PREVIEW: Ole Miss Football Opens 2023 Training Camp on Wednesday

OXFORD, Miss. – (Release) Ole Miss football hits the gridiron in preparation for the upcoming 2023 season with its first training camp practice on Wednesday morning.

(Click here for 2023 Media Guide)

Head coach Lane Kiffin and Rebel student-athletes will also meet with the media in the afternoon to recap the first practice and preview what’s to come for Ole Miss in 2023. Coach Kiffin’s full press conference will be made available via the Ole Miss Athletics YouTube page in the afternoon.

A preseason top-25 team by early media projections, Kiffin’s Rebels open fall camp in search of a fourth straight bowl appearance. Ole Miss returns the SEC’s leading rusher in Quinshon Judkins, while adding a large transfer class ranked as high as sixth in the nation.

For more information on the upcoming 2023 season, below is a full season preview and position breakdown for the Rebels:

2023 OLE MISS FOOTBALL TEAM INFORMATION
Basic Offense: Spread Lettermen Returning/Lost: 50/45 Offensive Lettermen Returning/Lost: 25/18 Defensive Lettermen Returning/Lost: 21/26 Specialists Lettermen Returning/Lost: 4/1	Basic Defense: Multiple Starters Returning/Lost: 12/13 Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 3/8 Specialists Starters Returning/Lost: 2/1

Lane Kiffin and the Rebels head into 2023 coming off a 2022 campaign that saw Ole Miss post an 8-5 record and make their third straight bowl appearance.

Looking to replace 45 letterwinners, Ole Miss has added a new infusion of talent to the 2023 roster, including 28 new transfers and 28 true freshmen out of the high school ranks. The Rebels have been as active as ever in the transfer portal, with Ole Miss now owning 49 total transfers on the roster.

Among those 28 new transfers were 20 mid-year enrollees who participated in spring ball – 13 of which came from Division I and helped contribute to a No. 6 class team ranking in the On3 transfer rankings.

Ole Miss returns seven offensive starters from a 2022 Rebel squad that ranked No. 3 nationally in rushing offense (256.6) and No. 8 in total offense (496.4). The Rebels averaged 6.4 yards per play, which ranked as the fifth-best mark in program history.

One of the key position battles headed into camp will be at the quarterback position. Junior Jaxson Dart returns for the Rebels after starting 12 games under center in 2022. Dart completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,974 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also ran for 614 yards on 128 carries. Ole Miss added transfers Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard, in addition to consensus four-star signee Austin Simmons, who reclassified to 2023 and has enrolled at Ole Miss.

Sanders appeared in 43 career games for Oklahoma State, earning 2019 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and 2021 first team All-Big 12 accolades. Howard, a transfer from LSU, is Ole Miss’ highest rated transfer according to 247Sports, coming in at No. 42.

Record-setting running back, Quinshon Judkins, returns after breaking multiple rushing records during his freshman campaign. Judkins – recently named to the Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List and numerous preseason All-America teams – led the SEC and ranked top-10 nationally in rushing yards (1,567), rushing touchdowns (16) and total touchdowns (17). Zach Evans departs for the NFL, but Ulysses Bentley IV returns to add depth to the running back room.

Jordan Watkins is Ole Miss’ lone starting receiver returning after the departure of Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath. Watkins hauled in 40 catches for 449 yards and two TDs last season. Similar to the quaterback position, the Rebels found several talented transfers at the receiver position that should step in and provide immediate experience. Tre Harris earned first team All-Conference USA honors after tallying 935 receiving yards and 10 TDs last year at Louisiana Tech, while UTSA transfer Zakhari Franklin enters 2023 with the Rebels as the NCAA’s active career leader in receptions (262) and second in yards (3,348).

Dayton Wade will also add depth and see playing time at wideout.

At tight end, Michael Trigg returns as Ole Miss’ lone returning producer at the position from 2022. Memphis tight end, Caden Prieskorn, adds yet another threat to the Ole Miss offense. In three years with the Tigers, Prieskorn cemented himself as one of the top aerial threats in the AAC after earning numerous accolades that include being named a 2022 first team All-AAC selection by PFF and Phil Steele.

Arguably one of the deepest positions again for the Rebels in 2023 will be the offensive line. Returning starters Jeremy James, Caleb Warren, Micah Pettus and Jayden Williams all return to help anchor the Ole Miss offensive line, with Pettus recently named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List.

The Rebels will need to replace a large portion of their defensive unit as Ole Miss loses eight starters from its 2022 squad. New defensive coordinator Pete Golding will be in charge of turning around a Rebel squad that allowed 388 yards per game last season.

Four letterwinners return for Ole Miss on the interior of the defensive line. JJ Pegues appeared in 12 games for the Rebels last year, registering 26 total tackles and five tackles for loss. Returner Jamond Gordon, along with NC State transfer, Joshua Harris, will all vie for playing time.

The Rebels will have to replace NFL Draft pick in Tavius Robinson at defensive end. Ole Miss will lean heavily on Jared Ivey and returning starter and active career sacks leader, Cedric Johnson. Ivey and Johnson tallied 37 and 32 tackles respectively last season.

Ole Miss returns seven letterwinners at linebacker, including Ashanti Cistrunk and Khari Coleman. Cistrunk is the Rebels’ leading returner with 72 tackles last year. Coleman tallied 42 total tackles in 2022, including 10 TFLs. Transfers Monty Montgomery and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste enrolled in the spring and will all compete for playing time.

