News and Notes from Monday’s Ole Miss Practice
OXFORD, Miss. Ole Miss kicks off against Memphis in 12 days, and it appears the Rebels are closing in on their starting units. At Monday’s practice, true freshman offensive lineman Nick Broeker and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo subbed in with the first team for a few snaps and appear to be poised for significant snaps early in this season.
With such a young team, this freshman class will be relied on heavily. Quarterback Grant Tisdale, running back Snoop Conner, and offensive linemen Carter Colquitt and Jeremy James were all on the second team. Mingo and Broeker were in this group as well.
While depth charts can still be a little fluid at this point, here is what we observed on the offensive side of the ball Monday:
Monday’s Starting Offensive Unit:
LT- Michael Howard, Redshirt Senior
LG- Royce Newman, Redshirt Junior
C- Eli Johnson, Redshirt Junior
RG- Ben Brown, Redshirt Sophomore
RT- Bryce Matthews, Redshirt Junior
WR- Elijah Moore, Sophomore
WR- Miles Battle, Redshirt Freshman
So. WR- Braylon Sanders, Junior
TE- Octavious Cooley, Senior
RB- Scottie Phillips, Senior
QB- Matt Corral, Redshirt freshman
Starting unit when Mingo and Broeker are in:
LT- Nick Broeker, Freshman
LG- Royce Newman, Redshirt Junior
C- Ben Brown, Redshirt Sophomore
RG- Bryce Mathews, Redshirt Junior
RT- Michael Howard, Redshirt Senior
WR- Elijah Moore, Sophomore
WR- Jonathan Mingo, Freshman
WR- Braylon Sanders, Junior
TE- Octavious Cooley, Senior
RB- Scottie Phillips, Senior
QB- Matt Corral, Redshirt freshman
Defense
The starting defensive has fluctuated each day, but there is a core group at each position. On the defensive front, Austrian Robinson, Josiah Coatney, Benito Jones, Ryder Anderson, and Tariqious Tisdale are absorbing the majority of the snaps. Sincere David, Quentin Bivens, Patrick Lucas, and LeDarrius Cox are looking very strong and could see 10+ snaps per game apiece to help keep everyone fresh.
Lakia Henry and MoMo Sanogo appear to be the solidified starters at inside linebacker with Jacquez Jones and Willie Hibbler as their primary backups. Jones can play both of the inside linebacker spots and has been getting reps in both spots. Charles Wiley and Sam Williams ran with the first team at outside linebacker Monday. Qaadir Sheppard will likely be inserted in Charles Wiley’s position when Sheppard returns from his hand injury. Vernon Dasher has moved to outside linebacker this week from safety.
Jaylon Jones and Myles Hartsfield should be the starters at the beginning of the season, with Keidron Smith in the primary backup role. Jon Haynes will be a starter while Jalen Julius and Montrell Custis will compete for the other safety spot. Julius and Custis were both in non-contact jerseys at Monday’s practice. Armani Linton will add to the depth.
Players wearing the non-contact green jerseys Monday:
QB- Kinkead Dent
OL- Alex Givens
OL- Darrius Thomas
OLB- Qaadir Sheppard
S- Jalen Julius
S- Montrell Custis
Returning to practice Monday from injury:
WR- Jordan Jernigan
S- Jon Haynes
OLB- Sam Williams
