John Youngblood blocks defensive back Carlos Davis (23) during practice in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2014. DM Photo | Cady Herring
When sophomore John Youngblood stepped on to the Ole Miss’s campus, he wasn’t a highly-touted recruit. Ranked as a two-star player, Youngblood wasn’t one of the more talked about prospects in the Rebels 2012 class. He was redshirted his first year, and it was uncertain where Youngblood would play as he has spent time at tight end and defensive end during his career at Ole Miss so far.
After redshirting, Youngblood was eventually moved to defensive end full time for the 2013 season. He played special teams to start but began seeing more and more time at defensive end as the season progressed.
Eventually, injuries thinned the defensive line, and Youngblood started his first game against the Idaho Vandals.
Youngblood said the injuries gave him a great chance to play more, but he’s very happy that the defensive line has been healthier than last year.
“It was definitely a bright side for me,” Youngblood said. “I got to step up and show the coaches that I could step up, but I’m really glad to know that we’re still healthy, and not too many guys have gotten banged up yet.”
Now, in 2014, Youngblood has earned a regular rotation spot on the defensive line and recorded his first career sack against Boise State. Youngblood talked about this rotation that his coaches employ.
“In a sense, it’s almost imperative,” Youngblood said. “If you’re feeling it, you’re feeling it, and we can keep those guys in.”
Youngblood feels the system is more important against certain teams than others based on their offensive philosophies, such as their tempo.
“I feel like in this game, it’ll be a little more key than against a team like Alabama,” Youngblood said of the team’s matchup against Texas A&M.
Youngblood talked more about the differences between the teams and how the defensive line would have to play.
“I feel like the mentality isn’t really different it’s still all the same. Fly around. Be physical. Be fast. Just do your assignments, and play your own plays,” Youngblood said. “Obviously, the kind of plays that Alabama makes and the kind of plays that A&M makes are really different, in the sense that A&M wants to spread you out.
“So it is kind of having to adjust, having to play the run really hard against Alabama and then pretty much just being able to rush the passer (against Texas A&M) because I think they’re about 70 percent pass in their offense,” Youngblood said. “So it is kind of a different mindset, but we’re ready for whatever.”
Youngblood went into more detail about how they hoped to stop the Aggies’ offensive attack, especially freshman quarterback Kenny Hill.
“I feel like if we get in the face of Kenny Hill, and we can disrupt him, with him just having a couple of starts under his belt, maybe get him going just because he knows that we have a great secondary,” Youngblood said. “If our great d-line gets after him, then he knows it’s going to be a long night.”
