With Tony Conner at the huskie spot, the position is a weapon for Ole Miss, giving the landshark defense a way to match up well against tight ends and multiple receivers in passing situations while still remaining committed in run defense. When Conner went out for the season with a knee injury last year, the Rebels had to scramble to find someone to take his spot, but no one could really match the production of the former All-SEC second team member.
Now, Conner is still working his way back from the knee injury but hopes to be back for the Rebels opener against Florida State.
“I’m just still continuing to build strength in it and just continuing to work with (Head Athletic Trainer Pat Jernigan) and his training staff each and every day,” Conner said.
Conner thinks his play will also improve as his mindset on the injury changes.
“Yesterday I went out, it bothered me some, I think cause I was thinking about it, and today I went out and had a great practice day because I want even thinking about it,” Conner said.
Head Coach Hugh Freeze broke down what he’d seen from Conner so far in practice.
“I haven’t watched today’s film, but my instructions to the coaches are get him to the bus,” Freeze said. “He knows our scheme. He’s one of our better football players, and I asked him last night how he felt. He said he felt great after the first practice. I haven’t seen him after today, but I know in the perimeter drill he caught my eye a couple times, being normal, and that’s exciting for us.
Conner said he especially notices the improvement in his rehab when he backpedals and breaks on the ball. For now, Conner just wants to make an impact any way he can.
“I’m doing everything I can to stay out there on the field, do whatever I can each and every play,” Conner said. “The coaches tell me all the time, if it feels like you can’t go, just let them know.”
Conner has been able to spin his injury into a positive, and doesn’t think he will lose any of the physicality that made him a terror for opposing offenses in his first three years with the team.
“I think it really helped me out a lot because before I had this injury, I was in the weight room, I was strong but I wasn’t as strong as I think I should be or the coaches think I should be,” Conner said. “I’ve gotten a whole lot stronger, so I think my physicality will still be there.”
Along with his rehab, Conner has also been focusing on the improvements he can make to his game.
“I’ve been working on coverage, working with man coverage, out one-on-one,” Conner said. “I’m getting more confident each and every day, just continuing to work with this great group of receivers we have.”