Deantre Prince will be the returning starter and veteran at cornerback and in the Rebel defensive backfield. Prince recorded 39 tackles and 11 pass breakups last year, and is Ole Miss’ active career leader in interceptions. John Saunders Jr. and Zamari Walton, who have combined to appear in 70 FBS contests, have both transferred in and will see action at cornerback.

Ole Miss loses three of its four starters at safety and nickleback. Isheem Young returns after tallying 66 tackles last season. Ladarius Tennison and Trey Washington are both back for the Rebels as well. Tennison registered 54 tackles and 10 tackles for loss last year while Washington appeared in all 13 games with three starts.

QUARTERBACKS

• Jaxson Dart returns after throwing for 2,974 yards and 20 TDs.
• Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders will join the Rebels for spring ball and has started 41 career collegiate games.
• Sanders earned 2019 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and 2021 first team All-Big 12 accolades.
• Walker Howard, an LSU transfer, will join the Rebels in the spring.
• As a prep star, Howard was an Elite 11 participant and the 2020 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year.

RUNNING BACKS

• Quinshon Judkins returns after a record-breaking 2022 season.
• Judkins led the SEC and ranked top-10 nationally in rushing yards (1,567), rushing touchdowns (16) and total touchdowns (17).
• Ulysses Bentley IV returns to add depth to the running back room after scoring four touchdowns in 2022 before injuries sidelined him.

WIDE RECEIVERS

• Jordan Watkins is back for 2023 after hauling in 40 catches for 449 yards and two touchdowns last year.
• Dayton Wade also returns after tallying three receiving TDs in 2022.
• Transfer Tre Harris earned first team All-Conference USA honors at Louisiana Tech after hauling in 65 catches for 935 yards and 10 TDs.
• UTSA transfer Zakhari Franklin enters 2023 as the NCAA’s active career leader in receptions (262) and second in yards (3,348).
• Bralon Brown, Qua Davis, JJ Henry and Jalen Knox will all add depth at wideout.
• Four-star prep star Cayden Lee enrolled early and participated in spring drills, and is joined by another four-star freshman wideout in Ayden Williams.

TIGHT ENDS

• Letterwinner Michael Trigg returns at the TE spot.
• Caden Prieskorn, a transfer from Memphis, will be a factor for the Rebels in 2023.
• Prieskorn hauled in 48 catches for 602 yards and seven TDs last year.
• Returner Kyirin Heath will add depth to the position.
• Three-star prospect Jayvontay Conner joined the Rebels in the spring.

OFFENSIVE LINE

• The Rebels return starters Jeremy James, Caleb Warren, Micah Pettus and Jayden Williams.
• James allowed zero sacks in 430 pass blocks last season.
• Warren started 12 games at center last year and has registered 31 starts over the last three seasons.
• Pettus earned third team All-America accolades after nine starts at right tackle in 2022.
• Transfers Victor Curne and Quincy McGee enrolled in the spring and will vie for playing time on the line.
• Eli Acker, Cam East, Reece McInyre, Cedric Melton and Cedrick Nicely will all push for spots on the line.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

• JJ Pegues returns at defensive tackle for the Rebels after appearing in 12 games last year.
• Pegues tallied 26 total tackles in 2022, with five tackles for loss.
• Joshua Harris, a transfer from North Carolina State, will compete for playing time as well.
• Harris appeared in 31 career games with the Wolfpack.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

• The Rebels will have to replace NFL Draft pick Tavius Robinson at defensive end.
• Cedric Johnson is back after starting eight games in 2022 and finishing the season with four sacks.
• Returning letterwinner Jared Ivey started seven games last season and tallied 37 total tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.

LINEBACKERS

• Ole Miss returns seven letterwinners at linebacker, including Ashanti Cistrunk and Khari Coleman.
• Cistrunk is the Rebels’ leading returner with 72 tackles last year.
• Coleman tallied 42 total tackles in 2022, including 10 TFLs.
• Transfers Monty Montgomery and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste enrolled in the spring and will all compete for playing time.
• Montgomery tallied 70 total tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and six sacks for Louisville last season.
• Jean-Baptiste is a two-year starter at UCF and has posted two straight 50-tackle seasons.

CORNERBACKS

• Deantre Prince will be the returning starter and veteran at cornerback and in the Rebel defensive backfield.
• Prince recorded 39 tackles and 11 pass breakups last year.
• John Saunders Jr. and Zamari Walton, who have combined to appear in 70 FBS contests, have both transferred in and will see action at cornerback.
• Saunders Jr. tallied 52 total tackles and 10 pass breakups at Miami (Ohio) last year on his way to receiving third All-MAC honors.
• Walton started 37 of his 48 career appearances with Georgia Tech.
• Demarko Williams also returns and will vie for playing time.

SAFETIES

• Isheem Young and Ladarius Tennison will be relied upon heavily in 2023.
• Young tallied 66 total tackles last season as a Rebel.
• Tennison started eight games at defensive back and registered 54 tackles and 10 tackles for loss.
• Trey Washington also returns after appearing in all 13 games last year, tallying 31 total tackles.
• Consensus four-star recruit AJ Brown enrolled early and went through spring drills.

SPECIALISTS

• Ole Miss will have to replace place kicker Jonathan Cruz who was 15-for-17 in field goal attempts last year.
• The Rebels return punter Fraser Masin, kicker Christian Schanefelt, along with long snappers Jared Lawrence and Carter Short.
• Caden Costa returns after missing the 2022 season.
• Costa was 14-for-17 in 2021 as a true freshman, with a long of 50 yards.
• Transfer Caden Davis appeared in 33 career games at Texas A&M and 85 percent of his career kickoffs have gone for touchbacks.