Gates, Haynes garner SEC weekly honors

DeMarquis Gates makes a tackle during the win over A&M this season. (Photo credit; Bentley Breland, The Rebel Walk)

On Monday, the Southeastern Conference honored two Ole Miss defensive players for their performance in the Rebels’ 38-17 win over LSU. Sophomore linebacker DeMarquis Gates was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and sophomore defensive end Marquis Haynes was selected as SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. 

In only his second career start, Gates notched a team-high 14 tackles, broke up one pass and tallied a QB hurry. The Hampton, Georgia native helped lead an Ole Miss defense that collected seven TFLs, 10 pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Though he has only started twice, Gates has played in all 11 games for the Rebels this season and leads the team in tackles with 62. 

Marquis Haynes tackles Leonard Fournette in the 38-17 win over LSU Saturday. (Photo credit: Joshua McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics)

Haynes finished the win over LSU with four tackles, 1.0 TFL, a fumble recovery and a QB pressure. The sophomore from Jacksonville, Florida currently leads the team with 13.0 TFLs and is tied for third in the SEC with 1.36 TFLs in conference play.

Haynes also leads the Rebels with 8.5 sacks, which is the seventh-most in a single season in Ole Miss history. This is the third time this season Haynes has been honored as the league’s defensive lineman of the week, and the fifth time, overall, he’s been recognized by the SEC. Haynes 

Congratulations to Marquis and DeMarquis for these well-deserved honors!

Feature image credit: Amanda Swain, The Rebel Walk