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 24 days before kickoff, coming in at No. 24…
Royce Newman
Offensive lineman Royce Newman was a four-star prospect according to Scout and 247Sports when he signed with Ole Miss in the class of 2016. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Nashville, Illinois native was ranked as the 14th highest offensive tackle prospect in the nation while playing offensive tackle, defensive end, and tight end in high school.
With all the experience in front of him at the time, Newman redshirted his first season in Oxford. As a redshirt freshman in 2017, he appeared in nine games—including the Rebels’ Egg Bowl victory at No. 14 Mississippi State. During his sophomore season, Newman appeared in all twelve games as a reserve offensive lineman and on special teams.
Royce Newman (72) is slated to play left guard for the Rebels this season. (Photo: Dan Anderson, The Rebel Walk)
This spring, the junior lineman went through camp at left guard for the Rebels. Over the course of his career, he has bulked up to 305 pounds, giving him the size to be an every-down offensive lineman in the SEC.
Newman has the ability to play both tackle spots if necessary, but for now he will be used at left guard. If injuries were to occur across the offensive line, such as with Alex Givens’ current back injury, Newman’s versatility will be important to help this team put the best five linemen on the field at the same time.
For instance, if Eli Johnson had to miss a few snaps at center during a game, we could see Bryce Mathews move from left tackle over to center and Newman move outside to left tackle spot and Chandler Tuitt or Jalen Cunningham step in at left guard.
Whatever the case, we expect Newman to play a very big role on the offensive line this fall for the Rebels, whether that’s at left guard or another position along the line.
And for those worried that the left side of the offensive line doesn’t have a lot of game experience? Newman has an answer for that.
“We’ve had some snaps. We’ve practiced hard and against good competition. We played in almost every game, and we got game reps with the live atmosphere. We’re not going in empty-handed with no plays at all.”
Ole Miss OL Royce Newman
Watch out for No. 72 on the O-line this fall!
Hotty Toddy!
Most Impactful Rebels for 2019
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
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