Ole Miss Football: 4 Players who could breakout in 2022
![NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels leads his team to the field against the Baylor Bears prior to the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels leads his team to the field against the Baylor Bears prior to the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/dc059a9d6e389cd73c3abb81d5e214c93f4e173995f665e367094c08b4a02092.jpg)
There are four players that could have a big year in 2022 and have a big impact for the Ole Miss football team next season.
Looking ahead to the 2022 season, the Ole Miss football team will have new faces almost everywhere. With crucial departures at nearly every position, new players will have to step up if they want another shot at a record year and another Sugar Bowl appearance. Expect some of these new faces to have a breakout season in 2022.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Rebels lost many playmakers to draft. Those declared for the draft are QB Matt Corral, RB Snoop Connor, RB Jerrion Ealy, WR Dontario Drummond, and WR Braylon Sanders. The Ole Miss football team is also losing talented RB Henry Parrish Jr, who transferred to the University of Miami.
As a result, almost all offensive production from the last two years will be gone next year.
Every year, all teams have to undergo changes, especially those who produce top talent. This is not the first time Ole Miss football will lose crucial pieces on the offense. They lost duo DK Metcalf and AJ Brown and were able to lean on Elijah Moore the year after. He stepped up when the Rebels needed a new weapon out wide.
The Rebels had to do the same this past season in finding a receiver who can step up and fill the void left by Moore. Drummond showed flashes in the 2020 Outback Bowl when Moore sat out. This season Drummond continued from the Outback Bowl and took over the role left by Moore. The Rebels will expect the next man to step up next year like years past.
Three offensive players could step up and stand out next season. Quarterback Jaxson Dart will compete with Luke Altmyer this offseason for the starting quarterback role. Whoever takes the starting role will put up big numbers in a Kiffin-led offense. Zach Evans should expect to be the leading man this year with all the running backs gone. Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo will look to bounce back after being injured most of last season.
The offense is not alone when it comes to losses. The defense is also losing some big names to the draft who will need replacing. Edge rusher Sam Williams and linebackers Chance Campbell, and Mark Robinson declared for the draft. That means the Rebels lose their sack leader and two top tacklers, all of whom impacted the Landsharks’ rebirth this season.
The defense will look to some new faces to continue the success from a year ago. The Rebels brought some talent from the transfer portal. Also, they got signatures from highly-rated recruits to help fill in missing pieces.
Even with all the changes, expect head coach Lane Kiffin to get the best out of everyone and have another exciting season down in Oxford and here is a look at the top four breakout candidates for Ole Miss football in 2022.