with their signings on the D-Line or defensive backfield.  However, signing linebacker C.J. Johnson was huge.  It looked like Johnson was going to Mississippi State, and in a late switch, he picked Ole Miss.  Johnson will probably be the starter on Day 1.  Besides Johnson, look for JUCO guys Uriah Grant and Wesley Pendleton to contribute.  Grant is a DT and Pendleton is a DB, both of those guys will probably play a big part on improving the Rebs Defense next year.

Biggest Get: I know most of you think I am going to say C.J. Johnson, and he is a huge pickup.  However, keeping Tobias Singleton and Nickolas Brassell in state was huge.  I have already elaborated on Ole Miss’ passing deficiencies last year, and I think these two guys give a huge boost to the offense.  Not only do they help the passing game, but they will certainly help Ole Miss in the run game by spreading out the defense.

Biggest Miss: I really think that Ole Miss needed to get one of these three instate guys:  DE Leon Mackey, DB Jermaine Whitehead, and DB Jalen Collins were all guys that went out of state, and they are all positions of need.  Any of these three recruits would have contributed in some way next year.

Final Evaluation: Ole Miss did a great job in state, and they absolutely out-recruited Mississippi State.  However, this was another season where the colleges in Mississippi failed to close down the borders.  I know I have said this before, but to win Championships at Ole Miss, they must lock down the instate talent.  I think most of Ole Miss’ needs are met with this class, but a couple more quality guys on defense would have helped.

Final Grade:  B+ (After going 4-8, this is a monster recruiting haul.)

The Rebels’ season isn’t over just yet, with games left against LSU, Tennessee and Mississippi State – and hopefully it will be a thrilling finish. However, 2010 hasn’t gone the way Ole Miss wanted it to, starting with a first game loss to Jacksonville State, currently being dead last in the SEC West and winning only one game in the SEC so far this year.

Jeremiah Masoli, and other Rebels, have had a few good games where they broke out as contenders. Mistakes were the keys to many losses, and the lack of defensive turnovers paints a pretty clear picture for the defense this year. Jerrell Powe and Kentrell Lockett were supposed to shine on the defensive line, stopping any rushes and making plays in the backfield. However, Lockett has had injury problems and is out for the season after he was injured in the Fresno State game. Powe hasn’t really been the factor he once was in past years. The secondary is also young. There is no need to rejoice in the offensive or defensive sides of the ball this season.

A look into next season will present a maturing defensive secondary; however, losses to two key members on the defensive line will be tough to fill. The quarterback position will once again be vacant for the Rebels, as Masoli moves on. Once again, Nathan Stanley will try to step up in his senior year and lead the Rebels in 2011. The Rebels did have some “unknowns” shine this year in Jeff Scott and Melvin Harris. With the return of Brandon Bolden for his senior year, the tandem of Scott and Bolden should make for a stout ground game for the Rebels. Wide receivers Jesse Grandy and Melvin Harris will make good targets for Nathan Stanley. The Rebel offense shouldn’t be too bad for next season. The defense will need work, but with a coach like Houston Nutt, I’m sure all will be well for the Rebels in 2011.

The rebuilding process will be long and hard for Coach Nutt; however, he has produced great NFL-style players in the past, and recruiting should be excellent for the season to come next fall.

Should Ole Miss start the rebuilding process with such a disappointing season so far in 2010?

Just a few weeks before the 2010 season kicked off, the Rebels thought they found their secret weapon. Their key to the top of the SEC West – Jeremiah Masoli. Due to his recent background and being dismissed from the Oregon football team, Masoli made the transfer to grad school at Ole Miss to become their quarterback with hopes of starting in his only year of eligibility.

Their hopes were nearly crushed when the NCAA ruled that Masoli would be ineligible to play less than two weeks before kickoff, only to reverse the decision the following week.

Lesson learned: Appeal NCAA decisions. Sometimes, they will change their mind.

The Rebels opened their season by shocking the entire SEC (and the reporters on every major sports network, and everyone in the country), but not in a good way.

The Rebels lost their home opener to Division I-AA Jacksonville State 49-48 in overtime thanks to a two-point conversion.

Translation: In the SEC, this is a great start for season suicide.

