It’s Game Week! What to expect from Lane Kiffin and his 2023 Rebel offense in the season opener vs. Mercer

OXFORD, Miss. — It is officially game week for Ole Miss! The Rebels are preparing to take the field against the Mercer Bears on Saturday, September 2 in the 2023 season opener. As we approach kickoff, let’s take a look at the offense, what we’ve learned in fall camp, the questions we might still have, and the answers we can expect. 

Quarterbacks 

Who is QB1? That’s likely the most-asked question surrounding the Ole Miss offense during fall camp. Similar to the beginning of last season, however, Lane Kiffin and his staff have not yet announced who will be the starter for the game against Mercer. Now, when the depth chart comes out this week, we may see a QB1, but we could also see an “OR” listed between Jaxson Dart and Spencer Sanders. 

Taking the next step 🎯@JaxsonDart | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/Vqv7UyDMVF

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 14, 2023

While all signs from fall camp point to last year’s starter Dart taking the ball first, you can bet Oklahoma State transfer Sanders will also get some reps at quarterback.

Humble over hype 😤@SpenceSanders | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/FMTVvCHcFZ

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 16, 2023

Uniquely for the Rebels this season, there is far less time to debate who will start at the QB position. Instead of facing unranked Central Arkansas in week two, the Rebels this season will be traveling to New Orleans to face No. 24 Tulane — and the Green Wave have been picked to win their conference. Because of the time crunch and a visit to Tuscaloosa in week four, we do expect the quarterback question to be answered soon.

Running Backs 

Another point of interest for Rebel fans is the running back room. Unanimous Preseason All-American Quinshon Judkins is clearly the starter for the Rebels.

Looking back at Quinshon Judkins & if he wasn’t difficult enough to bring down the way he presses the LOS & rides his blocks just makes it appear impossible. pic.twitter.com/sf0J1uQwkq

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) August 17, 2023

But the question is who comes next in the rotation and what should we expect from Ulysses Bentley IV, Oregon State transfer Jam Griffin, true freshman and four-star recruit Kedrick Reescano, and sophomore Jackson, Miss. native Matt Jones?

In comparison to last year, when both Bentley and Zach Evans, the latter now in the in NFL, were banged up, depth should not be a problem for this year’s running back room. Rebel fans should expect to see a decent amount of playing time from all the backs in week one.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

How does Ole Miss replace the production of last year’s wide receivers Malik Heath and Jonathan Mingo, each now in the NFL? The answer would be with some highly-touted transfers, a remarkable true freshman, and some strong returning talent. 

One of the highly-anticipated parts of this year’s team will be the air attack and what Lane Kiffin does to put the puzzle pieces together. 

New additions like true freshman wide receiver Ayden Williams, and transfer wide receivers Tre Harris (Louisiana Tech), Zakhari Franklin (UTSA), and tight end Caden Prieskorn (Memphis) should make a noticeable impact to this offense. Franklin has missed most of fall camp with an injury but should be ready to go soon. 

Ayden Williams is special 🍿@aydenwilliams74 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/z1L41w9al3

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 4, 2023

In the 2022 season, the Rebels ranked third in the SEC in total offense and No. 8 in the country, and they’ve got a shot at besting those numbers this season.

Ayden Williams was recently named to the pre-season freshman All-America team by On3, while Harris and Franklin were named to the Biletnikoff award watch list. As for Prieskorn, he also found himself on the John Mackey award watch list. 

La Tech transfer WR Tre Harris has a chance to put up some number for @OleMissFB this fall…. pic.twitter.com/VJWOcz4GQ2

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) May 29, 2023

TE Caden Prieskorn is gonna help open up the middle of the field for the Rebels this fall! Might be a touchdown catching machine in Kiffin’s offense! 👀🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/LHwKPYZX17

— Derrell Hart Jr., Pharm.D. (@Derrell_PharmD) August 20, 2023

Ole Miss also has some very talented returning wide receivers in Jalen Knox, Bralon Brown, Jordan Watkins, and Dayton Wade. True freshman Cayden Lee has been seen everywhere in the offense and walk-ons Joshua Pfeifer, Drew Burnett and Joshua Aka grinded their way into some time in the rotation at camp as well.

True freshman Jayvontay Conner has excelled at tight end during the fall. Returning tight ends Michael Trigg, Kyirin Heath, and Hudson Wolfe will also be candidates to back up Prieskorn at the tight-end position. With all of these elite additions and returners, it is safe to say expectations are high for the Ole Miss passing game.

Offensive Line

Finally, the offensive line. One of the most experienced groups of this Ole Miss football team brings back redshirt sophomore Jayden Williams, senior Eli Acker, senior Caleb Warren, senior Jeremy James, and redshirt sophomore Micah Pettus. In addition, the Rebels have added some impressive depth in the form of transfers Quincy McGee, and Victor Curne. 

Kam Wicker of The Rebel Walk has covered fall camp and watched the talent and depth first-hand throughout August. “As far as the players rotating in on that left side, we believe transfers Quincy McGee and Victor Curne look to make the biggest impact of them all,” Wicker wrote recently.

Returnees Cedrick Melton and Cedric Nicely have both been seen all over the line so far, providing the coveted depth. Brycen Sanders, Cam East and Preston Cushman are the three freshmen who are expected to grow up fast in the SEC and could be looked at to contribute.

Center Warren recently recovered from injury and is “good to go,” but the time he missed allowed senior Reece McIntyre to garner more playing time with the ones, providing a big-time depth piece which was an issue for the Rebs in the 2022 season. With that being said, it is evident that new offensive line coach John Garrison has all of the right guys up front, allowing the offense the freedom to throw, and run the ball efficiently.

Looking ahead 

As they say, “Talking season is over.” We’ll get to see the answers to all our football questions this Saturday, September 2, at 1:00 p.m. in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. 

Talking season is over 🤐#ProMindset | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/8QSyPi4g3f

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 27, 2023

And stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for next up in this series where we’ll learn more about Pete Golding and a revamped Ole Miss defense you will see on the field this year.

Hotty Toddy!