Ole Miss Fall Camp: Week-One Wrap-Up of all the Rebel Football Action
OXFORD, Miss. – Week one of Ole Miss fall camp wrapped up Saturday morning in Oxford, and it looks as if the Rebs are hitting the ground running at full speed.
With the opening kick in the Vaught just under a month away, here’s some insight on how things have started during the hottest time of the year.
Rebel Football is back 👿🍿🚂#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/3gub06Eqn3
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 2, 2023
Week 1 Offensive Recap
The quarterback room was the main focus during the offseason. It is clear returning starter Jaxson Dart has put in the time and work to improve his game.
When we visited with Dart at Media Day Wednesday, he explained his competitiveness and year-two improvements.
“I am competitive, regardless of who’s around me. I don’t think my status or self-confidence has ever been in doubt. I knew from year one to year two I was gonna make big strides in my game. Bringing them along (Sanders, Howard, Simmons) has created a very competitive room and that just makes you better. Competition breeds success and puts the team in the best position to succeed and win games.”
Jaxson Dart
Of course, the Rebels also have transfer quarterbacks Walker Howard (LSU) and Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State). Both continue to compete in their roles and Sanders looks to be at full health to vie for the QB1 spot following his battle with injuries in the spring.
True freshman QB Austin Simmons has also showed off a ton of raw talent during this first week of camp. The young gunslinger has even started to see some reps with rotational guys who will see the field in the fall.
As far as the receivers, there is no doubt this room is loaded with talent and depth. Louisiana Tech transfer Tre Harris and UTSA transfer Zakhari Franklin both look to be legit WR1s; however, Franklin is still dealing with a leg injury as of now and has been unable to practice.
Dayton Wade, Jordan Watkins, Jalen Knox, and JJ Henry all return from last year’s roster and look to play vital roles as skill guys in this offense. Bralon Brown has also returned, and everyone knows the potential he has. True freshman Ayden Williams looks like a future top wideout in just the few days this week we have been able to see him.
Ayden Williams is special 🍿@aydenwilliams74 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/z1L41w9al3
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 4, 2023
The slightly larger pass catchers cannot be left out either. Tight ends Caden Prieskorn (Memphis) and Michael Trigg were both named to the Mackey Award watch list earlier this week. I expect we’ll see these two on the field together a lot, likely followed by a lot of fireworks.
Pick your poison 👀#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/qZSxtrxl4r
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 4, 2023
When talking about this Ole Miss offense, the number one thing that comes to mind is Quinshon Judkins. Named to the Maxwell Award watchlist, the star-studded running back returns for his sophomore season looking even better.
Just look at how quick his feet are in this clip.
I’d say Quinshon looks in peak Quinshon form — and way bigger! #HottyToddy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QLC5YZBXBd
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) August 2, 2023
Judkins has talented support behind him as well. Ulysses “Doo” Bentley IV returns for his senior year after a limited but exciting sample size last season.
True freshman Kedrick Reescano also looks to be one of the newcomers who could make immediate impact in the fall.
And Friday, former four-star back Jam Griffin announced his transfer from Oregon State to Ole Miss, bringing more depth to the room. He was at practice Saturday, but not working out as of yet. Likely paperwork has to be completed.
Switching my lane like I’m Kiffin📈🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/fVgpMDmryk
— Jam (@J_Griffin_6) August 4, 2023
The big guys in the trenches are never appreciated enough. The Rebels have a ton of returning experience as four-out-of-five starters from last season are back.
Jayden Williams, Eli Acker, Jeremy James, Reece McIntyre, Caleb Warren and Micah Pettus all return from last season. Transfers Quincy McGee (UAB) and Victor Curne (Washington) arrived via the portal in the spring to create more depth. Brycen Sanders and Preston Cushman are two freshmen who will likely see the field in the fall.
Week 1 Defensive Recap
The Pete Golding era in Oxford is underway, and I would say it is off to a great start. Not only does Golding bring a much-needed new defensive scheme, but the football guru has really nailed it in recruiting since arriving in the ‘Sip.
The DB room for Ole Miss has been reloaded with talent this offseason. Along with the return of Deantre Prince, Trey Washington, Ladarius Tennison, Isheem Young and Demarko Williams, the transfers came rolling in as well.
Deshawn Gaddie Jr. (North Texas) and John Saunders Jr. (Miami, OH) both look like lockdown defenders. Zamari Walton (Georgia Tech) has seen first team reps at corner since arriving in the spring and will likely continue to do so heading into the fall.
Teja Young (FAU) and Jadon Canady (Tulane) both have been at practice at well, although in ‘no-contact’ jerseys. Liberty transfer Daijahn Anthony spoke to media for the first time today since arriving in Oxford and had this to say about what he brings to the table. “We don’t really do any talking. They’ll see, game one.”
Golding’s linebackers have received a ton of attention this offseason, as well. With a whole new system in place, Ashanti Cistrunk and Khari Coleman are the only returning linebackers from last year’s squad.
Along side those two, transfer LBs Monty Montgomery (Louisville) and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste (UCF) bring much-needed experience to the room.
Of course, Suntarine Perkins, the highest ranked recruit Oxford has seen in a few years, looks like a ‘freak-of-nature’ and could make an immediate impact in the linebacker room.
Jean-Baptiste gave his initial impression of Perkins during Saturday’s presser.
“Kid is gonna be a baller man. I love his high energy and motor. He’s gonna be a great part of this defense.”
Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste on Suntarine Perkins
Freshmen making an impact 👀#ComeToTheSip pic.twitter.com/IzG9iEpuVL
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 3, 2023
Four hands in the dirt at the line of scrimmage is what the fans wanted to see when Coach Kiffin made a change at defensive coordinator this offseason.
Returning to that line will be Jared Ivey and Cedric Johnson as primary edge rushers. A monster of a man in Zxavian Harris will likely see himself in the middle of that front alongside Oxford native JJ Pegues.
Two days ago, defensive tackle Pegues was named to the prestigious Wuerffel Trophy watchlist.
Hometown Hero 🦈@JeremiahPegues4 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/a1Cck39wDd
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 3, 2023
Jamond Gordon and Jakivuan Brown have returned as well and will fight for some rotational minutes on the line.
Transfer Joshua Harris (NC State) is a different type of big body the Rebs needed up front; he arrived in the spring and looks to become a starter this fall. Stephon Wynn Jr. (Nebraska), Akelo Stone (Georgia Tech) and Isaac Ukwu (James Madison) also all transferred in this summer and have been impressive so far.
Injury Report
DBs Teja Young and Jadon Canady both have worn the black ‘no-conact’ jerseys this week, although Young has participated in drills at full speed. Caleb Warren and Zakhari Franklin have both been seen arriving to practice wearing ‘no-contact’ jerseys as well.
Next Up
The Rebels will continue fall camp next week along with player and coach presser following certain practices. All of this leads into September 2nd in the Vaught against FCS opponent the Mercer Bears to kickoff the year.
Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for all your fall camp coverage and other Ole Miss sports updates!
(Feature image credit: Ole Miss Football)
Kameron Wicker
Kam is an undergraduate 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.
