Jonathan Mingo is focused on making the most of when his name is called
OXFORD, Miss. — Back for his fourth season in red and blue, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo leads Ole Miss with 203 receiving yards on nine receptions through the first three games of the season.
After missing seven games a season ago due to a foot injury, Mingo looks to be fully healthy again — at least one would assume so by looking at some of the highlight-reel catches he has made this year.
One hand 🤯@ogmingo1k | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/iegIhdSoD5
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 11, 2022
Mingo has one touchdown on the season; however, it is marked as a rushing touchdown because it came via a backward pass. Nonetheless, a touchdown is a touchdown.
Casual rushing touchdown for Jonathan Mingo…@ogmingo1k | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/gMrrm3CeFw pic.twitter.com/QZGbmhY1ve
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 3, 2022
Earlier this week, Mingo spoke with media on how he is feeling and what his thoughts are on the season.
”Just trying to get back in my groove, just trying to capitalize on every opportunity I get and make a play when my name is called. I’m just getting more comfortable each week as it goes.“
Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo
He’s also getting comfortable with a new quarterback throwing the ball to him. This season marks the first Mingo is on the Ole Miss roster without Matt Corral at quarterback.
Thus far into the season, the Rebels have still been using two QBs in each game. Jaxson Dart has started two of the three games, and Luke Altmyer one, but head coach Lane Kiffin has not yet announced an “official” starter.
One play from the win over the Yellow Jackets, however, reminded Mingo of his former quarterback, Corral.
In the third quarter of the game, Dart took off running and at the end of the play, rather than going out of bounds, put his shoulder down and knocked the Georgia Tech defender backwards as he fought for extra yards.
“I saw it on the replay. I was running a route, so I didn’t see it on the field,” Mingo explained. “I saw it on Twitter when I got on the bus. I was like, ‘Bro, I didn’t know you did that.’ It’s definitely cool to see him wear No. 2, having the same mindset as Matt (Corral). Coach always emphasized getting two more yards than going out of bounds. Two yards can carry into a lot.”
Mingo spoke of how he and Dart have built chemistry after not having much time together following Dart’s arrival in the spring as a transfer from USC.
“Whenever we have an off day, chilling, we got some one-on-one time, I just tell him to put the ball anywhere around me and I’ll try to come down with it, so he can trust me. I feel like we have really good chemistry.“
Mingo on his chemistry with Dart
The senior from Brandon, Miss. is averaging just over 22 yards a catch, which is tops in the SEC. All his hard work is paying off for Mingo.
“I try to work on every aspect of my game, deep balls short routes, intermediate routes. Whichever way gets the the ball, just trying to capitalize.”
Jonathan Mingo
He surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards against Central Arkansas where he caught three passes for 103 yards.
Mingo and the rest of the receiving corps will face a Tulsa team that is ranked the No. 1 passing offense in the country. Can Ole Miss’ pass game show them up?
Tune in Saturday at 3 pm on SEC Network to find out.
(Photo credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss; Graphic credit: Nick Filipich, The Rebel Walk)
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
