OXFORD, Miss. – It’s finally here! On Wednesday morning, Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebel football team returned to gridiron as fall camp has officially kicked off.
Offense
With Jaxson Dart returning for a “last ride” season, the senior quarterback had all the eyes on him today. The media did not get to see much of the Rebel signal caller with Walker Howard and Austin Simmons taking heavy reps in his place as well, but Dart sure did look the part looking bigger and, most importantly, healthier.
As far as the weapons surrounding the senior quarterback, wide receivers Antwane ‘Juice’ Wells, and Jordan Watkins, along with tight end Caden Prieskorn, all look sharp and seem to be ‘full-go’ at the start of camp. Alongside those guys were the usual faces like outstanding wide receiver Tre Harris, but I would pay close attention to guys like returning WRs Cayden Lee and Ayden Williams as they are both set up for breakout seasons.
Running Backs
There are plenty of familiar faces returning on offense for the Rebels in 2024; however, the running back room is loaded with new talent. Miami of Ohio transfer RB Rashad Amos and Georgia State transfer Domonique Thomas caught my eye today. They are two backs that many fans are unfamiliar with, but will likely be key parts of a running back room that could very well be “by committee” style come week one.
Fortunately, Ulysses ‘Doo’ Bentley IV is another returning face, a veteran in that running back room that will no doubt be an X-factor in this offense. Henry Parrish Jr. has also returned to Oxford after a stint in Miami, so look for him to be heavily in that rotation as well.
Offensive line
Another room filled with new faces is the offensive line unit. O-Line coach John Garrison will have his hands full in the best way possible trying to figure out the starting five up front. Today, Washington transfers Nate Kalepo and Julius Buelow stood out to me as they both looked even bigger than they did in the spring. Fan favorites such as Micah Pettus, Jeremy James and Caleb Waren were all back out there today as well, full-go.
Defense
Entering year two under the Pete Golding system, the expectations for the Landshark defense are at an all-time high in Oxford. My main takeaway from watching the football guru Golding walk around today was noticing that he did not spend all of his time with the linebackers as he has in past practice viewings. With so many new faces, it seems like Golding is giving input wherever he feels is needed.
Defensive line
The defensive line drew in the most eyes today with draft prospects such as Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen taking the field for their first fall camp as Rebels. Nolen stood out to me, going hard in his drills and somehow not looking small next to the ‘monster of a man’ in Zxavian Harris.
Other familiar faces like JJ Pegues, Jared Ivey and Akelo Stone all participated today as well, but it was Jacksonville State transfer Chris Hardie who had my attention the most. Hardie was a late addition to this Rebel defense that I expect will play a huge part on the outside of that defensive line for coach Randall Joyner.
Linebackers
The linebackers seemed to be split up today, as there looks to be a lot more depth at the position than a year ago for Ole Miss. Many fans — and just the eyes on Ole Miss, in general — are waiting to see what sophomore Suntarine Perkins will be doing for Golding this year. Mostly used as a QB spy in 2023, I expect Perkins to work heavily on the edge this year. Although, I did notice the ‘Swiss army knife’ linebacker drop into coverage from his edge spot often today.
Other linebackers like Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul Jr., Khari Coleman and TJ Dottery all returned today as well, mostly hovering at those middle linebacker spots. They look strong and fast and ready to go.
Secondary
Just like every other unit on the defensive side of the ball, the secondary welcomed many new faces today. However, senior safeties Trey Washington and John Saunders Jr. both captained that unit, as I am sure Golding is looking for those two to be the vocal leaders of the defense. Houston transfer Isaiah Hamilton and Alabama transfer Trey Amos caught my eye today too, as both guys seemed to be the main matchups to watch. Other transfer DBs such as Louis Moore, Yam Banks and Key Lawerence are players to watch throughout camp as well.
Other names to watch
These players, while not specifically mentioned above, are also ones to watch. We’ll have more on them as camp progresses.
Offense:
SR/TR Devin Price – WR
SR/TR Jordan Smart – WR
FR Noreel White – WR
SR/TR Logan Diggs – RB
JR Matt Jones – RB
JR/TR Dae’Quan Wright – TE
JR Hudson Wolfe – TE
FR Dillon Hipp – TE
JR Jayden Williams – OT
SR/TR Gerquan Scott – OG
SR Eli Acker – OL
JR/TR Diego Pounds – OT
FR/RS Brycen Sanders – OL
Defense:
FR Kam Franklin – DE
FR Jeffery Rush – DE
FR Will Echoles – DT
FR Kamron Beavers – DT
FR/RS Jamarious Brown – DL
FR/RS DeeJay Holmes Jr. – DE
JR/TR Raymond Collins – LB
JR Tyler Banks – LB
SR/TR Brandon Turnage – DB
JR/TR Cedrick Beavers – DB
JR Richard O’Bryant – DB
FR TJ Banks – DB
JR Jarell Stinson – DB
SO Chris Graves Jr. – DB
SO AJ Brown – DB
Up Next – Media Day Today
With Ole Miss football Media Day following the first day of fall camp, interviews with Coach Kiffin and many players will be available later this afternoon. The Rebels will continue fall camp as scheduled leading up to week one in the Vaught against Furman on August 31st.
Stay tuned at The Rebel Walk for all your Ole Miss football fall camp coverage.
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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.
