Ole Miss Football: 5 most important players to watch during spring 2018

There’s more returning production in the linebacking corps than there is on the Ole Miss defensive line. However, the potential leader of this group is rising junior linebacker Brenden Williams. Even though Williams only racked up two total tackles in 2017, he’ll still be counted on in a big way to lead a younger group of linebackers.

Moreover, at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Williams has the size and physical tools necessary to compete at the level required in the SEC each week. Williams will be without the supporting cast of DeMarquis Gates and Taylor Polk, but the younger talent is plentiful.

Gates and Polk were very underrated for being two strong SEC linebackers in 2017. But, their role falls to other linebackers such as Williams, rising junior Jarrion Street, and rising redshirt junior Willie Hibbler. Each of the three showed flashes, but no consistent body of work yet.

The uncertainty factor is what will lead some people to question the ability of the Ole Miss linebackers entering 2018. Returning production constitutes very little in terms of proven in game action for this group, but the ceiling is high for an athletic group of linebackers in Oxford.