Ole Miss Football: 5 biggest questions facing the Rebels in spring 2018

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ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 05: Eric Swinney #24 of the Mississippi Rebels is carted off the field in the first half against the Florida State Seminoles during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

3. Can Scottie Phillips push Eric Swinney?

Heading into the 2018 season, Eric Swinney looks like the favorite to start at running back, replacing Jordan Wilkins who rushed for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns on 6.5 yards per touch during the 2017 campaign. However, incoming JUCO transfer Scottie Phillips could be in the running as well.

Sure, you can include D’Vaughn Pennamon, but he suffered a devastating knee injury last season and it looks like he’s still in limbo. He might be on the outside of the running back position battle looking in by the end of the spring.

Back to Swinney vs. Phillips, though. Swinney, a junior, rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns on 4.8 per touch a season ago, but is he ready to become the lead back? Phillips, a JUCO transfer from Mississippi, was listed as the No. 2 running back at that level in the 2018 class and is enrolled early.

Both will be able to duke it out during the spring game and get extended carries but it’ll be interesting to see which one stands out. This is a position battle to keep an eye on.

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