The 2015 recruiting class was a big one for the Ole Miss Rebels. They landed players such as Chad Kelly, Tony Bridges, Terry Caldwell and DJ Jones, who each made an huge impact in their first seasons with the team. Those players, though, were all junior-college transfers.

As far as true freshmen go, two players made a significant impact in 2015.

Player Position Games
Javon Patterson G 12
Zedrick Woods S 13

OFFENSIVE IMPACT

When injuries and suspensions hit the Ole Miss offensive line in the first half of the season, Patterson made a handful of starts. He really struggled against the Florida Gators, but to be fair, that was an awful game for everyone on the Rebels’ sideline.

Ole Miss’ highest-rated recruit from the 2015 class, WR Damarkus Lodge, played in six games and caught one pass for a 12-yard TD.

DEFENSIVE IMPACT

Woods was the only freshmen who truly stood out on defense. He recorded 16 solo tackles and 25 total tackles, including 1 for a loss, in 13 games. He also picked off 1 pass.

Cornerback Cameron Ordway and DT Ross Donelly each appeared in seven games. They both made six total tackles. Ordway also had 0.5 tackle for loss and 1 pass defense.

REDSHIRTS

As one could guess, Ole Miss redshirted most of its top freshmen recruits.

Wide receiver Van Jefferson, who was the third-best ranked commit for Ole Miss in the 2015 class, didn’t play. Coach Hugh Freeze said back in August that Jefferson is going to be “really, really good”. Fans will expect a lot of Lodge and him as the Rebels search for Laquon Treadwell’s replacement.

Freeze also complimented freshman RB Eric Swinney last preseason, but a stress fracture over the summer slowed his progress, and he redshirted.

Safety Armani Linton joined Jefferson and Swinney as the three four-star recruits from the 2015 class that did not play as freshmen.

OVERVIEW

The jury is still out on the 2015 freshmen class at Ole Miss because most of the top recruits played minimally or not at all. Credit Freeze for landing some top-notch junior-college transfers, which allowed most of the incoming freshmen another year to develop.

Patterson had his struggles during his starts, but he is still likely to be a starter next year. Woods will also move up the depth chart as three starting defensive backs are leaving.

Hopefully, Swinney stays healthy and is a nice addition in the backfield along with Lodge and Jefferson at wide receiver. Ole Miss also will have freshman WR DeKaylin Metcalf coming in with the 2016 class. Wide receiver is a position to watch over the summer at Ole Miss.