Masoli made his debut as a Rebel at the end of the first quarter. The Rebels began the game with gusto, scoring on five of six possessions in the first half. The Gamecocks then stepped up. They had no turnovers through the duration of the game and began closing in on the Rebels 34-32 with less than a minute left.

A two-point conversion sent the game into overtime and the rest is history – a history that still haunts the Rebels six weeks later.

Lesson learned: Never underestimate the little guy…and look out for two-point conversions.

So after the embarrassment the poor Rebels had to endure in week one, they travel to the Big Easy to face the Tulane Green Wave, in hopes of getting back on track. After all, they had won ten straight games against Tulane before this, so it should be a breeze.

Masoli started out great with 70-yard touchdown pass in the first half. Kentrell Lockett got his first quarterback sack of the season, Jason Jones recovered a fumble and Markeith Summers earned his first 100-yard game.

The Rebels leave the Superdome with a 27-13 win over the Green Wave and have an overall good game, despite looking slightly sloppy at times on offense.

Lesson learned: Masoli’s getting the hang of it, and the defense is improving, keep polishing.

1-1. It’s not the first time they’ve held this record, so there may still be hope. Especially by easing into the SEC with Vanderbilt, who is usually elected to finish last in the SEC. Right? Wrong. Ole Miss falls to Vandy 28-14, once again in front of the Rebel faithful. Masoli finished the game with 104 yards rushing and 190 yards passing, but that wasn’t enough apparently for Vanderbilt, who made good use of forcing turnovers on the Rebels.

Lesson learned: Again with the little guy…and hold on to the football.

Now the Rebels meet the Fresno State Bulldogs for the first time in Oxford. They finally hold their own and please their home crowd with a 55-38 victory over previously undefeated Fresno State.

Welcome to the SEC.

Brandon Bolden had a career-best 228-yard game with 19 carries and two touchdowns, one being a 71-yard touchdown run. With his outstanding performance and the Bulldogs enduring five sacks, a turnover a blocked field goal attempt, the Rebels prevailed, both defensively and offensively. The Rebels had 425 yards rushing, the most since 1977.

Lesson learned: Run. And get the ball to Bolden.

Back to the SEC at home. So far, not so good this year in the conference, so a shot at Kentucky will hopefully keep their SEC hopes alive.

Jeremiah Masoli was only average in this game. Aside from judging good field position throughout the game, he completed only 9 of 17 passes for 90 yards. But the Ole Miss defense stepped up their game and held the Wildcats 42-35, despite their touchdown in the opening drive of the game.

Three of the Ole Miss touchdowns were the product of Kentucky turnovers. The Rebels did cause panic by losing their lead from 42-20 to 42-35 nearing the end of the fourth quarter but managed to hold it for the duration.

Lesson learned: Complete more passes and don’t slack off towards the end.

Finally, the Rebels close out the first half of their season by playing the defending National Champions, Alabama.

Surprisingly, Ole Miss performed well in this game, despite losing to the Crimson Tide 23-10. The Rebel defense was outstanding, holding the Tide to virtually one touchdown (aside from the one that resulted from a penalty) and only field goals.

Penalties were a vice for the Rebels in this game. They racked up 12 penalties in this game alone, as the least penalized team in the SEC.

Masoli completed 18 of 40 passes, but most were the fault of the receiving end, who really could have helped turn this game around for the Rebels.

The fact that they were able to hold Alabama to only 23 points, considering the way they had previously played in the season, was impressive and showed that the Rebels are climbing to their potential and still may have some hope for a bowl berth.

Lesson learned: Catch the ball and play by the rules.

So, I think it’s safe to say that if the Rebels continue to improve as they gradually have over the last three games, their bowl game hopes may not be out of the question.

1. Ole Miss has to run the football with Brandon Bolden and Enrique Davis. If Ole Miss’ defense is going to let teams move up and down the field in the second half, both Bolden and Davis have be the workhorses to help the Rebels eat clock. They combined for 165 rushing yards and three touchdowns last weekend. Tulane gave up 64 yards rushing last week to Southeastern Louisiana.

