Ole Miss Rebels to Watch in the 2022 NFL Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft begins this evening, and there are a number of Ole Miss Rebels who could hear their names called over the course of the three-day draft.
How to Watch the NFL Draft
The draft gets underway Thursday at 7:00 p.m. (CT) in Las Vegas and can be viewed on ESPN, NFL Network, and ABC. It can also be streamed on the ESPN App. Round Two will take place on Friday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m. (CT) and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.
There were eight Rebs invited to the 2022 NFL Combine and some others who could also be signed to undrafted free agency deals after the draft.
Here are the Rebels to watch:
QB Matt Corral
The Ole Miss quarterback is projected to go anywhere from from the first round to the second. Draft experts seem to be evenly split on when a team pulls the trigger on Corral.
What’s not in question is that Corral led Ole Miss to the first 10-win regular-season in school history, an appearance in the Sugar Bowl against Big 12 champ Baylor and a No. 11 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.
2020 Egg Bowl, Matt Corral playing Long Ball… pic.twitter.com/DrHsMUPktB
— David Walker (@DavidWalkerQB) April 27, 2022
During 2020, Corral notched a 3,200-yard, 29-touchdown, 14-interception season. He followed that up in 2021 with a 3,300-yard, 20-TD, and five-INT season with a seventh-place showing in Heisman Trophy voting.
How the #OleMissProDay went for QB Matt Corral pic.twitter.com/DXJbiChvuL
— David Walker (@DavidWalkerQB) March 24, 2022
DE Sam Williams
Sam Williams is one of the most talented edge defenders in this year’s draft. His numbers speak volumes as to what he can bring to a team.
He had a phenomenal season as one of the best EDGEs in college football last season. He’s a three-down player who can rush the passer or stuff the run equally well.
Ole Miss defensive end Sam Williams should get more love as a pass rush prospect in this 2022 #NFLDraft class!
6’4”, 264 pounds of athletic ability and strength who can pummel an offensive line at will…#NFLDraft | #CFB | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/FYPtVZyAQu
— PFN Draft (@PFNDraft) October 23, 2021
In 2021, Williams notched 57 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and forced four fumbles for Ole Miss.
He also impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine where the 6-foot-3, 261-pound prospect ran the 40-yard dash in a fast 4.46 seconds. The rest of his combine was good if not exceptional, but the Rebels product showed on the tape that he played with strength, so the speed was just one more tick on the scouting report.
WR Dontario Drummond
Dontario Drummond showed his skills this past season when he stepped up after injuries to Jonathan Mingo and Braylon Sanders. He’s 6-foot-1, 215-pounds and his versatility is a plus. He can play slot, outside, or H-back.
During his senior year at Ole Miss, Drummond connected with Corral for 76 catches and nearly 1,100 yards and tallied 8 touchdowns.
Highest receiving grades among SEC WRs:
✈️ Dontario Drummond, Ole Miss: 87.6
✈️ Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky: 82.8pic.twitter.com/8T0B1sqEB1— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) October 8, 2021
OL Ben Brown
Ben Brown was a key part of the Rebels’ offensive line who, throughout his four years as a starter, played at both center and guard and excelled at each.
Ole Miss RG – Ben Brown with a couple of good pass pro reps vs Bama on back to back plays
Both plays he shows the ability to process the pass rush, scan, and look for work
— Kendall Mirsky (@MirskyKendall) March 31, 2022
He is experienced and does well in both run blocking and pass pro. He started 40 consecutive games for the Rebels before suffering a torn bicep tendon. The consistent Brown played all 816 snaps during Ole Miss’ 2020 season.
LB Chance Campbell
The 6’2” Campbell helped turn around an Ole Miss defense in one season. The Maryland transfer arrived in Oxford and during his senior season led the team with 109 tackles.
