For the first time in the Lane Kiffin era, spring football opened up in Oxford this week with the Rebels hitting the practice field on Tuesday.

Hopes are high in Oxford following the team’s 5-5 season, the team won four of the final five games in Kiffin’s debut with Ole Miss, which included a win against in-state rival Mississippi State and ended with a win over Indiana in the Outback Bowl.

Now with the opportunity to hold spring camp for the first time under Kiffin, there is hope that the 2021 season will feature a carryover from the momentum gained at the end of the 2020 campaign.

Any gains this season on the gridiron will come without the presence of five players, however, as Kiffin announced five Rebels won’t be suiting up for camp according to Nick Suss of The Clarion-Ledger.

Starting running back Jerrion Ealy and backup quarterback/slot receiver John Rhys Plumlee both play for the Ole Miss baseball team while injuries will sideline tight end Casey Kelly, safety Daylen Gill and defensive back Demarko Williams.

Considering all the issues Ole Miss experienced last fall due to COVID issues — the team was often down entire position groups during camp, being down five players should be nothing to worry about for Kiffin and his staff.

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