2. Kentrell Lockett should be back this week. The defensive end and team captain experienced heart rhythm issues last weekend in a team scrimmage and missed the opener against Jacksonville State. Team doctors thought it was necessary for Lockett to travel to Cleveland, Ohio, to visit Cleveland Clinic Heart Center to see cardiac specialists. He underwent several tests, but they did not reveal any signs of anatomical abnormalities. Atrial fibrillation was deemed the cause of his heart rhythm issues. He should be able to go this week.

3. Tulane’s quarterback is not a true freshman. Last week, Coty Blanchard – a true freshman from Leesburg, Alabama – had the game of his life throwing the touchdown pass in the second overtime to come within one point, and executed the 2-point conversion that won the game as well. This week, Ryan Griffin, a red shirt sophomore, will get his chance at the Ole Miss defense. Last week Griffin was 17-26 for 129 yards and one interception against Southeastern Louisiana, where his team won 27-21.

4. Ole Miss needs to play one quarterback. Either Jeremiah Masoli or Nathan Stanley needs start at quarterback for the Rebels and play the entire game, and either is not a bad choice. A two-quarterback system rarely ever works for the better, but ironically, it seemed to work for Jacksonville State. Stanley started last weekend, but was taken out in the second half for Masoli. Stanley was 6-10 for 133 yards and had three touchdowns passing, while Masoli lead the two scoring drives in overtime.

5. Ole Miss’ defense needs to batten down the hatches. The Rebels’ defense returned six starters from a year ago. Jacksonville State scored on their final six possessions, including five touchdowns in the second half. Houston Nutt has to find a way to close a ball game certainly before they get into SEC play.

Ole Miss opens the 2010 season against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.  Ole Miss, which saw its record at 9-4 last year overall and 4-4 in the SEC, will try to replace its main offensive weapons this year in Oxford.  Here are five things you need to know about Ole Miss vs. Jacksonville State:

1.  Jeremiah Masoli has yet to be officially cleared to play in the opener. As we all know, Masoli transferred from defending Pac 10 champion Oregon this year upon being dismissed from the Duck’s team.  University of Mississippi sent a request for a waiver of a one-year residency requirement for a transfer student a few weeks ago to get Masoli eligible as quick as possible.  This waiver is usually granted if an athlete enrolls in a different graduate school program that was offered at the previous school.  It will be interesting to see if Masoli can get cleared to play in time for the opener and just how he will fair this year in a different colored uniform.  The worst that can happen will be if Masoli has to sit this year out and play next year.

2. The ever-evolving Wild Rebel will have its challenges this year. Houston Nutt pretty much coined the term “Wild Cat” as we know it while at Arkansas and it seems to be evolving every year to expand on its revolutionary offensive tendency to create mismatches.  The NFL even seems to be toying with its type.  The Wild Rebel features both a ground and an air attack on its’ resume.  With Dexter McCluster being gone, which Rebel will step up and make this system a weapon for Nutt once again?

3. With Jevan Snead foolishly opting out early for the draft and Dexter McCluster and Shay Hodge actually being drafted, the Rebels will have to replace their offensive attack.  Ole Miss currently has an opening at the running back position, and it has turned into a three-man race with Brandon Bolden, Enrique Davis, and Rodney Scott all vying for the open slot.  Jacksonville State’s rushing defense was ranked 66^th in Football Championship Subdivision last season.  The Rebels will find some peace in the run game, at least for this one.

4.  The opening at the quarterback position is figured to be a two-man rotation until one successfully separates them self from the rest.  Last year, Jevan Snead spearheaded the offensive attack with 20 interceptions.  The Rebels’ passing attack was ranked 57^th in the country at 218 yards per game, and Snead did not live up to the hype.  Snead had the attention much like Ryan Mallett is getting this year as far as passing quarterbacks.  The two quarter backs figured to be in the rotation this year are Nathan Stanley and Jeremiah Masoli, assuming Masoli will be cleared to play.

5.  The defensive unit is figured to be quick and disruptive.  In 2009, Ole Miss was ranked 21^st overall and 4^th in the conference in total defense.  It starts up front with defensive tackle Jerrell Powe and defensive end Kentrell Lockett.  A solid line-backing core will be the second level of defense behind the line.  The secondary has some holes, but are figured to be ready to go.  The defense should keep the Rebels in every game.