Another hidden gem is Chance Campbell. 6’2 and 3/8” tall and 238 lbs, but still ran a 4.57 (top 10 among LBs this draft). He’s excellent on the blitz, shooting gaps, and in a spy role. Always in position, easily the team’s best tackler and play finisher. pic.twitter.com/Rys0e1Qm6I
— Fifth Quarter Ole Miss (@FQOleMiss) April 28, 2022
He also notched 12.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles. His motor never stops running and his intensity is present on every play.
WR Braylon Sanders
Braylon is a quick, vertical receiver who displays good route discipline and easily makes the reception on crossing patterns. He has strong hands and extends to snatch the ball out of the air. He tracks deep throws, makes the difficult over-the-shoulder reception, and lays out to come away with the tough grab.
#OleMiss WR Braylon Sanders … you bet. #OleMiss v #Alabama pic.twitter.com/XgnSTuHCZm
— Gerry Hamilton (@GHamilton_On3) October 2, 2021
In 2021, despite suffering injuries, Sanders played in 11 games and notched 549 yards on 24 receptions for an average of 22.9 yards per catch.
RB Jerrion Ealy
Jerrion Ealy is a phenomenal athlete. He was a dual-sport star out of high school — as evidenced by his five-star ranking at RB and top-200 MLB draft prospect out of high school.
At Ole Miss, the junior Jackson, Miss. native ran for 2,235 rushing yards, 545 receiving yards, 864 kick return yards and a total of 26 combined touchdowns.
Flashback: Ole Miss RB Jerrion Ealy goes the distance against LSU. #ComeToTheSip pic.twitter.com/1JZnGZSA14
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) March 5, 2022
At the NFL Combine Ealy ran a 4.53 40 and recorded a 34.50.” At the Ole Miss Pro Day, Ealy dropped his 40 time to 4.43.
RB Snoop Conner
While at Ole Miss, Snoop Conner was a beast in short-yardage territory. He put up 647 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns for the Rebels this season, second on the team in yardage only to Rebel running back Jerrion Ealy.
THAT’S HOW YOU FEEL, SNOOP CONNER?! 🙃 pic.twitter.com/VKhO9zAzAq
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) September 7, 2021
Conner amassed over 1,500 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground in three years at Ole Miss.
Undrafted free agents to watch:
Jahcour Pearson is a bit undersized, but he stepped up in the slot when Lane Kiffin and the Rebels’ offense need him. Here he is against Auburn.
Jahcour Pearson with another huge play.
Currently has six catches for 109 yards pic.twitter.com/8MojQDVtiL
— T.J. (@TJOxley1) October 31, 2021
Mark Robinson was a running back when he arrived at Ole Miss, but he was soon moved to linebacker once the coaches realized what skills he brought to the table. He could also be a very good special teams player.
Mark Robinson in the backfield for Ole Miss's fourth sack of the game pic.twitter.com/u2AcCAuU46
— T.J. (@TJOxley1) October 17, 2021
Canadian cornerback Deane Leonard excelled for the Rebels this last season. He showed his speed and turned heads at Pro Day at Ole Miss, running a blazing hot 4.39 in the 40-yard dash.
HYDR! Tylan Knight with the forced fumble on the goal line and Deane Leonard returns it for 83 yards! pic.twitter.com/ummStoDPXs
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) November 28, 2020
Defensive end Tariqious Tisdale is a big athletic player who also turned heads at Ole Miss Pro Day with his physical testing. Here he is with a big tackle for loss against Louisville.
Tariqious Tisdale with the big TFL pic.twitter.com/IcrrauS9D3
— T.J. (@TJOxley1) September 7, 2021
Punter Mac Brown averaged 44.4 yards per punt in 2021 and 46.6 in 2020. His long in 2021 was 58 and 59 yards in 2020.
Ole Miss Punter @macbrown854 Career Highlight Video 2018-2021 https://t.co/WTSD9pd2O3
An amazing career leading to the next chapter as he prepares for the NFL!
— Coach Chris Husby (@SpecialTeamsFB) April 26, 2022
Hotty Toddy and best of luck to our Rebels! Stay tuned for more info as they’re drafted!
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy)
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
