Ole Miss Football Fall Camp Report: Rebels back at work Monday, August 7
OXFORD, Miss. – Week two of the grind that is fall football camp began Monday morning for the 2023 Rebel squad. A team with a ton of new faces (coaches and players) continues to find its way on the practice field — and seems to be bringing more aggression every day.
Here are some updates for Monday.
No ‘Rat Poison’
The Rebels came in at No. 22 in the preseason coaches polls released Monday. Head coach Lane Kiffin would say we shouldn’t take the ‘rat poison,’ meaning there’s plenty of work to do and improvement to be made.
🚫🐀☠️#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/YgaSYj6lFo
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 7, 2023
Quinson gets some receiving work
Ole Miss star running back Quinshon Judkins got some receiving work in Monday — and looked as impressive as one would expect. Coach Kiffin talked Monday about the added dimension to Quinshon’s game.
“In year two with players, you can take the next step…in doing more things. Whether that’s a quarterback or a running back. You can use a guy more in the passing game — things that, in my opinion, when you first get them you don’t want to do all that because then you never really get good at just being the normal running back. We are looking at some things with him (Quinshon) and he’s uniquely gifted for a bigger, stocky guy that he can play in the passing game which a lot of times is not the case.“
Coach Kiffin on Quinshon
Wide Receiver U
Speaking of the passing game, true freshman wideout Ayden Williams continues to get a lot of attention in a loaded receiver room. Williams has been targeted very heavily since camp began, even making a ‘SportsCenter Top 10’ type of grab in the end zone today.
Coach Kiffin talked after practice Monday about his star newcomer.
“I’d kind of rather you guys (be the ones to) just report about how great he is, so I can keep him humble and keep him working. But you guys see what I see so, still got a lot of work to do, but you can report what you see there. I’m not gonna rat poison my own freshman.”
Lane Kiffin on Ayden Williams
Williams isn’t the only talented receiver. In fact, transfers Zakhari Franklin (UTSA) and Tre Harris (Louisiana Tech) were both named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list this morning. No doubt a competitive battle will take place for WR1 once Franklin recovers completely from injury.
New faces making noise 🍿#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/qYB1nIphYb
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 7, 2023
The last bit of rat poison for the day involves Memphis transfer tight end Caden Prieskorn.
We have all witnessed the size and talent he brings since arriving in the spring, but according to Kiffin, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Preiskorn has already established himself as a leader.
“Prieskorn has fit in really well. The players put him on the leadership committee already after not being here very long, which says a lot. So he’s extremely mature and we’re excited about him.”
Lane Kiffin on Prieskorn
Kiffin and Dart
Coach Kiffin and former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral had a close friendship that was well-documented. Monday, Coach Kiffin was asked if he and returning quarterback Jaxson Dart share a similar type of relationship.
“I think that’s more a question for the player. I like Jaxson a lot. I think Jaxson has matured a lot, developed a lot. His game is a lot better in a year. He’s mature but he was still young (last year). It was just his second year of college in his first year here. He’s really grown into a leader of this team.“
Coach Kiffin on Jaxson Dart
Defensive Progression
A brand new defensive scheme will always raise offseason questions. When asked about new defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s unit Monday, Kiffin says he feels good about it.
“Only a few practices in but, I think Pete (Golding) is doing great. A lot of new pieces on the players and staff, they’ve spent a ton of time preparing for this, working really hard. So really excited about that.”
Coach Kiffin on the Rebels’ defense
Saturday after practice, returning safety Ladarius Tennison commented on what it has been like fitting into the Golding system.
“Really easy, actually. Coming from a different school, different culture, scheme, he has helped me a lot. I can recognize different things. (I’m) understanding coverage, just fitting.”
Ladarius Tennison
First-year defensive backs coach Keynodo Hudson has worked alongside Coach Kiffin in the past. From the looks of it, the DBs are very engaged with their coach. Hudson is a very high-energy guy, and Monday afternoon Coach Kiffin even gave a nod to his impact in recruiting.
“We’ve been around (Coach) Key (Hudson) a long time, ever since he worked for us at USC and then FAU, now here. And he’s always done a great job in recruiting, done a great job with player development and phenomenal energy. So it’s great to add him.”
Coach Kiffin on DB coach Keynodo Hudson
As for other defensive news, true freshman linebacker Suntarine Perkins continues to impress everyone around him. The ‘Sip’ native keeps showing everyone why he will be an immediate impact guy.
James Madison transfer Isaac Ukwu has been repped a ton at outside linebacker thus far in camp. This is a position we did not see much of in the past for Ole Miss. Returnee Reginald Hughes has also been impressive as well in that role behind Ukwu.
Richard O’Bryant, who saw the field a ton in the spring due to the depth issues at defensive back, seems to have made his way into the DB rotation. The sophomore corner has been getting a lot of attention from Coach ‘Key.’
Injury Report
As of now, all the players who were in ‘non-contact’ jerseys last week continue to wear them this week. That list consists of: Teja Young, Jadon Canady, Caleb Warren, Zakhari Franklin, Qua Davis, Mac Owens, Skielar Mann and Rayf Vinson.
NFL Scouts at practice
Scouts from seven NFL teams were present at Monday’s practice. Those included reps from the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Atlanta Falcons.
Up Next
The Rebels will continue to practice for the rest of August, leading up to September 2nd when the season officially opens. Your Ole Miss Rebels will host the Mercer Bears in the Vaught at 1 pm the opening Saturday of the season.
Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for all your Fall Camp coverage and other Ole Miss sports updates.
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.
