Spring Football Offensive Overview

Looking Forward to 2015 FB

The Ole Miss Rebel Spring practices began Tuesday, March 2, and some new faces look to fill in spaces left by old faces.

 

Quarterbacks

A three-way battle between junior college newcomer Chad Kelly and redshirt sophomores Devante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan will play itself out. The early favorite is Chad Kelly winning the job. Although his off-the-field troubles seem to be an issue, he has a good arm, great bloodlines(his uncle being the hall of fame Jim Kelly), and he brings confidence to the position. As far as Kincade and Buchanan, Kincade seems to have the advantage over those two. Kincade is a better fit to Coach Freeze's playbook(mobile), and Kincade has the strongest arm on the team. This is going to be fun to watch play out.

 

 

Running Backs

 Senior Jaylen Walton returns comfortably in his starting role at the running back position. He and I'Tavius Mathers would split carries last year, but it usually ended up to where Walton ended up with more carries. With Mathers having transferred, the Rebels are looking for a downhill running back who can assume the backup position for Walton. Those two candidates are sophomore Jordan Wilkins and junior Akeem Judd. Jordan Wilkins rushed for an immpressive 419 yards last season, and he averaged 8.1 yards per carry as a freshman. Akeem Judd did not see any time last year as he redshirted. Wilkins 6-1, 209 lbs, Judd 6-0 220 lbs. These running backs will have to step up because Mark Dodson, another running back, also transferred out of Oxford.

 

Wide Receivers

The Rebels will be without star Laquon Treadwell for most of the spring, but there is still plenty of talent at the table. Quincy Adeboyejo and Markell Pack will need to step up and assume bigger roles this spring. Sophomore Damore'ea Stringfellow, who sat out the 2014 season due to transfer rules, has a Laquon Treadwell like build, and the Rebels look to having those two on the field at the same time.

 

 

Tight Ends

Star Evan Engram will have no competition for the starting job this spring. But, having Nick Parker and Jeremy Liggins depart from the position, the Rebels need someone to step up and fill the backup role. Redshirt freshman Sammie Epps could be the answer to that conflict. Epps is built more like a tight end than Engram, listed at 6-5, 215 lbs.

 

Offensive Line

Everyone is back off of last year's unit, though superstar Laremy Tunsil and key player Aaron Morris will spend the spring recovering from injuries. At center, Ben Still will most likely get the look. The guard spots will feature Rod Taylor, Justin Bell, early-enrollee and 5-star Javon Patterson, and others. At tackle, the rotation should be starting with returning Fahn Cooper, Robert Conyers, Christian Morris, and Sean Rawlings.

 

This spring is full of new and old faces, so get your popcorn ready for a battled-out spring!