Ole Miss LB TJ Dottery Talks Zach Arnett’s Impact, Facing Florida’s DJ Lagway, and Thriving Under Pressure
OXFORD, Miss. – Speaking at this week’s press conference, Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery praised defensive analyst Zach Arnett’s influence on the defense, highlighted the challenges of containing Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, and reflected on how the Rebels thrive with their backs against the wall as they prepare for the season’s final stretch.
Before Ole Miss matched up with Georgia over a week ago, Florida had the Bulldogs on the ropes for the first half of the Florida-Georgia game thanks to the stellar play of true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. Unfortunately for the Gators, the former highly-touted prospect went down early in the game with an injury that looked to be significant.
Two weeks later, the freshman phenom returned from his injury to lead the Gators in a win over the LSU Tigers in Gainesville this past Saturday, proving to be the biggest win of the young signal-caller’s career thus far.
This coming Saturday, Lagway has yet another challenge in front of him as he prepares to take on the Landshark defense, a unit that leads the country in sacks. Linebacker TJ Dottery had high praise for the Gator quarterback; however, he says the Rebel defense is prepared for Lagway’s dynamic play.
“I think he’s (Lagway) very athletic. That’s what allows him to be very explosive. He has a very nice arm and gets the ball out well to his reads. That’s what allows him to make plays with his feet because he can throw the ball.”
~ Dottery on preparing for Lagway
The Rebels have faced a handful of dual-threat quarterbacks this season, ultimately containing all of them to the extent of eliminating at least one facet of their games. Dottery says Lagway is in a league of his own though, comparing him to the one quarterback Ole Miss faced this year that rushed for 50 or more yards.
“I think he stands out on his own, in his own category. I think he is really good, he has a lot of potential. If I had to say somebody, I would say a little bit of South Carolina’s quarterback (LaNorris Sellers).”
~ Dottery on Lagway’s comparison
Earlier this year in a 27-3 win over South Carolina, Sellers rushed for 55 yards on 15 carries against the Rebel defense, the most amongst all quarterbacks that have faced the Landshark defense in 2024.
Dottery says the mindset will not change for Ole Miss defensively, though, so expect the Rebels to be swarming to the Florida backfield with intent come Saturday.
“I think it’s kind of the same mentality. We key in on every quarterback that has the ability to be mobile. Being able to contain him (Lagway), keep him in the pocket and keep him contained as best as we can.”
~ Dottery on containing Lagway
Although many see defensive coordinator Pete Golding as the reason for the Rebels’ rise to success on defense, analyst and former Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett has been right by him in the booth. Like many other members of the Ole Miss staff this season, experience has been key in acquiring Arnett, and the game plan for Florida falls in his lap just as much as Golding’s.
Tuesday, Dottery had high praise for Arnett and what he brings to the table for the Ole Miss defense.
“I think he’s added a lot of experience to our defense. I think everybody gains knowledge from him, not only the coaches but the players as well. He does a great job helping anywhere he can, he has a lot of experience. He talks to the D-Line, linebackers, DBs, he talks to everybody.”
~ Dottery on Zach Arnett
With just two weeks left of regular-season football, the Rebels find themselves in a unique situation. Despite being sixth in the SEC standings, Ole Miss is ninth in the College Football Playoff rankings and looks to be two wins away from clinching their spot.
When Ole Miss fell to Kentucky early in the season, a lot of people gave up on the Rebels and the loss to LSU looked to be the nail in the coffin. However, the Ole Miss has been a completely different team since the second half of the Oklahoma game, winning three straight must-win matchups.
According to Dottery, the Rebels play better when they have something to prove.
“When our backs are against the wall, we play our best. I think it brings out the potential and the ability of everybody…I like it, it’s exciting for me. It makes every week a big game regardless of who we play.”
~ Dottery on Ole Miss playing better with their backs against the wall
Up next
Dottery and his Ole Miss teammates will continue their week of preparation before hitting the road to Gainesville this Saturday for the final road game of the 2024 regular season. On Nov. 23, the No. 9 Rebels will take on the Florida Gators in the swamp at 11 a.m. CT on ABC.
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.
