Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) during an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014.
The defensive line might be one of the strong spots on an Ole Miss defense that was ranked first in the nation in scoring defense last season, and one of the strong spots of the team in general.
The team returns two starters, as part-time starting defensive tackle Bryon Bennett has graduated and senior C.J. Johnson, who started at defensive end last year, has now moved to linebacker. One returning starter is junior defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche. Nkemdiche was a member of the First Team All-SEC defense last season and was very beneficial to the rest of the defensive line last season, as he commanded a lot of attention from the offensive line each play. Even with offense’s game planning against him, Nkemdiche still got 35 tackles and two sacks last season.
With Johnson gone, Marquis Haynes will likely step in to fill the starting role. Haynes, who led the Rebels in sacks last season with seven and-a-half last season, is still undersized at 6-foot-3-inch, 220 pounds, but is able to use his superior speed and athleticism to create a dangerous threat on the edge, much like Johnson did during his time at defensive end.
Junior Fadol Brown, who is the other returning starter on the line, will hold the other defensive end spot. Brown is a great complement to Haynes, as he makes up for Haynes’s lack in size with a 6-foot-4-inch, 280-pound frame. Brown is great in run support, where Haynes can struggle due to his size; meanwhile, Haynes’s pass rushing is perfect next to Brown, who racked up 38 tackles and five and-a-half tackles for loss last season, but only recorded half a sack.
At the other defensive tackle spot, Isaac Gross, who started six games last season, could get the start. Gross is also undersized at 6-foot-1inch, 240 pounds, but has great speed and can get in the backfield quickly. Senior Woodrow Hamilton also has some starting experience, and presents a bigger option for the Rebels as he is 6-foot-3-inches, 319 pounds.
Entering the defensive tackle rotation will be junior college transfer D.J. Jones and redshirt freshman Breeland Speaks. Jones was ranked as the top junior college defensive tackle and the number three overall player in junior college by 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings and had scholarship offers from some of the top schools in the nation. Jones is listed at 6 feet, 324 pounds, and stands a great chance to earn the starting defensive tackle spot next to Nkemdiche.
Meanwhile, Speaks should be ready to see the field for the first time in his Ole Miss career. Speaks was a four-star prospect, according to 247 Sports’ Composite Ranking, and will add some much-needed youth to the rotation.
As for the backups at defensive end, there is a good mix of youth and experience behind the starters. Senior Channing Ward is a great athlete and has been essential for the Rebels’ special teams, in addition to playing some great minutes as a substitute last season. Junior John Youngblood has also been a solid rotation member and will continue to add to the Rebels’ depth.
Redshirt freshmen Victor Evans and Garrald McDowell are also expected to be featured in the end rotation next season.
According to 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings, McDowell was a four-star recruit out of high school and the number 13 strong side defensive end in the country. McDowell played tackle and end in high school and should give the Rebels some flexibility with his ability to play multiple positions on the line. Evans is a full-time defensive end, and will fit into the rotation as a speed rusher on the edge.
