With Senior Day set for Saturday’s ULM game, what Ole Miss seniors have another year of eligibility remaining?
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin announced on Thursday’s RebTalk with David Kellum that quarterback Jaxson Dart will officially return to Ole Miss for the 2024 season as the Rebels look to compete in next year’s 12-team playoff bracket.
“I mean, I guess I can kind of speak for him, (Dart’s) said he’s coming back. We’re planning on him being back next year and getting better.”
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin on QB Jaxson Dart
Let’s take a look at the list of seniors who have no remaining eligibility after this season, as well as those who could possibly return if they choose.
Here are the seniors with no eligibility after this season concludes:
S Daijahn Anthony, QB Spencer Sanders, WR Zakhari Franklin (could potentially apply for medical redshirt), CB Zamari Walton, CB Deantre Prince, LB Monty Montgomery, CB DeShawn Gaddie Jr., LB Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, Teja Young, S Jalen Knox, LB Ashanti Cistrunk, OL Quincy McGee, OL Victor Curne, DT Stephon Wynn Jr., DL Jamond Gordon, and DE Isaac Ukwu
On the flip side, the Rebels also have seniors with an extra year of eligibility due to the additional COVID year granted by the NCAA.
Lane Kiffin on Thursday talked about the players who might participate in Senior Day, but who have another year of eligibility remaining and could decide to return.
“We have a lot of guys in discussions that have another year. It’s kind of different than it used to be. There are some that are kind of like ‘I’ve played long enough and want to go take my shot (at the NFL).’ But there’s actually a lot of guys in this area that could come back, whether they’re thinking of leaving early, or whether they’re just using the COVID year to go to the draft, or some even done playing football. So we’re kind of in a recruiting mode of our own players, which is a common theme nowadays.”
Lane Kiffin
Seniors with an additional year of eligibility remaining are as follows:
DT Josh Harris
DE Cedric Johnson,
S John Saunders Jr.
RB Jam Griffin
WR Tre Harris
WR Jordan Watkins
DE Jared Ivey
WR Dayton Wade
WR Joshua Aka
LB Khari Coleman
RB Ulysses Bentley IV
K Caden Davis
OL Caleb Warren
OL Reese McIntyre
OL Jeremy James
TE Caden Prieskorn
DT JJ Pegues.
S Antione johnson
P Fraser Masin
Despite Ole Miss losing quite a few key players, the Rebels will have a chance to retain some of the most productive players on the 2023 roster. And keep in mind the transfer portal opens on December 4.
This season, wide receivers Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and Dayton Wade have all caught for over 600 receiving yards each, and with Dart coming back, I would predict that at least two of those three will put on a Rebel jersey next year.
On the offensive line, if Caleb Warren, Reese McIntyre, and Jeremy James were to return, it would give the Rebs not only their starting center back but two leaders who play a big role on the depth chart.
Another important piece to the passing game, in addition to the offensive line, is tight end Caden Prieskorn. This is a player who did not play full strength until week five due to injury, and because of that, it could affect his draft stock. Prieskorn would undoubtedly start at the tight end spot next year and be a huge piece for both the running and passing games.
Defensively, Khari Coleman, Jared Ivey, Cedric Johnson, and John Saunders Jr. have all seen a great deal of time and action throughout their careers. Not only would Johnson and Ivey start on next year’s defense if they choose to return, but they would also use their leadership to greatly enhance one of the most talented 2024 defensive line classes in the country that the Rebs are currently recruiting.
In the secondary, with the loss of Deantre Prince and Zamari Walton, getting John Saunders Jr. back would bring a lot more confidence and further benefit the depth of the defense.
Although you may see many of these seniors participate in Senior Day Saturday vs. ULM, you could see a good number of them choose to return to run it back next year.
Hotty Toddy!
