Most Impactful Rebels for 2019: No. 21 Montrell Custis

OXFORD, Miss. — As we count down the days until the Ole Miss season opener against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl, we are releasing who we think the Top 50 Most Impactful Players will be for the Rebels this season. This series is a way for Ole Miss fans to learn more about players to keep an eye on this fall.

With 21 days before kickoff, coming in at No. 21…

Montrell Custis

Montrell Custis was a four-star prospect, according to Scout, out of Jonesboro, Georgia when he signed with Ole Miss in the class of 2015. He was ranked as the No. 28 safety in the nation after finishing with 67 tackles and four interceptions as a junior at Lovejoy High School. 

Montrell Custis (2) and Javien Hamilton break up a pass against Texas Tech in 2018. (Photo: Thomas Shea, USA Today Sports)

As a redshirt freshman in 2016, Custis played in nine games, making nine tackles and two pass breakups as a backup defensive back and appearing on special teams. In 2017 as a sophomore, he continued his role as a backup while appearing in ten games and making eleven tackles. 

Last season as a junior, we saw Custis make a big leap as he started at defensive back in the first three games before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Alabama. However, in his first three games, the 6-foot, 181-pound Custis notched thirteen tackles and four pass-breakups. Against Texas Tech in the season opener, he tallied a career-high seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and four pass-breakups. 

Custis missed spring practices while recovering from his ACL tear, and as of Friday, August 9, he is not yet participating in full-contact practice, but the senior defensive back hopes to be back to 100% by the Memphis opener. “I’m feeling real good now, but I still have some work to do in my rehab,” he said. 

Montrell Custis

When Custis does return, he will do so in new defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre’s 3-4 system. Earlier this week, Custis was asked about his role. 

”Coach (Mike) MacIntyre’s schemes are great. They have me playing some deep safety and some nickel, which I think fits my skill set,” Custis explained. 

Montrell Custis

Custis believes there is plenty of competition for the two safety spots, and he is impressed with what he has seen so far. 

“I’m really impressed with Jalen Julius coming to safety from corner and picking things up so quickly, but Jon Haynes, Kam White, C.J. Miller – everyone is doing well. Jalen has gotten more technical lately, watching a lot of film, and that has helped him transition. I respect him. I respect them all for the effort they are putting in.”

When Custis gets back to his previous physical form prior to his ACL injury, he will definitely be a strong force in the defensive back rotation this fall.

Watch for No. 2 when he makes his return to the Landshark defense this fall!

Hotty Toddy!

Most Impactful Rebels for 2019

21. Montrell Custis
22. Demarcus Gregory
23. Bryce Mathews
24. Royce Newman
25. Tylan Knight
26. Tariqious Tisdale
27. Octavious Cooley
28. Jalen Julius
29. Luke Logan
30. Nick Broeker
31. Austrian Robinson
32. Quentin Bivens
33. Willie Hibbler
34. Isaiah Woullard
35. Jadon Jackson
36. Grant Tisdale, Kinkead Dent, John Rhys Plumlee
37. Keidron Smith
38. Snoop Conner
39. Michael Howard
40. Vernon Dasher
41. Ryder Anderson
42. D’Vaughn Pennamon
43. C.J. Miller
44. Charles Wiley
45. Sincere David
46. Mac Brown
47. Jason Pellerin
48. Chandler Tuitt
49. Dannis Jackson
50. Jonathan Mingo

Derrell Hart

Derrell has covered Ole Miss athletics in the past for Rebels247 at 247Sports. He attended Delta State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Biology. He is currently pursuing his Pharm.D. at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy with an expected graduation of May, 2020.