Mississippi head coach Hugh Freeze watches football practice last season. (File Photo | Cady Herring)
Even though the weather has been cold and damp in Oxford lately, the Ole Miss football team began spring practice Tuesday, preparing early for the 2015 campaign.
The 2015 season marks the beginning of year four under head coach Hugh Freeze, where expectations will be even higher after a New Years Six bowl game appearance, finishing 9-4 overall for the season.
There is a lot to be excited about for the 2015 season, especially with new faces entering the lineup for the Rebels. Freeze met with the media Tuesday afternoon and was happy to be back and ready to return to work.
“I’m excited about another spring and getting ready for year four. I like what I see from our staff and our kids walking around the building right now. I think that there is an excitement,” Freeze said. “I feel like, for me, I might be more excited about this spring than some in the past. I know for me, I want to be a better teacher, coach, motivator, and that is what I have challenged the staff to do.”
The start of spring practice for the Rebels will begin without some key faces on both sides of the ball. Rising senior linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche will miss the start of spring practice, and rising junior wide receiver Laquon Treadwell is expected to be back after spring break after recovering from a leg injury, according to Freeze. Rising junior offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil will not participate in spring practice as he is recovering from a fractured fibula.
Treadwell’s recovery is one of the many key focuses of spring practice, but he should be back next season. His injury is steadily improving.
“I give a lot of credit, first and foremost, to Laquon. He is very determined to bounce back and be better than ever,” Freeze said. “I think his recovery has gone faster than expected because of his attitude and the way he goes about working at it.”
With the departure of former quarterback Bo Wallace, there will be a three-way battle for the signal caller spot. The battle will be between junior college transfer Chad Kelly and redshirt sophomores Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade. The competition for the spot will be evaluated very closely, according to Freeze.
“We are going to be very thorough in our evaluations by charting every single drill that they do. We will look at stats from those. It is going to be a very competitive three-man deal,” Freeze said on the competition. “I like all three. They have studied and prepared. I am anxious to see them get out and compete.”
When asked if there will be a starter named by the end of spring practice at the quarterback position, Freeze said it would have to be clear cut for him, and it probably won’t be.
Filling holes in the defense will be a big issue to address in the spring. A lot of new faces will be plugged in on the defensive side, but there is a lot of talent to go around. It’s a good problem to have for Freeze, but filling the linebacking core and secondary are the key spots to replace.
“I think linebacker is really the area that we need to get settled on. I think our secondary is going to be fine and be good, provided that we stay healthy,” Freeze said. “We can move some people around that can help us. I think we can run there — we have gotten longer there.”
Freeze added that he will explore senior C.J. Johnson moving from defensive end to middle linebacker. Freeze is confident in the ability of Johnson and his ability to run and make tackles like a middle linebacker can do. He could very well move back to the line, but middle linebacker is a spot where Freeze will explore with Johnson.
With the departures of I’Tavius Mathers and Mark Dodson, the running back position has some gaps in it. The running game averaged 155.5 yards per game last season, which ranked 75th in the nation, which is considered middle of the pack. Senior Jaylen Walton is expected to receive most of the carries, but carries will vary in the spring.
“It depends on what the defense does on a given play. We are going to rotate guys and keep them fresh. If a guy separates himself, then that will be discussed,” Freeze said. “We are excited about Eric Swinney joining us. I think it depends on the game, really. This spring we will see.”
Freeze ended his press conference by explaining his main goals for spring practices.
“The run game is definitely an emphasis. I wish we had all of the O-lineman, but we are putting an emphasis on that,” Freeze said. “We have changed a few things that we think are going to help us.”
