With the Rebels losing talented players in Laquon Tradwell, Jaylen Walton and Cody Core, Ole Miss will look to a new core of skilled players to contribute consistently.
The Rebels return redshirt junior running back Jordan Wilkins in the backfield. Wilkins has played routinely over the previous two seasons. The Cordova, Tennessee, native rushed for 379 yards and four touchdowns during the 2015 season.
Wilkins shared carries in 2015 with senior Akeem Judd. Judd came on to the scene later in the year, rushing for 421 yards and three touchdowns.
With Walton’s production leaving, the team will count on Judd and Wilkins to take the brunt of the load in the backfield.
“We’re a little different, but I think we both can do it all,” Wilkins said. “Judd can catch out of the backfield, block, run outside, inside. We can both do it kind of all.”
While the Rebels did lose a decent number of players at the skill positions, they do return a three-year starter in Evan Engram at tight end.
Engram caught 38 passes last year for 464 yards and two touchdowns, and is a mismatch for safeties and linebackers down the seam.
“I’m real confident in my game and what I bring to the table,” Engram said. “I feel really confident with the ball in my hands, and I feel like good things happen when I have the ball in my hands for our offense.”
Although Engram had a high number of catches from the tight end position, head coach Hugh Freeze said he would likely see more passes come his way in the 2016 season.
“You’ve seen glimpses of his best,” Freeze said. “We need to find ways to get him the football more next year. Hopefully, he’ll stay healthy and have a very solid senior campaign.”
The Rebels return senior Chad Kelly at quarterback for the upcoming season, a luxury that only one SEC West other team, LSU, enjoys.
“Look at all the teams that have won championships, they’ve had super-star quarterbacks. Chad definitely is one of those,” Engram said of Kelly.
Senior Isaac Gross missed the 2015 season with a neck injury. Since Gross was a regular contributor for the Rebels during his first three years in Oxford, the Rebels will count on him to be an anchor for the young defensive line.
“It’s a blessing to be back out here,” Gross said.
Gross said he’s started to take his weight more seriously to hopefully avoid injury in his future. Gross is listed at 240 pounds, easily the smallest defensive tackle on the team.
“I have taken my weight more seriously,” Gross said. “The main thing is just lifting in that weight room.”
The Rebels will practice until spring break, and several members of the football team will depart to Haiti for a mission trip over the break.
– Collin Brister
