Ole Miss opened fall camp on Monday afternoon, and head coach Hugh Freeze said that “rise up” is the motto for the two-week practice session as it prepares to head into its season. Here are some news and notes from what was said on the Rebels’ first day on the field in camp.
- True freshman defensive end Charles Wiley, who was arrested on July 26 on domestic violence charges, is practicing but would not be allowed to play if OIe Miss had a game today according to Freeze.
- Senior OL Jeremy Liggins is being held out of fall camp for what Freeze called “A violation of team standards.” Liggins was expected to compete for the starting job at left tackle heading into camp.
- With Liggins out of camp, here is what the two-deep depth chart on the offensive line looked like on Monday:
LT- Alex Givens
Rod Taylor
LG- Javon Patterson
Tyler Putman
C- Robert Conyers
Jacob Feely
RG- Jordan Sims
Daronte Bouldin
RT- Sean Rawlings
Michael Howard
True freshmen Greg Little and Eli Johnson took third-team snaps.
- Freeze said he was impressed with the incoming freshmen that have made their debuts in camp. “I think this could be our best class from the two days we’ve been out there,” Freeze said. “We’ve had some good classes, but from top to bottom the 2016 looks that way after two days.”
- There is not currently a plan in place regarding a possible redshirt for true freshman quarterback Shea Patterson. Freeze said he would address that once they got into the season but added that they’re going to prepare him to play this year.
- Tony Conner was in practice on Monday with a brace over his right knee. Freeze said he had not watched the film yet, but that Conner looked good in a couple of drills, which encouraged him. Conner tore his meniscus last season and had a couple of procedures done in the offseason.
- Linebacker has been another position of question for the Rebels heading into the year, and they received some help this offseason with the addition of Oregon State transfer Rommel Mageo. The fifth-year senior had 87 tackles for the Beavers last year and is eligible immediately for the Rebels. Freeze called Mageo a “quick learner,” and a “football junkie,” adding that you have to run him out of the facility some days.
- Fadol Brown is out of a walking boot and was moving around on the sidelines, but did not practice on Monday. The senior played in 11 games for Ole Miss last year, making eight starts at defensive end. He is a presumed starter once he gets back onto the field.
- Freeze seemed impressed with some of the young receivers. He noted that A.J. Brown may already be further along than Laquon Treadwell was at the same point in their careers, and said that Van Jefferson might be the best route runner on the team in space.
