Ole Miss’ Jeremy James discusses the reloaded Ole Miss offensive line, praises OL coach John Garrison
OXFORD, Miss. – Going back to December 11th, 2022, Ole Miss announced the hiring of new offensive line coach John Garrison. Garrison had a history of producing effective players on his offensive lines, including two linemen from North Carolina State who were selected as all-conference players in 2022.
“John is a really great offensive line coach and person and spends a ton of time with them,” Coach Kiffin said last fall as the Rebels headed into their first full season with Coach Garrison.
Arriving at Ole Miss, Coach Garrison was tasked with learning an entirely new offense with new coaches, players, and personnel, which would be a challenge for anyone put in that position. A little over a year later now, senior Jeremy James says Garrison has been able to get off to a much more systematic start working with such a familiar group.
“At this point last year, he was still trying to learn who we were as players, but this year he has a good understanding, so he is able to help us a lot more with technique and knowing how to coach each player.”
Jeremy James Coach Garrison’s second year of coaching at Ole Miss
Despite the Rebs returning over 10 offensive linemen from last year’s roster, there were still several additions made through the transfer portal, including names such as Diego Pounds, Gerquan Scott, Julius Buelow, and Nate Kalepo.
With a defensive line unit comprised of returners JJ Pegues, Jared Ivey and Zxavian Harris, along with transfer stars Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen and freshman five-star Kamarion Franklin, James and the O-line are getting quite the workout with their defensive counterparts.
“It’s a lot of fun,” James said. “They’re really, really talented. It’s making us go to work every day, and it’s really fun. They’re really good players.”
With Buelow and Kalepo coming off a run to the national championship game, their teammate James was asked what they have brought to the line up to this point.
“They’re really talented. Physical, really smart players, and I think they’re going to be really, really good for us.”
Jeremy James on Washington transfer OL Nate Kalepo and Julius Buelow
In terms of his personal goals, James is taking this time in the spring to try and improve his versatility across the offensive line along with the fundamentals of Ole Miss football.
“Working on the little things. Mastering the playbook, connecting with the teammates, and getting to the ultimate goal to try and win it all.”
Jeremy James on what he is looking to improve this spring
James and his offensive line teammates will be playing for a Rebel squad that will likely be ranked preseason top ten, as well as a definite contender for the expanded 12-team college football playoffs.
“We have a lot of new faces, but a lot of old faces,” James said. “We’re just trying to gel together, go to work and get better,” he added.
As spring ball continues and we inch closer to the Grove Bowl on April 13, be sure to stay tuned with The Rebel Walk. Hotty Toddy!
