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Ole Miss Football: Victor Evans could be ideal replacement for Speaks, Haynes

By Andrew Miller

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Troy Cook #10 of the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks throws a pass under pressure from defensive end Victor Evans #14 of the Mississippi Rebels during the first quarter of an NCAA football game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 9, 2017 in OXFORD, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Troy Cook #10 of the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks throws a pass under pressure from defensive end Victor Evans #14 of the Mississippi Rebels during the first quarter of an NCAA football game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 9, 2017 in OXFORD, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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Getting an underrated defensive end back from injury like to-be senior Victor Evans could boost the Ole Miss football defense in 2018.

Ole Miss football does have some question marks to address this off-season following the loss of two key defensive lineman in Marquis Haynes and Breeland Speaks. Both Haynes and Speaks were early to mid-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, showing their talent level. Yet, this is a huge task for the Rebels to find the next man up in each spot.

Haynes is the career record holder for sacks in Ole Miss football history. He was a staple for the entire Rebels’ defense in recent years. Yet, rising senior defensive end Victor Evans might be the only returning lineman with enough proven experience to take Haynes’ spot right off the bat.

Last season, Evans had the best year of his college career to date, posting five tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. His efficiency is further displayed by the fact that he only played in five games all season, the least of his career in Oxford. Given a full body of work this fall, Evans could have a breakout season just due the amount of exposure he’d get.

Among all the players that the Ole Miss coaching staff has to choose from in the front seven, Evans’ ceiling could be the most intriguing. Injury held him out of most of the 2017 campaign, but his physical tools and raw athleticism make him an interesting play for head football coach Matt Luke.

A few other names to watch includes a former highly touted recruit in Markel Winters and Ryder Anderson. Evans could be a mainstay that occupies one of the defensive end positions along the line, and either Anderson or Winters could work their way into the other.

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The Ole Miss defensive line will be anchored by the two defensive tackles in Josiah Coatney and Benito Jones. Coatney is the returning sack leader for the Rebels and will need to lead the front seven. If he gets guys like Evans to step up in the absence of Haynes and Speaks, this group should still be good to go.

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