Most Impactful Rebels for 2019: No. 9 Ben Brown
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 9 days before kickoff, coming in at No. 9…
Ben Brown
Ben Brown was a consensus three-star offensive tackle according to ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports out of St. Aloysius High School when he signed with Ole Miss in the Class of 2017. The Vicksburg, Mississippi native was ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the state of Mississippi according to 247Sports. As a senior, he started in all twelve games at left tackle and defensive tackle. On defense, he finished with 37 tackles and a sack on the season.
In 2018, as a redshirt freshman at Ole Miss, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Brown was named to the SEC All-Freshman team after starting all twelve games at right guard. He led the Rebels with 10 knockdown blocks. He also graded out as the best offensive lineman on the team against Southern Illinois and ULM last season, which is very impressive given the talent and experience that was on the offensive line with him.
Ben Brown (Photo credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics)
The Rebel Walk spoke with the starting right guard at Media Day earlier this month about his SEC All-Freshman team performance last season. “It felt great,” said Brown. “It was an honor to be selected to be a part of that, but now it’s time to go to work.”
With Alex Givens sidelined during fall camp so far, Brown easily has the most snaps among the rest of the starting offensive linemen. How will his experience from last season help this team moving forward this fall? “It helps bring confidence,” he said. “I’ve been in some tough SEC games, but it helps me let the other guys understand how it is.”
During fall camp, Brown has also been taking some snaps at center—just in case something were to happen to starter Eli Johnson. Brown talked earlier this week in practice about how that transition is going. “It’s been good,” he said.
“The coaches throw guys all over the place to have guys ready just in case of an emergency. We need to develop some depth, and one way is for players to be able to play more than one position if the need arises.”
Right guard Ben Brown
Brown told the media last week he is more prepared to play this year than he was in his freshman campaign. “I’m more confident now,” he said. “My game experience is important because I can recognize DL tendencies and things like that better,” Brown added.
Brown feels though they are young, the offensive line will be ready when the Rebels take the field against Memphis. “We are working hard and have made a lot of progress as an offensive line, in my mind,” he noted.
“We are young from an experience standpoint, but I think we will be ready because some of our guys are older and have been around and know what to do. I believe the transition to the game field will be smooth.”
Ben Brown on the readiness of the Ole Miss OL
In addition to his prowess on the field, Brown is an excellent student. He was named to the 2018 Dean’s Fall Honor Roll, the 2018 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, and the 2019 Chancellor’s Spring Honor Roll.
Brown is an anchor at right guard for the Rebels. He’s done very well in the run game, and Ole Miss will rely heavily on him to open up running lanes for the very talented stable of running backs this season.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Brown made the All-SEC team after another strong performance this season at right guard.
Hotty Toddy!
Ben Brown talks after practice on August 19. (Video: Hays Dubberly, The Rebel Walk)
Most Impactful Rebels for 2019
9. Ben Brown
10. Lakia Henry
11. Sam Williams
12. Qaadir Sheppard
13. Jacquez Jones
14. Miles Battle
15. Jerrion Ealy
16. Braylon Sanders
17. Eli Johnson
18. Myles Hartsfield
19. Dontario Drummond
20. Jon Haynes
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.
