In four parts, The Daily Mississippian will break down the different position groups of the Ole Miss football team in anticipation of the 2016-17 season.
In the backfield, the Rebels are set at the quarterback position with the top returning passer in the SEC, Chad Kelly. Kelly is going into his senior season after setting school records in a season in which he passed for 4,042 yards on a 65 percent completion percentage and and scored 31 touchdowns to 13 interceptions.
Chad Kelly talks to the offense before the snap during a game last season. (File photo by Cameron Brooks)
Kelly is in no danger of losing his starting job, but the spot behind him will have plenty of competition, with redshirt freshman Jason Pellerin and true freshman Shea Patterson both vying for the backup spot. Both from Louisiana, whoever wins the backup spot will have to lead the Rebels’ offense should Kelly suffer an injury any time during the season.
Pellerin has a significant size advantage and the added boost of a year spent learning the offense, but the highly touted Patterson is very polished as a passer for his age. Either way, the Rebels don’t look to have any problems with the quarterback position for the upcoming season.
Akeem Judd gains yards for the rebels. (File photo by Ariel Cobbert)
The running back position should yield much more competition, as the top back for the past three seasons, Jaylen Walton, has graduated. The two backs with the most experience on the roster for next year are senior Akeem Judd and junior Jordan Wilkins. Judd rushed for 421 yards and three touchdowns on 77 carries last season, while Wilkins went for 379 yards and four touchdowns on 72 carries. Judd and Wilkins offer a lot more power than Walton did and should improve with an increase in carries.
With Walton gone, the Rebels will need a speedier back to complement the power of Judd and Wilkins, which is exactly where redshirt freshman Eric Swinney comes in. Swinney would’ve seen time last season had he not had to redshirt due to injury and should get a chance to make up for lost time this season. Swinney’s speed and elusiveness adds another dynamic to the Rebels’ backfield, and he has also been adding strength to his frame and looks to be a complete back. While Judd and Wilkins have the advantage in the backfield right now, don’t be surprised if Swinney gets a lot of carries in his first year playing with the Rebels.
Junior Eugene Brazley also adds some speed to the Rebels’ rushing attack, as he has looked great in limited action with Ole Miss, running for 222 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries last season. Four-star freshman D’Vaughn Pennamon also has a chance to earn some early carries but could be a candidate to redshirt.
