Prime-time Prewitt excited for Ole Miss season to begin
Ole Miss safety Cody Prewitt is about to start his senior season, and it is safe to say the Bay Springs, Miss. native will feature prominently in the Rebels’ quest to win a Southeastern Conference Western Division title.
While Prewitt is the same hard-hitting, interception-grabbing safety he was in 2013 when he wreaked havoc on SEC offenses, he takes the field with far more notoriety this season than in years past.
At last year’s Ole Miss Media Day, throngs of reporters surrounded Rebel stars Bo Wallace, Denzel Nkemdiche and Donte Moncrief. While the 6-2, 217 lb. Prewitt was not as high profile as some of his teammates last year, he is on everyone’s radar now—opposing quarterbacks, receivers, offensive coordinators and NFL scouts–with good reason.
It’s not like Prewitt had a weak sophomore season. On the contrary; he started every game at free safety and finished second on the team with 80 total tackles. Yet he still did not receive the same level of fanfare as many of his teammates.
How times change.
Stellar junior season puts Prewitt in the spotlight
After an incredible junior year, there is no doubt Prewitt belongs in prime time. He played in every game in 2013 with 11 starts at free safety. His six interceptions led the SEC and tied for seventh nationally. He was first in the SEC and tied for ninth in the nation with 0.45 interceptions per game. He finished the season second on the Ole Miss team with 71 tackles and first with 13 passes defended.
His outstanding defensive prowess forced fans, players, coaches–and the media–to take notice, which they did. His post-season awards last year were numerous:
- All-America first team as named by the Associated Press, USA Today, and Lindy’s;
- All-America second team (Athlon)
- Honorable Mention (SI.com);
- All-SEC first team, as named by the Associated Press, league coaches, Sporting News, ESPN.com and College Sports Madness.
According to Ole Miss Athletics, Prewitt was the 55th first team All-American in Ole Miss history and the first Rebel safety selected as first team All-American since Harry Harrison in 1973.
2014 Media Day Darling
Suffice it to say, Cody Prewitt was one of the most sought-after Rebels at this year’s Ole Miss Media Day. He was also one of three Ole Miss players to represent the Rebels at the SEC Media Days held in Hoover, Ala. As he enters his senior season, Prewitt does so with a long list of preseason awards:
- Preseason All-America first team (Phil Steele, Lindy’s, CFB Matrix)
- Preseason All-America second team (Athlon, Sporting News)
- Consensus preseason All-SEC first team
- Rated the nation’s No. 1 safety by Lindy’s
- Named to Bednarik Award watch list
- Named to watch list for CFPA Defensive Back Trophy
Humble in the spotlight
When my opportunity to speak with Cody at this year’s Media Day arrived, I asked him about the differences between this year and last with respect to the amount of attention he is receiving. In typical Prewitt fashion, he smiled and explained how honored and humbled he is to have the support of fans and the admiration of Rebel children who he sees run around in his No. 25 jersey.
It is a responsibility he obviously takes seriously and one for which he feels incredibly blessed.
Watch The Rebel Walk interview with Cody Prewitt to hear him explain exactly why he decided to come back for his senior season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft.
Cody’s deep love for Oxford and Ole Miss is readily apparent and is one reason Rebel fans will have the pleasure of watching No. 25 throw up the Landshark all season long.
Are you ready?
