After going from week to week hoping they had enough players to make it through each game last season, the Ole Miss secondary enters the 2013 season with a stable of players looking to solidify the Rebel defense.
In Ole Miss’ 4-2-5 defense, there are plenty of opportunities for players to test the waters at different positions, but probably the most difficult and critical spot is at huskie.
Sophomore Mike Hilton ended his freshman campaign as the starter at huskie. Heading into fall camp, Hilton will look to improve on his play from last year, which saw him rack up 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Backing up Hilton will be senior Brishen Matthews, who has struggled to play extensive minutes due to injuries and mistakes in pass protection. Incoming freshman Antonio Conner will also be looking to get on the field at huskie. Conner, a five-star high school prospect, was rated the No. 2 safety in the country by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com. Conner could move back and play safety for Ole Miss, but his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame makes him a prime candidate for the hybrid safety/linebacker role.
At corner, the Rebels enter August with senior Charles Sawyer and junior Senquez Golson as the two starters. Sawyer was fourth on the team with 63 total tackles last season. He also had an interception and eight pass breakups. Golson took a big step forward in 2012, tallying 36 total tackles and three interceptions, which was tied for the team lead.
Senior Dehendret Collins is the next most experienced corner, and his progression will be pivotal for the cornerback rotation. Last season, Collins had 30 tackles and three interceptions.
Junior Nick Brassell will be a huge addition to the Rebel secondary if he can get himself academically eligible for the fall. He showed he can play at this level his freshman year and has all the tools to be an NFL corner.
Sophomore Carlos Davis was moved to corner in the spring and could make an impact this season, but he is suspended for the first six games this year after playing while he was ineligible last fall. Junior Cliff Coleman and sophomore Anthony Standifer will also see action at corner.
Junior Cody Prewitt and sophomore Trae Elston lead Ole Miss at safety. Prewitt was second on the team last year with 80 total tackles, while also racking up five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Elston had 61 total tackles, a sack and six pass breakups.
Sophomore Chief Brown came on strong last year and should take another step forward in 2013. Last season, Brown had 17 total tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Sophomore Quintavius Burdette will also see action at safety.
It remains to be seen how big of an impact the incoming freshmen will make. Conner is probably the only one that will definitely not redshirt, but between Trey Bledsoe, Bobby Hill and David Kamara, someone else will probably play at the bottom of the secondary rotation and on special teams.
Analysis
It’s obvious Ole Miss is in a much better spot entering 2013 than they were in 2012, but there are still depth issues. If last year’s freshmen can take strides in the right direction, the Rebels can put together a solid unit.
I look for Elston, Brown, Golson and Hilton to really become big playmakers for the defense, and Conner will show flashes of the star he will one day become.
Sawyer will be consistent as he has always been, while Prewitt takes even more strides at safety.
If Brassell is eligible, he will give Ole Miss a huge boost, but even if he doesn’t make it, they will be OK at corner.
It also remains to be seen what other position changes could come before the season starts. Junior college transfer Quadarias Mireles could get another look at corner if he doesn’t progress up the depth chart at wide receiver, and incoming freshman Eugene Brazley is another candidate to shift over to the defensive side of the ball to get on the field quicker.
Things are still a work in process, and they will need a few more signing classes to get where they want to be. However, head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff are well on their way to building a good SEC secondary.
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