Ole Miss football heads into 2019 with a revamped roster, a loaded backfield and new defensive scheme. How does that change the depth chart?
Change happens to every college football team each year and Ole Miss is no different. Yet the Rebels return the fewest offensive starters (2) from last season and the most defensive (10) starters, meaning there will be more than a few new faces on the field this fall.
New coordinators Rich Rodriguez and Mike MacIntyre will surely make changes as the season progresses but for now, Ole Miss will make due with a mix of veteran leadership and newcomers, whether they’re straight out of high school or junior college, these newcomers will be counted on in some key positions. MacIntyre’s switch to the 3-4 defense will certainly provide much-needed change for the defense.
Even with all of these new players, we can still get a somewhat clear picture as to how the depth chart could look for the season opener based off of fall practices.
Let’s start with the quarterbacks.
Quarterback
Starter: Matt Corral
Backups: Grant Tisdale OR John Rhys Plumlee
Ole Miss has one of the most interesting quarterback rooms in the country in 2019 as Matt Corral is the most veteran guy in the as a redshirt freshman — yes, you read that correctly. Everyone else is a freshman. Corral did play in four games last season, mostly in mop-up duty so he has some experience under his belt, albeit very limited.
Much is expected of Corral, though. He has a big arm and has the athleticism needed for a Rich Rodriguez offense.
Should an injury happen, the next man up is Grant Tisdale, a freshman who went through spring ball and knows the offense as well as any true freshman can. John Rhys Plumlee is another true freshman who joined the team during the fall.
Put simply the 2019 season lives or dies with Corral. Matt Luke and anyone else involved with the program knows just how important Corral is this season.