Ole Miss Football Practice Report | Tuesday, August 20 Notes from the Field

OXFORD, Miss. — Just 11 days away from the season opener, the Ole Miss Rebels football team hit the gridiron for practice again Tuesday morning as fall camp nears its final days.

Back in the Vaught in 11 Days 🏈⏰#ComeToTheSip pic.twitter.com/JQiNzfGNMO

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 20, 2024

Offense

Regarding the signal-callers behind Jaxson Dart, the backup quarterback race in Oxford could be close to an end. Throughout camp, Austin Simmons and Walker Howard have flashed their unique skills as they battle for a future spot in the center of the Ole Miss program. It’s worth noting that freshman quarterback AJ Maddox has also looked great in his reps as well.

As far as the playmakers surrounding these guys, specifically, Virginia Tech transfer Dae’Quan Wright has continued to impress in his role behind senior leader Caden Prieskorn. Today, I noticed Wright working on run blocking and then making sideline grabs in one-on-one drills.

Who stood out for Ole Miss at practice today?

Here’s three according to The Rebel Walk’s @kam_wicker who was at practice today:

• Reece McIntyre (C/G)
• Dae’Quan Wright (TE)
• Tyler Banks (LB)

Hotty Toddy! pic.twitter.com/2uDn3oSTw6

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) August 20, 2024

Sophomore Cayden Lee has been a usual target for Dart throughout camp, showing more and more of his offseason improvements every day. Most notably, the recent Rebel transfer addition Micah Davis has turned heads already. The Utah State transfer looks dangerous on special teams as a returner while also showing great speed and route running during his reps in the slot.

In the trenches on offense, there was not much difference from the recent weeks of camp. However, I did notice senior Reece McIntyre working at the center spot with Dart. McIntyre has experience at center over his years at Ole Miss and today, the senior made the move again joining Gerquan Scott and Caleb Warren at the position.

Defense 

On the opposite end of the trenches, returning defensive lineman Akelo Stone has had my attention lately. Stone seems to be a name many football watchers have forgotten about, but the senior is poised for another solid year upfront for the Landshark defense.

Another player who has impressed me lately is true freshman Will Echoles. Just yesterday, the Mississippi-made defensive tackle earned preseason Freshman All-American honors.

On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American: Ole Miss DL William Echoles🦈https://t.co/ZD1sjFLukT pic.twitter.com/RfOXESNy9b

— On3 (@On3sports) August 19, 2024

Finishing out the front seven, the linebackers for the Rebels were seen working on open-field tackling today. During those drills, I noticed junior linebacker Tyler Banks making a plethora of tackles. The veteran Rebel defender has shown out on special teams in the past, but I fully expect the hard-hitting backer to make his way into the defensive rotation in 2024.

In the back end of the Ole Miss defense, returning corner Chris Graves Jr. has impressed me lately. In the midst of all of the transfer in that room, Graves is still expected to be an impact player on Saturdays. The former Miami transfer exploded onto the scene late in the year in 2023, and now he gets to practice across from one of the better offenses in the country.

Up Next

The Rebels will continue fall camp practices throughout the remainder of the week with the fall semester at Ole Miss beginning Monday morning. Just a few days out from game week, the Rebels continue to prepare for the season opener 11 days away on August 31st inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.