Mississippi linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche (4) attempts to block a pass by Vanderbilt quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013. Mississippi won 39-35. (Photo/Thomas Graning)
The Ole Miss linebacking core will look much different than last year’s group. With three seniors from last year’s team having graduated, new players will have to step up and try to keep the Ole Miss defense strong.
The biggest question is who will step up to fill the void left at middle linebacker after the graduation of two-time Chucky Mullins Courage Award recipient Deterrian Shackleford.
Senior C.J. Johnson was moved to middle linebacker in the spring to add depth at the position and could be the new starter. Johnson spent the last three seasons at defensive end after originally playing linebacker and being moved to end midway through his freshman year. Johnson had 38 tackles, including eight for loss and four sacks, but it remains to be seen whether he can make a smooth transition back to linebacker.
Also eyeing for the middle linebacker spot will be senior Christian Russell, who was the primary backup last year and saw a lot of time against quicker, more pass-oriented offenses. Russell had 23 tackles last year in his first season with the Rebels after transferring from junior college. Regardless of who becomes the starter, Johnson and Russell should routinely rotate at the spot and see plenty of playing time.
The inside linebacker spot could also see some help from freshman Shawn Curtis. Curtis was a late addition to the 2015 recruiting class, but has the size at 6’3”, 240 pounds, to make an impact right away. Curtis could see some time as a backup and a reserve next season, and if Russell or Johnson should go down with an injury, Curtis could be the next man up.
The outside linebacker position has to replace two very effective players who graduated last year. Serdarius Bryant was one of the top tacklers on the team for each of his four seasons at Ole Miss, finishing his career with 232 total tackles. Keith Lewis also graduated after playing in every game and starting four en route to getting 49 tackles on the season and an interception last season.
The good news is the team does return senior Denzel Nkemdiche. Nkemdiche was a freshman All-American in 2012 when he led the team with 82 tackles, 13 being for loss, and added three interceptions and four forced fumbles. Nkemdiche had some injury struggles the following two years, including a fractured ankle this season. If Nkemdiche is healthy this season, he should step into the starting role and the Rebels shouldn’t miss a beat.
Ole Miss also added junior college linebacker Terry Caldwell in the 2015 signing class. Caldwell is a speedy linebacker with good size at 6’1”, 216 pounds, but will need some time to get acclimated to the Ole Miss system. If Caldwell can learn the ins and outs of the Ole Miss defense, he should be able to rotate in at outside linebacker and use his speed to help on special teams.
The Rebels also have Tayler Polk, Ray Ray Smith, Demarquis Gates and Temario Strong to add depth at linebacker and contribute at special teams.
Overall, it will be hard for the new group at linebacker to follow up the great performance from last year’s group, but there’s still plenty of talent at both positions and the chance for some newer players to make a big impact on the Ole Miss defense.
