Notes from Practice: Ole Miss football begins second week of spring workouts
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football practiced Tuesday morning, its fourth time thus far this spring, and media was allowed in to watch for the entirety. Here are our notes and observations from practice, as well as video from Coach Kiffin’s post-practice presser.
We’ve been reporting since practices began last Tuesday that returning QB starter Jaxson Dart, to our eyes, just “looks” bigger and stronger. Head coach Lane Kiffin apparently feels the same.
“He’s looked great, which is strange to say for a returning starter,” Kiffin said.
“He’s probably one of our most improved players out there. he look better physically, mentally, everything. We’ve been very excited about him so far.”
Lane Kiffin on Jaxson Dart
Kiffin believes Dart’s competition with transfers Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Walker Howard (LSU) is good for all three.
“I think it’s been great for him,” said Kiffin of Dart. “I think it’s natural for us to not want competition around. I certainly understand that, but I think it’s been really good for him.”
However, Dart met with media after practice today and he apparently looks at things a little differently, indicating he doesn’t feel he’s in a competition.
“To be honest, I just see myself as the starter,” Dart said.
“I had year one and I kind of established myself. I have year two and I’m kind of getting more bonds with the guys on the team, being a leader, so I feel like I’ve taken ownership of that. I’m just ready to do my job and I’m loving where I’m at right now. I expect myself to have a great spring and keep performing the way I’m performing. I’m excited to help this team win.”
Jaxson Dart
Offense ahead of defense
With Charlie Weis, Jr. returning as offensive coordinator, the Rebels will have the same system this season — putting the unit a few steps ahead of their defensive counterparts who have a new coordinator in Pete Golding.
Coach Kiffin talked about the two units at this point in time.
“I think that our offense is ahead of our defense, which is to be expected with a returning system back. And we’ve got a brand new system on defense with a lot of new players and lost some good players. I would say that would be my general assessment. We’ve got a lot of work to do to develop depth on both sides of the ball. I’m also excited about our guys and know that we will continue to improve with so many new guys.”
Coach Kiffin on the offense and defense
Wide Receivers
Trying to replace receivers of the caliber of Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath isn’t an easy task. Coach Kiffin commented on where things stand now.
“I think at outside receiver, it was a concern. That’s why it was addressed in the portal. We’re excited about the guys, like (A&M transfer) Chris (Marshall), that are here. But at the same time, they’re younger than those last two guys (Mingo and Heath). There’s a lot of work to do out there.”
Coach Kiffin on Rebel WRs
We also saw receivers Jalen Knox, Bralon Brown, Brandon Buckhaulter, Larry Simmons and JJ Henry who all performed well.
Keep in mind there are three wide receivers who are out with hamstring injuries: transfer Tre Harris, returning veteran Jordan Watkins, and freshman Caden Lee.
Offensive line
While Jayden Williams and Jeremy James continue to sit out due to injury, the starting offensive line we are seeing now in practice continues to consist of: left tackle Victor Curne, left guard Eli Acker, center, Caleb Warren, right guard Quincy McGee and right tackle Micah Pettus.
Today, the second team offensive line consisted of Cam East (left tackle), Cedric Nicely (left guard), Eli Acker taking center snaps, Brycen Sanders (right guard) and Cedric Melton (right tackle).
Tight Ends
It’s hard not to notice Caden Prieskorn, the Memphis transfer, who continues to impress. At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, he makes a big physical presence, has very good hands and is an effective blocker.
Michael Trigg also looked good at tight end in Thursday’s practice. One of the football staff members was overheard pointing out some of the outstanding blocks Trigg was making.
Freshman Jayvontay Conner has also caught the attention of coaches thus far this spring.
Running back
Quinshon Judkins and Ulysses Bentley continue to impress at running back. Judkins showed his usual patience and vision during the Team Offense vs. Team Defense Tuesday. Walk-on Matt Jones is also doing some good work.
Coach Kiffin talked about Bentley’s performance after practice.
”(Ulysses) Bentley has had a great camp, so far. I do think that his injury set him back during the season, which it would with anybody missing all that time. He didn’t have many opportunities. We played the other two guys (Quinshon Judkins and Zach Evans) a lot. Prior to his injury…his analytics were very good, and he was getting ready to have a great year.”
Coach Kiffin on Ulysses Bentley
Defense
With DC Pete Golding implementing a new system, there is a lot to take in on the defensive side of the ball. From what we have seen so far, the Rebs have mostly been in a 4-2, but they have shown a little 3-4 occasionally.
Defensive line
Defensive tackle Zxavian Harris is huge…he’s 6-foot-7, 335 pounds, and has been impressive thus far. He’s joined by veteran DT J.J. Pegues who is also having a solid spring camp.
Defensive end Jared Ivey looks confident out there and at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, seems to be more of a physical presence than last season. While DE Cedric Johnson is out due to offseason shoulder surgery, JJ Hawkins is playing a lot at the position. He looks to be handling his assignments quite well.
Secondary
The defensive backs were flying around Thursday’s practice, disrupting plays against the wide receivers and the QBs in 7 vs. 7.
Ole Miss lost a lot in the secondary, including stalwart at safety AJ Finley who logged the most minutes of anyone in the secondary last season. Fortunately, Ole Miss does return safeties Ladarius Tennison, Trey Washington and Isheem Young who are having a good spring thus far.
Two returning cornerbacks — Deantre Prince and Demarko Williams — are out due to injury.
It’s one area of concern Coach Kiffin mentioned after practice. “I think that there are some issues in the secondary due to some injuries and pure numbers, especially outside at corner,” Kiffin explained.
One player who is turning heads and can help at corner is Georgia Tech transfer Zamari Walton. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder has speed and continues to play very physical.
Linebacker
The Rebels return Ashanti Cistrunk and Khari Coleman at linebacker. The duo has been practicing with the ones, but they are being challenged by transfers Monty Montgomery and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste. Tyler Banks has also been practicing well, is extremely physical, and could find himself in the mix as well.
Stay tuned for more info as we’ll be out at Thursday’s practice.
Kameron Wicker
Kam is a senior at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.
