In Oxford, Mississippi, much like most other universities in America, Spring practice is in full swing for the upcoming football season. For the Ole Miss Rebels, it’s an upcoming season that has plenty of potential, and major expectations. Coming off a historic 11-win season, the most in school history, many fans are anxiously awaiting the August 31 season opener.
In addition to the 11-win season, Ole Miss also boasts the number one transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports. While those rankings could change with the upcoming Spring transfer portal window, it’s doubtful the rankings will change too much.
However, rankings and potential means nothing if they don’t equate to wins on Saturdays in the fall. And getting those wins in the Fall starts with building chemistry and developing talent in the spring.
So what takeaways have we seen through three weeks of Spring practice for the Rebels?
Offseason Injuries Playing a Part
It’s certainly not a new phenomenon, but injuries are playing a relatively big part in Spring camp for Ole Miss. And starting quarterback Jaxson Dart is one name that has been impacted. Early in Spring camp, Dart was dealing with a lower-body issue that limited his mobility. The good news is that he was still able to handle passing drills and 7 on 7 work. The other positive from that situation is that it allowed backups Walker Howard and Austin Simmons the chance to see more reps. Getting those guys more snaps could play a big part in building their confidence and experience entering the Summer and Fall.
Another potential spot to keep an eye on in terms of the injury bug for the Rebels is at the running back position. This offseason, in the process of transferring to Ole Miss from LSU, Logan Diggs underwent knee surgery. While Lane Kiffin and company are hopeful he returns at some point during the 2024 season, the timetable for that return remains up in the air.
But that isn’t the only Rebel running back facing injury concerns this Spring. Following Quinshon Judkins transfer to Ohio State, returning back Ulysses Bentley IV is the presumptive starting running back. But he has been dealing with his own injury concern, as well. And while his issue seems to be minor in nature, it’s still one to keep an eye on.
With two running backs facing some injury concern, and one transferring out, that has left Kedrick Reescano taking a lot of the carries throughout Spring practice. A returning sophomore, Reescano is yet to see any in-game snaps. But getting a solid numbers of Spring carries could be a huge step forward for him.
Transfers Learning a New System
Apart from the injuries, one other question surrounding Spring camp for the Rebels is how well the transfers learn a new system. While the transfer talent is undeniable, learning a whole new system can be difficult, which is where some of the questions arise.
To this point, those transfers have seemed to answer those questions with ease. Florida transfer defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen made headlines last week when discussing his development in his short time at Ole Miss so far.
“I feel like I’m getting coached harder. The way I was coached at Florida, it was almost as if they were telling me to go out there and use my talent, if that makes sense. But here, the coaches are really on me about the little things. I feel like I’m actually getting developed,” Umanmielen said, about the differences between coaching at Ole Miss and Florida. Based on those comments, he certainly seems to be pretty comfortable in his new system.
Another defensive transfer that seems to have adjusted nicely to a new town and new system is Chris “Pooh” Paul, Jr. The Arkansas transfer also had heavy praise to give towards the coaching staff, especially defensive coordinator Pete Golding.
“Coach Golding is an excellent coach. He’s coached some great linebackers throughout his days. So just listening to him and going through what he’s laid out for me has already made me a better player,” Paul said, when asked about the new staff.
With the praise shown from Paul and Umanmielen, it’s reasonable to assume that other new faces, such as Walter Nolen and Trey Amos, would also be adapting well to the new system.
Can Added Competition In Spring Practice Lead to Success?
Everyone has heard the old adage that competition breeds success. This year is going to test that theory for the Ole Miss football program. For one of the first times in recent memory, this Rebel squad doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.
On the offensive side, the receiving corps, both returning and incoming, look solid. Dart is returning for his final season. The offensive line picked up some major upgrades through the portal.
On defense, the secondary should be be greatly improved. And the defensive line could be one of the best units in the SEC, if not all of college football. This means that day in and day out talented guys are going up against each other in practice. That’s obviously not the same as playing in front of 102,000 in Death Valley in mid-October, but facing elite competition on a daily basis can better prepare you for an environment like that, against a talented opponent. For Ole Miss, they’re clearly hoping that proves to be the case.
Ole Miss wraps up its Spring camp with the annual Grove Bowl on April 13. After that, all eyes turn towards Summer and Fall, and the season opener against the Furman Paladins on August 31.
