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Ole Miss Football: 2017 midseason grades by position

By Hunter Kinniburgh

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Sean White #13 of the Auburn Tigers scrambles for a first down as he runs past linebacker Tayler Polk #24 of the Mississippi Rebels and defensive back Jalen Julius #7 during the 2nd half of an NCAA college football game on October 29, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Sean White #13 of the Auburn Tigers scrambles for a first down as he runs past linebacker Tayler Polk #24 of the Mississippi Rebels and defensive back Jalen Julius #7 during the 2nd half of an NCAA college football game on October 29, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Grade: F

There’s not much that can be said about the Ole Miss linebacking corps other than that they are the same as last year and not improved. A big reason why Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson had such a big game against Ole Miss was because the linebacker weren’t where they needed to be and couldn’t tackle when they were there.

I don’t expect this group to improve much, if any, this season. There is some young freshman talent waiting in the wings that might make this unit better in the future, but as of now they show no signs of improvement.

DeMarquis Gates has still yet to live up to his potential and Detric Bing-Dukes, a heck of a competitor, and a good run stopper, just doesn’t have it when it comes to pass defense. This was the glaring weakness of Ole Miss last season and it wasn’t expected to change much from then and that has held true midway through 2017.

If this group is going to improve, they need to start attacking ball carriers and keep the down and distance on second and third down closer to the the 10 yards to go than one yard to go.

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