Grove Bowl Preview: A look at the Ole Miss offense

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football will hold its annual Grove Bowl this upcoming Saturday, April 23, at noon at Vaught-Hemingway. With all the changes to the roster in the off-season, we are taking a look today at who you might expect to see on the Rebels’ offense in the spring game. 

Head Coach Lane Kiffin, set to enter his third season at Ole Miss this fall, has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the program. In his first two seasons, he has posted an overall record of 15-8 with consecutive bowl appearances, including a New Year’s Six bowl last season.

Under Kiffin Ole Miss is 10-7 in the SEC, and last season he led the Rebels to their first ten-win regular season in program history. 

In addition to his coaching abilities, Kiffin has also proven to be at expert-level when it comes to the transfer portal, currently sitting with the No. 1 transfer portal class in the country as ranked by 247Sports.

(Click here for Transfer Portal Team Rankings)

Coaching changes

There have been some changes to the offensive staff this offseason. Charlie Weis Jr. is the new quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator, following the departure of former OC Jeff Lebby to his alma mater Oklahoma. John David Baker will be the co-offensive coordinator with Weis, in addition to his duties as tight ends coach. 

Marquel Blackwell is now coaching the running backs after Kevin Smith left for Miami. Blackwell served in the same position for the Houston Cougars last season. 

On the field

Quarterbacks

This upcoming season, the Ole Miss offense will have a number of new faces, most notably at the quarterback position. Quarterbacks Luke Altmyer and Jaxson Dart have some big shoes to fill with the departure of Matt Corral to the NFL.

Altmyer is returning for his second season with Ole Miss after a freshman season where he played a limited number of snaps behind All-SEC Corral.

Altmyer gave up his redshirt to enter the Sugar Bowl versus Baylor after Corral was sidelined due an ankle injury. Dart comes to Ole Miss after entering the transfer portal, coming from USC.

Both signal-callers were highly touted coming out of high school and now look to compete for the starting job for the Rebels. Each has performed well during spring camp. On Saturday in the Grove Bowl, fans will have a chance to get a good look at the quarterback competition that, according to Coach Kiffin this week, will carry over to fall camp in August.

Running backs

With the top four carriers from last season no longer on the team, running back will be another position to keep an eye on.

Two transfer players have joined the team in Zach Evans (TCU) and Ulysses Bentley IV (SMU), while Kentrel Bullock, Isaiah Woullard Matt Jones, Fred McAffe, Bobo Miller and Urriah Shephard are listed as returnees.

Quinshon Judkins is an early-enrollee freshman who is expected to contribute during the 2022 campaign.

Wide Receivers

With Braylon Sanders and Dontario Drummond entering the upcoming NFL Draft, two of the top pass-catchers from a year ago are now gone.

Returning seniors Jonathan Mingo and Dannis Jackson will be relied upon, along with Jadon Jackson, Jalen Knox, Qua Davis, and Louisville transfer Jordan Watkins to fill the void of last season’s receiving production.

Ole Miss also has talent in the form of Brandon Buckhaulter, J.J. Henry, and Bralon Brown.

Mingo, Watkins and Knox have all three missed time this spring due to injuries, so fans may get a chance to see some of these younger players in the spring game.

Tight End

At tight end, Casey Kelly is returning for his fourth season, after having earned a scholarship for the upcoming season.

Transfer Michael Trigg (USC), who has received tons of praise from coaches and teammates, alike, will look to contribute to the pass game, and he and Kelly will likely be doing their fair share of blocking to help in the run game.

Hudson Wolfe, a four-star member of the 2020-2021 class missed last season due to injury.

Offensive line

Last but certainly not least, the offensive line returns some experienced, talented players who have taken on new roles at different position. They’ve also added Western Kentucky transfer Mason Brooks. 

As of now, Jeremy James shifts from right tackle to left tackle, while Nick Broeker will move over from left tackle to left guard. Caleb Warren is moving from left guard to center. Mason Brooks has been playing right tackle, while Eli Acker is expected to be the starting right guard.

The Rebels also have some very capable backups on the offensive line with returnees Jordan Rhodes, Hamilton Hall, Reece McIntyre, Jalen Cunningham, and Tobias Braun.

Weekend Fun

This weekend will be a fun one in Oxford with Double Decker, the baseball series vs. Mississippi State and, of course, the Grove Bowl all taking place. 

Be sure to get out and support Oxford and Ole Miss this weekend.

GROVE BOWL WEEKEND EVENTS

Thursday, April 21 – Baseball vs. Mississippi State, 6 p.m.

Friday, April 22 – Double Decker Arts Festival

Friday, April 22 – Baseball vs. Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 23 – Double Decker Arts Festival

Saturday, April 23 – Grove Bowl, Noon

Saturday, April 23 – Baseball vs. Mississippi State, 3:30 p.m.

Hotty Toddy! 

(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)