Practice Report: Rebels move indoors for Thursday’s football practice
Oxford, Miss. — The Rebel football team continued spring practice Thursday morning inside the Manning Center. Vaught-Hemingway stadium will be open again this Saturday for viewing of another scrimmage, all leading up to an April 15th Grove Bowl date.
A Top Defensive Mind
On Monday, PFF College Football named new Ole Miss DC Pete Golding a top ten Defensive Coordinator in the country. Golding’s group of guys have taken steps forward each day they practice.
Transfer linebacker Monty Montgomery spoke to the media Thursday on why he chose Ole Miss:
“It was the perfect fit. ‘Professor G,’ Pete Golding, came in and made me feel at home. He was even cool with my DC from Louisville.”
Ole Miss linebacker Monty Montgomery
Last season, the Rebel defense allowed nearly 2,000 rushing yards on the year, something Golding is looking to clean up with his ‘4-2-5’ scheme.
The Ole Miss defensive front has been doing a lot of listening and learning, showing improvements during this past Saturday’s scrimmage in a number of areas, including rushing the passer and plugging rushing lanes. Coach Golding continues to be very energetic and instructive with his defense.
A Multiple Offense
Lane Kiffin runs an interesting offense, and with the addition of tight end Caden Prieskorn, among others, the Rebel head coach seems to be implementing a more multiple scheme.
Senior wide receiver Jalen Knox has really made his presence known this spring — both with his play and as a leader. Dayton Wade, another senior receiver, who has also developed into a leader in the wide receiver room, has been impressed with what he’s seen from his teammate, commenting Thursday on Knox’ leadership.
“Jalen Knox, he came out of nowhere. Everybody has been sleeping on him. Last night he encouraged the whole receiver group to go out to Walmart and support Mississippi Tornado victims, so we did that.”
Dayton Wade on Jalen Knox
QB Competition
Lane Kiffin intrigued many this offseason by bringing in two highly-rated QBs to a room that had a returning starter. Receiver Dayton Wade also spoke on how he sees the QB room:
“I know the media is like, ‘why do they have three great quarterbacks?’ but what people don’t understand is when you have a lot of talent in a room, it brings the best out of everyone. Everybody is great but somebody has to be better than somebody. The fastest way to bring that out is having someone challenge you.”
Dayton Wade on the QB competition
Returning starter Jaxson Dart has continued to take a majority of 1st team offensive reps, with Spencer Sanders taking most of his with the second group. Redshirt freshman Walker Howard also has seen himself on the field a lot with the second group.
The three Rebel QBs will display their talents in the second open scrimmage of the spring this Saturday inside the Vaught.
Slinging it 🎯@JaxsonDart | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/iO5wPIpnaL
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) April 6, 2023
Oh, and speaking of Rebel quarterbacks, look who made an appearance at practice today. Former QB Matt Corral was spotted working out.
Back on campus 🫡@corral_matt | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/xz1dXRLFkq
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) April 6, 2023
Always a Reb 💙@corral_matt | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/raHZQdNDrE
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) April 6, 2023
Injury Update
The same Ole Miss players who have been wearing the black, no-contact jerseys during certain periods of practice all continued to do so today. Offensive players WR Jordan Watkins, WR Tre Harris, OL Jeremy James and OL Jayden Williams all wore the black jerseys today. Receivers Jeremiah Dillon and Larry Simmons were also seen in black today as well.
Cornerbacks Deantre Prince and Demarko Williams continue to wear black along with defensive ends Jakivuan Brown and Cedric Johnson.
Wide receiver Dayton Wade and safety Ladarius Tennison were both at practice; Tennison was a ‘full-go,’ while Wade wore a black jersey before eventually putting the offensive colors back on.
Stay Tuned to The Rebel Walk for more spring football coverage!
(Feature image credit: Kam Wicker, The Rebel Walk)
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.
