Can Ole Miss Rebels Ever be an SEC Powerhouse?

Offense

Bo Wallace is the most exciting part of the returning talent for the Rebels. The senior, who is on the Manning Award watch list, joins Dak Prescott in what is sure to be a great season for quarterback play in the state of Mississippi. Throwing for 3,348 yards, completing 65 percent of his passes, and adding another 355 rushing yards shows how he is a very efficient mobile quarterback, perfect for Freeze’s spread offense. He also had 24 total touchdowns, 6 of which were rushing. But if he is going to take another step, he has to cut down on his sacks rate. Being sacked 24 times is a lot in a spread offense predicated on getting rid of the ball quickly, and with lots of the offensive line gone, there’s a chance it’ll be worse this year, so it’s on Wallace to improve his pocket awareness. He’ll probably be better, but if he wants to take another step, and possibly position himself to be a high NFL draft pick, that’s the one thing he needs to focus on.

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Most of the major players in the running game last year are back, including Wallace, is back. Freeze used a lot of players, with three backs who rushed in the 500-yard range, another who rushed for 310 yards, and Wallace. This year, although two of the backs are gone, the two leading rushers, juniors Jaylen Walton and I’Tavius Mathers, are back. Mathers had 564 yards rushing and averaged 5.9 yards per rush, and Walton added on another 523 yards and 6 touchdowns. To continue the depth he has, look for Freeze to turn to sophomore Mark Dodson for a more prominent role along with redshirt freshman Jordan Wilkins. The running game overall has no reason not to be better this year with the top two guys returning and plenty of potential.

The Rebels would appear to take a hit at wide receiver with the loss of Donte Moncrief, who had 938 yards and 6 touchdowns, and No. 3 receiver Ja-Mes Logan. But all that does it make more room for sophomore Laquon Treadwell to turn into a superstar after racking up 608 yards and 5 touchdowns as a freshman last year. Look for him to be All-SEC and possibly All-American this year. Senior Vince Sanders will do fine in a more prominent role as the No. 2 receiver as well, and Freeze can turn to sophomore Quincy Adeboyejo in the slot, while Collins Moore and Cody Core provide depth. Sophomore Evan Engram should return to his prominent role at tight end after 268 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns, but senior Nicholas Parker will also be used. Freeze has so much talent and depth at the receiver that despite the losses, the unit should be better this year. The younger guys are much better than the ones who left.

Aug 29, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace (14) passes against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Rebels beat the Commodores 39-35. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

The losses at offensive line would appear to be a big concern with four starters gone, but not when you take into account the players that will be plugged in. Freeze’s 2013 recruiting class loaded up on the line. Senior guard Aaron Morris and junior Justin Bell are the most experienced starters on the unit this year, with 20 starts and 13 starts respectively. They’ll fill the guard spots with no problem, as Morris stands at 6’5″ 345 pounds and Bell is 6’2″ 352 pounds. That makes for massive size to be able to run up the middle. Senior Carlton Martin was once a highly recruited guard who hasn’t yet had a chance to start, but that should change this year, and he’ll be fine. The star of the line, though, is sophomore tackle Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil was a 5-star and started 10 games as a freshman last year. Standing at 6’5″ 305 pounds, he has a very good chance to become the best left tackle in the SEC this year. The loss of center Evan Swindall is probably the biggest loss because he was the most experienced player, but junior center Ben Still should be able to fill the void. Freeze also brought in junior college lineman Fahn Cooper to offset the loss of talent, and at 6’5″ 312 pounds, he could immediately step into a starting role. Sophomore tackle Robert Conyers and redshirt freshmen Darante Bouldin and Davion Johnson will provide depth at the position, along with 4-star freshman Rod Taylor. Freeze has recruited well enough on the line that the loss of four starters won’t mean much. There will be a slight regression due to inexperience, but he has a breakout star on the line along with other guys who have seen plenty of action.

The offense last year averaged 30 points per game and relied mostly on the passing game but overall was very balanced. Expect a slightly more pass-oriented offense this year and a bunch of young talent to make it even better. The unit might struggle a bit in the early part of the season, but by the mid-point it should be leaps and bounds better than last year with so much raw talent. Having a veteran quarterback doesn’t hurt either. Continue to Next Slide for Defense