Ole Miss Practice Report August 10: Rebels don pads for first time in 2023 fall camp
OXFORD, Miss. – Another day of fall camp is in the books for the Rebs, as both the offense and defense continue to perfect their craft and integrate new faces. Head coach Lane Kiffin had the players in full pads today for the first time this fall, with a small scrimmage to open the day before regular drills began.
Media was allowed to observe the first four periods, and here’s what we noticed.
Integrating new faces on defense
During the short, opening-period scrimmage today, we can tell you the new Pete Golding defense did a whole lot of disrupting. With full pads on, the guys were even throwing some big hits at the end of plays.
Safety Trey Washington commented on what the Rebels are doing with all the new transfer and freshmen faces.
“Just welcoming them (new faces) into the culture. Introducing them the way Kiffin wants it, so we can go out and execute it and have fun while we are doing it, as a brotherhood.”
Trey Washington
True freshman Suntarine Perkins continues to garner a lot of attention as fall camp rolls on. The decorated 5-star from Raleigh, Miss. was in the starting linebacker rotation at times today, along with Ladarius Tennison.
Perkins saw as many reps during the scrimmage, if not more, as Monty Montgomery, Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, and Ashanti Cistrunk, all of whom are seniors. Starting linebacker Khari Coleman was not at practice during the portions we were able to see.
Golding’s defensive unit seemed a little more aggressive today, and the Landsharks have slowly started to lay the hit-sticks more frequently.
Demarko Williams saw a ton of action during today’s scrimmage. The defensive back was one of the players disrupting the offense often, alongside freshman Nick Cull.
Cull saw limited time during the spring, but it seems seems as if he and Williams have made their way into the secondary rotation with Williams solidifying his role as the fourth corner behind Deantre Prince, Zamari Walton and DeShawn Gaddie.
DBs making plays 👀#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/8odETmnn13
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 8, 2023
Zamari Walton said Williams is one who has been impressing him in camp.
“Demarko Williams, he was hurt last season, (but) he’s come in (this year) and done a very good job. I’ve been watching him throughout this whole process and he’s been looking really well. Honestly, all the guys. He’s (Coach Keynodo Hudson) coaching us hard, so everyone has looked good.”
Zamari Walton on Demarko Williams
Position Battles
Most of the true position battles right now are coming on the offensive side of the ball.
The quarterback battle has been heating up as fall camp has rolled on. Today Jaxson Dart and Spencer Sanders both traded drives during the scrimmage, rotating with starters against the first team defense. Dart seemed to move the ball a little more effectively today during his drives.
Crafting the Offense 🍿@Lane_Kiffin | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/l5ObTjY4FV
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 9, 2023
Attack the day 🦈@SpenceSanders | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/rSdLQs66fL
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 10, 2023
While offensive lineman Victor Curne was with the first team at left guard the last two practices, Eli Acker was back running with the ones today.
Running back Jam Griffin participated in practice for the first time since arriving in Oxford this past weekend. The Oregon State transfer was not in full pads; however, expect to see him, Ulysses Bentley IV, and Kedrick Reescano battling for getting carries behind Quinshon Judkins.
The wide receiver room in Oxford has become absolutely loaded with talent this offseason. The Rebels have Dayton Wade, Austin Watkins, JJ Henry, Bralon Brown and Jalen Knox returning. Expect to see around eight to ten different receivers early with the additions of freshmen Ayden Williams and Cayden Lee and transfers Tre Harris and Zakhari Franklin.
Caden Preiskorn has brought a ton of excitement to the tight end room for the Rebs. The Memphis transfer has already become a leader and has most definitely solidified himself as a starter within the offense.
Projected starting center Caleb Warren spoke about Preiskorn’s leadership today.
“He’s been tremendous. He has kinda taken over the tight end room, being a leader, a good vocal leader. He puts his head down, he works, leads by example and the things he’s already done here are tremendous.”
Caleb Warren on Caden Prieskorn
Tight end Michael Trigg will obviously be the ‘freak-of-nature’ that he is, but it’s Kyrin Heath and Jayvontay Conner who have been seen getting more reps recently. Heath, a sophomore, had some buzz around him late last year due before suffering an injury, but has found himself taking first team reps early in camp.
A position battle no one is talking about is at place kicker. Texas A&M transfer Caden Davis arrived in the spring and Caden Costa returns from his year-long suspension. Costa likely has the upper-hand due to his stellar freshman year in 2021 with the Rebs; however, Davis has been used just as much during situational kicking drills so far.
Injury Report
All the players who were in ‘non-contact’ jerseys previously continued to wear them this today. That list consists of: Teja Young, Jadon Canady, Caleb Warren, Zakhari Franklin, Qua Davis, Mac Owens, Skielar Mann and Rayf Vinson. Senior running back Ulysses ‘Doo’ Bentley IV was also seen in a ‘no-contact’ jersey today but still participated in drills.
Three players new to the non-contact jerseys this fall were running back Matt Jones (concussion), linebacker Khari Coleman, and tight end Hudson Wolfe.
Up Next
The Rebs will continue to grind it out on the gridiron for the next couple of weeks. On September 2nd at 1 pm, Ole Miss will host Mercer in the Vaught to kick off the 2023 college football season.
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.
