Big Men Up Front Lead the Way: Ole Miss Offensive Line is Experienced and Deep
OXFORD, Miss. — For most fans, individual performances often define the sport of football. That can come in the form of a quarterback who is the star player, distributing the football and often taking most of the credit — or the blame; or the running backs whose exploits thrill us and garner admiration for the physical toll that they absorb; or the wide receivers whose tremendous athletic abilities provide many of the best highlights as they try to win one-on-one matchups.
The offensive line, however, is often overlooked. But no other players function as a team, as a single unit, quite the way that the big fellas up front do.
When most Ole Miss fans think of the Rebels’ offense, they immediately turn their thoughts to potential Heisman candidate running back Quinshon Judkins, or they ruminate over whether returning starter at quarterback Jaxson Dart will beat out some highly-skilled newcomers in transfers Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Walker Howard (LSU) as well as four-star hot-shot Austin Simmons.
But while much conversation has gone into discussing the strength of the QB and RB rooms, the Ole Miss offensive line is big, experienced, and ready to roll.
Four out of Five Offensive Line Starters Return
The Rebels’ o-line is one of the stronger units on the team, thanks to 11 players who return from last season — including four out of five starters. The only starter from last season who is not back is NFL draftee Nick Broeker.
“We probably have more experience than any offensive line in the country,” said senior right guard Jeremy James last week at Ole Miss media day.
James has started all 36 games the past three seasons.
“Caleb (Warren) has over 30 starts, Eli (Acker) has played a lot of football here and our two tackles (Jayden Williams and Micah Pettus) started every game last year as redshirt freshmen. I doubt there are any offensive lines with as many starts as we have.”
Right guard Jeremy James
There are 18 total offensive linemen on the Rebels’ roster, including seven newcomers who have all been getting reps thus far during fall camp.
Three-year letterwinner Eli Acker, who has played in 24 games and started nine, spoke with media after practice Monday about the unit and echoed James’ sentiments.
“This year is probably the deepest we’ve ever been, offensive line wise,” Acker explained.
“We truly got probably eight or nine guys who can go play. Young guys like Brycen Sanders, he’s doing a great job for a freshman. He’s going to be a great player in the future.”
Eli Acker on the offensive line depth
In addition to new players joining the returnees, the Rebels also have a new position coach, John Garrison, who was brought in before the Texas Bowl last season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator.
“(Garrison)’s been great. He came into the room and established some ground rules and established the culture, and we ran with it and ran with him. It’s been great so far.”
Eli Acker on John Garrison
From what we’ve seen thus far in fall camp, the Rebels look to be lining up as follows:
Left tackle: Jayden Williams, Cam East
Left guard: Eli Acker, Victor Curne (they’ve been splitting a lot of first-team reps)
Center: Reece McIntyre, Brycen Sanders (Caleb Warren will take over the starting center spot when he returns from injury)
Right guard: Jeremy James, Quincy McGee
Right tackle: Micah Pettus, Cedric Melton
This should be one of the deepest, most-talented two-deep offensive line rosters the Rebels have had in quite some time.
Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk as we bring you all the latest from fall camp.
(Feature image credit of Jeremy James and Reece McIntyre: Ole Miss Athletics)
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.
