Ole Miss football: Grading the depth chart ahead of the season-opener

The Ole Miss Rebels put together one of most exciting seasons that Oxford has seen in recent history, winning a program-record 10 regular-season games and making a Sugar Bowl appearance.

Several talented players departed to the NFL and are expected to have successful careers at the next level, which is part of the reason the Rebels look a good bit different at what seems like just about every position heading into 2022.

There are many new faces on offense and defense with head coach Lane Kiffin’s immense success in the transfer portal, including some potential breakout candidates.

Here’s a look into how each position group grades out going into 2022:

QB: Inc.

The Rebels face a tough task in replacing Matt Corral. The ongoing competition to replace Corral is close between Luke Altmyer and transfer Jaxson Dart.

Both still need to develop as passers, showing some issues with turnovers and decision-making earlier this offseason. Kiffin said after a recent scrimmage that Altmyer and Dart had taken too many sacks, so they’ll need to get a better feel for pressure as well.

Altmyer has a bit more of an edge in the sense that he’s already spent a year at Ole Miss (though neither QB is incredibly experienced), but Dart could ultimately have the higher ceiling. Questions still surround both, though, with such a small sample size and some of the inconsistency they have shown at times.

RB: B+

The Rebels also lost their top running backs in Jerrion Ealy and Snoop Conner. While this is certainly a blow to the team, Ole Miss still has some solid rushers to work with after making use of the transfer portal to acquire Ulysses Bentley IV out of SMU and TCU’s Zach Evans.

Over 3 seasons with the Mustangs, Bentley carried 273 times for 1,559 yards with 15 touchdowns. In the past 2 years, Evans ran 146 times for 1,063 yards and 9 TDs. While how well this tandem takes care of business remains to be seen, they’ve already started garnering preseason hype as one of the best running back duos in the nation ahead of the season.

OL: B

The Rebels return the majority of last year’s offensive line, though there have been some pieces moved around. Nick Broeker, who will play guard after seeing time at left tackle, is an NFL prospect and serves as the primary headliner of this group.

The primary area of concern last year was in pass-blocking, something that should be aided by the acquisition of Western Kentucky transfer Mason Brooks, who was 247Sports’ top-rated transfer portal offensive lineman. He comes from an Air Raid team, which obviously places a lot of emphasis on throwing the ball, so pass protection should see notable improvement with him in the fold. Brooks, who is expected to start at right tackle, was a part of an o-line that protected quarterback Bailey Zappe as he completed 69.2% of his passes for 5,967 yards with 62 touchdowns, breaking FBS records. Junior Jeremy James is expected to handle the other side of the line.

WR/TE: B

Wide receiver is yet another area where the Rebels lost a lot of talent, most notably Braylon Sanders and Dontario Drummond. With this, expect all eyes to be on senior wideout Jonathan Mingo. Returning wideout Dennis Jackson is a player to watch as well after he reeled in 12 catches for 244 yards with two touchdowns in 2021 — that’s good for a 20.3-yard average.

Kiffin also used the portal to acquire Michael Trigg from USC, Mississippi State’s Malik Heath, Louisville’s Jordan Watkins and UCF’s Jaylon Robinson. Adjustments will take time, but this combined group has a upside and can help the passing game at all levels of the field.

DL: B

Defensive lineman KD Hill, a 5th-year senior, is a group leader who recorded 24 total tackles (6 solo) last year.  Georgia Tech transfer Jared Ivey is expected to see action immediately after he came up with 20 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1.5 sacks. JJ Pegues is another transfer addition, coming from Auburn.

Depth was a concern this offseason, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Cedric Johnson is a very real breakout candidate and could lead the team in tackles after he posted 32 combined tackles (18 solo), with 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery and 6.5 sacks in 2021.

LB: B

Things look a bit different in the linebacker room with Chance Campbell in the NFL. The transfers are worth watching between Troy Brown (Central Michigan), Khari Coleman (TCU), Reginald Hughes (Northeast Community College) and Danny Lockhart II (USC). Brown was an All-MAC selection 3 times. He has the best chance of developing into someone of Campbell’s caliber.

Within the team’s 3-2-6 defense, senior Ashanti Cistrunk brings the highest level of experience at the position. Freshman Jaron Willis is just getting started but is expected to play and could become an impact player. Overall, this group is a mix of potential and questions to be answered.

DB: B

The group is deep with 12 returners, though it’s not spread evenly. Cornerback depth remains a concern. AJ Finley, Miles Battle and Otis Reese are the primary players to watch as well as Iowa State transfer Isheem Young.

Ole Miss finished No. 2 in the conference in pass efficiency defense in 2021, with Finley among the primary reasons after he totaled 90 tackles (36 solo) with 3 of Ole Miss’ 11 interceptions.

Crissy Froyd

Crissy covers SEC football news for Saturday Down South.