Spring football primer: Ole Miss
Spring game: None — new grass being placed on stadium field.
The first big-name players from Hugh Freeze’s program-changing 2013 recruiting class are gone. Robert Nkemdiche, Laquon Treadwell and Laremy Tunsil — three of the top 14 players in that class — are headed for the NFL draft. That class, which put Ole Miss back on the national radar is gone, culminating in Freeze’s first 10-win season there and a Sugar Bowl victory, but their legacy has just begun.
Ole Miss football is bigger and better than ever. Freeze just pulled in the Rebels’ best-ever recruiting class. It ranked No. 6, according to 247Sports.com’s composite, and as high as fourth nationally by ESPN.com.
“I don’t know if our staff has ever done a better job of developing relationships that can withstand the onslaught of difficult things that are thrown at you through the course of recruiting,” Freeze told olemisssports.com. “That’s been the case during this cycle quite a bit, and it’s a testament to everything we are doing here and what we stand for and the relationships we’ve built over the last 18 to 24 months that allowed us to bring home arguably a top-five class.”
The Rebels have beaten Alabama in back-to-back seasons. Now they’re looking to take the SEC title from the Tide. With four consecutive highly-regarded recruiting classes Freeze said he now believes the Rebels have the depth to win an SEC title.
THREE BIG QUESTIONS
1. What will become of the recent allegations?
As many as 13 violations were reportedly committed by the football program, nine of those occurring under Freeze’s regime, according to an AP report. Violations range from Level 1 (most serious) to Levels II and III.
Tunsil reportedly took improper benefits, including the use of three loaner cars over a six-month period, and was suspended seven games last season. But the AP also reported impermissible contact between an assistant coach and a recruit. Plus the violations Ole Mills already self-reported involving six instances of recruits who were provided transportation by “representatives of athletic interests.”
Freeze’s recent recruiting haul would indicate that nothing major is forthcoming.
“Regardless of how it is framed, many of the football violations involve Tunsil or the previous football staff. Almost all the violations under Hugh Freeze’s tenure involve Tunsil or are low level violations. Freeze is not personally named in any violation,” a source in the athletic department told SB Nation.
2. How effective will Chad Kelly be with new OL?
Ole Miss’ first Sugar Bowl MVP since Archie Manning, Kelly was afforded outstanding protection from a veteran offensive line that must be revamped. The only Ole Miss quarterback to beat Auburn, Alabama and LSU in the same season, Kelly must now operate behind a relatively inexperienced group of protectors.
Kelly led the SEC with 31 touchdown passes and became just the third SEC quarterback in history to top 4,000 passing yards. Matching those numbers with four departed starters from the line will be a challenge.
A somewhat mobile quarterback, Kelly was second on the Rebels team in rushing last season with 500 yards and a team-high 10 rushing touchdowns on 107 attempts. Those skills could be tested a little more in the upcoming season, at least until the newcomers settle into their roles.
3. Who steps up at linebacker?
Outside linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche and middle linebacker C.J. Johnson are gone. They were two of the Rebels’ top six tacklers, combining for 96 last season. Who replaces that production?
Sophomore DeMarquis Gates is a good place to start. The talented youngster led the Rebels with 76 tackles. He will be looked upon to take an even bigger role in 2016.
After that, however, it appears wide open. Junior Terry Caldwell played in all 13 games last season and filled in admirably in mid-season when Johnson went down with a knee injury. Caldwell recorded 32 tackles and looked capable of producing more.
He appears to be the heir apparent. True freshman Shawn Curtis, a 6-3, 247-pound 3-star recruit out of Miami, and junior Temario Strong, who played in 12 games last season, will vie for playing time.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
- OT Gregory Little: The five-star recruit (6-5, 305) was a man among boys in high school. Already garnering comparisons to Tunsil with his quickness and footwork, Little could step in immediately and start, possibly at left tackle as a true freshman.
- QB Shea Patterson: The five-star pro style signal-caller is rated the top player in the nation at his position by 247sports.com. He’ll watch for one season while Kelly finishes his career and then likely take the reins.
- DT Benito Jones: Another five-star standout in the 2016 recruiting class, Jones (6-2, 285) could step in as a true freshman and contribute at nose tackle, perhaps even make a push to start.
OFFENSIVE STARTERS TO REPLACE
- WR Laquon Treadwell
- WR Cody Core
- LT Laremy Tunsil
- RT Fahn Cooper
- C Ben Still
- LG Aaron Morris
- RB Jaylen Walton
Replacing four linemen will be a tall task, especially Tunsil at left tackle. But Little is the player Rebels coaching staff is expecting to fill those shoes. How quickly he can adjust will determine how effective he will be protecting Kelly’s blind side.
But filling the other three spots won’t be as easy. Redshirt freshman Sean Rawlings appears to be ready to take on the challenge at right tackle. He played in 10 games last season and started at left tackle when Tunsil sat out.
Junior Robert Conyers will return at center if he is healthy again following ACL surgery. Freshman Javon Patterson and redshirt freshman Jordan Sims could fill the holes at guard. Patterson played in 12 games last season and Sims saw action in every game, starting four.
DEFENSIVE STARTERS TO REPLACE
- DT Robert Nkemdiche
- NT Woodrow Hamilton
- MLB C.J. Johnson
- LB Denzel Nkemdiche
- DB Trae Elston
- DB Mike Hilton
There’s a lot to replace on defense, but the Rebels have capable players to fill the holes. Junior D.J. Jones and redshirt freshman Breeland Speaks look to do just that on the defensive line. Speaks filled in admirably when Robert Nkemdiche was out with an injury.
In addition, Issac Gross, who missed last season with a neck injury, could return to help the interior line.
The Rebels look to lean on corners Tony Bridges and Kendarius Webster to fill the void in the secondary. A healthy Tony Conner would be beneficial as well.
TOP RETURNERS BY CATEGORY
Top returning passer: Chad Kelly (4,042 yards in 2015)
Top returning rusher: Akeem Judd* (425 yards)
Top returning receiver: Quincy Adeboyejo (604 yards, 7 TDs)
Top returning tackler: DeMarquis Gates (76)
Top returning pass rusher: Marquis Haynes (10 sacks)
Top returning pass defender: Tony Bridges (3 INTs)
* Judd is the leading returning running back. Kelly ran for 500 yards as a quarterback.
POSITION OF CONCERN: QUARTERBACK
This sounds silly given the fact that the Rebels return the top quarterback in the SEC. But beyond Kelly, Ole Miss has no player on the roster who has thrown a pass in college.
In other words, the Rebels are one hit from potential disaster — or an earlier-than-expected debut from Patterson.
Sophomore backups Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade both left the program.
Redshirt freshman Jason Pellerin (6-4, 229) and Patterson, the nation’s top-rated pro style quarterback, are all the Rebels have in reserve. Granted both have talent, but neither has any college experience.