Ole Miss Football: 10 best players during the Hugh Feeze era

OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 19: Donte Moncrief #12 of the Ole Miss Rebels runs against Tahj Jones #58 and Tharold Simon #24 of the LSU Tigers on November 19, 2011 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. LSU beat Mississippi 52-3. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: C.J. Johnson #10 of the Mississippi Rebels celebrates sacking the Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback with his teammate Justin Anderson #31 of the Mississippi Rebels during the third quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The most versatile defensive player that Freeze had might have been C.J. Johnson. His career started at linebacker in 2011. Johnson then played on the defensive line from 2012-2014. And then his career finished back at linebacker.

Moreover, Johnson was successful at any position he played for Ole Miss. He racked up 180 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles during his five year career.

Johnson is not the most recognizable name that Freeze ever coached. Yet, he was one of the most serviceable and important to the success that the Rebels saw between 2012-2015.

The way that Johnson finished his career in Ole Miss’s Sugar Bowl victory at the end of the 2015 season was spectacular as well. He racked up 1.5 sacks in the 28-point victory against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

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