Ole Miss Football: 5 newcomers who could start in 2018

Jordan Wilkins quietly put together a 1,000-yard rushing season but will need to be replaced. Will junior Eric Swinney be enough to carry the load in 2018? It’s possible, but JUCO transfer Scottie Phillips could come in and compete right away.

It helps that he’s already had collegiate experience, even though it occurred at a less competitive level. Phillips is coming from Jones County Junior College in Mississippi and he’s ranked the No. 2 running back at the JUCO level. He’s also listed as the No. 48 overall prospect at that level.

Phillips chose Ole Miss over the likes of Connecticut, UAB and Miami, committing back in July and signing in the early period. He has a thick frame at 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds and doesn’t often go down on first contact.

While he’s not going to blow anyone away with his speed, Phillips has a downhill running style that’s coveted at the collegiate level. He also has impressive vision. He could be a nice replacement for Wilkins in 2018.