One of the best opportunities for players to improve from one season to the next spring practice. There are quite a few position groups with starting jobs up for grabs, and the spring could play a big factor in who ultimately lands those spots.
One of the positions to watch this spring is wide receiver. The top two receivers from last year’s squad, Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core, are both currently getting ready for the NFL Draft. Their absence creates an interesting position battle to replace them.
Of the returning receivers, the top two are senior Quincy Adeboyejo, who had 38 catches for 604 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and junior Damore’ea Stringfellow, who had 36 catches for 503 yards and five touchdowns last season. Either Adeboyejo or Stringfellow could emerge as the No. 1 receiver by the time the season opens up. Stringfellow is likely to miss the spring with an injury, so competition to see who the next man up will be is pretty open. Junior Markell Pack, who had 31 catches for 380 yards and three touchdowns, brings some experience to the group and will definitely be an option to take over at slot receiver.
Two players with a great chance to move up the depth chart in the spring are sophomore Damarkus Lodge and redshirt freshman Van Jefferson. Lodge played sparingly and caught one pass for a 12-yard touchdown last season, but has size and speed and has already a few acrobatic catches this spring. Jefferson has great speed and could see a good bit of a time at slot this season.
The running back position is even more wide-open than the receiver spot. Leading rusher Jaylen Walton is out of eligibility, so, now, a number of players are vying to take on his carries. There’s a good chance the Rebels will use a running-back-by-committee approach next season, and senior Akeem Judd and junior Jordan Wilkins have a great chance to head the rushing attack.
Judd steadily improved throughout the season, taking 77 carries for 421 yard and three touchdowns; Wilkins finished with similar stats, taking 72 carries for 379 yards and four touchdowns. Either back could establish himself as the number one back going into the season.
Behind them, there’s a need for a speed back to complement the two power backs— which is where Eugene Brazley and Eric Swinney come into play. Brazely is a junior and played well in limited time this season, taking 22 carries for 222 yards and three scores. Meanwhile, Swinney is working his way back from a leg injury that caused him to redshirt his freshman season; but, as he continues to heal, he can add a lot of speed and elusiveness to the Rebels’ backfield.
The offensive line will also be interesting to watch this spring. While some players will not participate in the spring due to injury, a number of less-experienced players will have a chance to impress and get a leg up on the position battle this fall.
One of these players is Jeremy Liggins, who, after playing mostly quarterback and tackle in his first two seasons with the Rebels, has made a full time switch to offensive tackle.
Liggins has great athleticism for the position, and seeing more first-team reps should only speed up his development at offensive line. Sophomore guards Javon Patterson and Jordan Sims also have a great chance to impress in the spring, as they both played a good number of snaps last season and could become full time starters.
– Cody Thomason
