As fall camp starts to wind down for the Rebels, there’s still plenty of progress to be made before the Rebels match up with the Florida State Seminoles. Defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said he saw clear improvement in his units over the last week.
“I think we’ve made a lot of progress, especially in the last week,” Wommack said. “[I’m] disappointed in the scrimmage, we didn’t tackle well, and I didn’t think we chased the ball very well, and I think we’ve emphasized those points and guys are starting to fit things better. Some of the young guys are coming along, so we’re making progress.”
Linebacker and safety are two positions of concern on the defense, as plenty of new faces will make up the middle and back of the Rebels’ defense. Wommack said he felt the groups were coming along well now, but any time new safeties were playing prominent roles, there would be plenty of teaching to do.
“I think we’re starting to develop some guys and some depth there,” Wommack said. “[Deontay Anderson] has made huge progress, Myles Hartsfield has come a long way. Hated to lose C.J. Moore last week, but we’re making a lot of progress.”
Moore tore his pectoral muscle and will miss the 2016 season.
Wommack said that the linebackers were improving at fitting their spots in the defense.
“Rommel Mageo and Detric Bing-Dukes are having to learn a whole new scheme in a short period of time, they’ve come a long ways, but not fitting as well as I’d like to,” Wommack said. “Really pleased with [Demarquis] Gates, I think Terry Caldwell has had a great fall camp to this point. Tayler Polk has had a great fall camp to this point. I see Willie Hibbler making a lot of progress, I think he’ll be able to help us in a role this year too.”
The offense will feature some young contributors as well, as freshmen A.J. Brown, Tre Nixon and D.K. Metcalf all have a chance to play in a deep Ole Miss receiving corps.
“I think they’re catching on to the offense pretty well,” quarterback Chad Kelly said about the young receivers. “They have a great attitude and are great team players, so as long as they keep on working hard, keep on doing what they have to do, they’ll be really good in the near future.”
Redshirt freshman Eric Swinney and freshman D’Vaughn Pennamon also have a chance to earn some carries in the Rebel backfield, especially after fellow running back Jordan Wilkins was ruled academically ineligible for the season. Kelly said he was impressed with their size and physicality as well as their improving understanding of the game.
Chad Kelly warms up before practice on Saturday. (Photo by: Ariel Cobbert)
“I think they’re just really, really good players overall,” Kelly said. “They have the speed and they have the athletic ability to make plays.”
Kelly was also excited to be playing with receiver Qunicy Adeboyejo, who looks to take on a bigger role in the offense this season.
“He’s doing great,” Kelly said. “It’s his senior year, it’s his last hurrah, and I know he’s trying to have a great year this year, he had a great year last year too. We just have to build on that, keep working hard and good things will happen.”
