Hoover, Ala.- On the final day of the 2015 SEC Media Days, Ole Miss was put in the spotlight in year four of the Hugh Freeze era, where expectations have never been higher following a 9-4 season in 2014.
“Our theme this spring was chasing greatness,” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said.
In Freeze’s first three years at the helm, the Rebels have focused on competing passionately for 60 minutes and being all in as a team. Now in year four, Hugh Freeze told his team that he believes they can win a national championship when the season kicks off on September 5 at Vaught Hemingway Stadium against UT Martin.
“This is the first time since Coach Freeze has been here that he addressed the team as a whole that we could win a national championship,” senior linebacker C.J. Johnson said. “Coach told us in a team meeting that if we stay together and healthy, and we continue to make the right decisions and protect the team, then we could win a national championship.”
The Rebels have improved in each season since Freeze’s arrival with seven wins in 2012, eight wins in 2013, and nine wins in 2014.
“In the past, we were just trying to get this thing back on track trying to get to a bowl game, and we’ve done that,” senior defensive back Mike Hilton said. “We know what we are able to do. I feel like with the talented guys we have, something special could happen.”
With several stars from the 2013 recruiting class such as offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, and defenisve back Tony Conner potentially foregoing their senior season to go to the NFL Draft, this season is do or die for the Rebels.
Speaking of Tunsil, the 6’5, 305 pound offensive tackle was a hot subject of chatter at SEC Media Days with his recent controversy regarding a domestic violence arrest involving his stepfather, Lindsey Miller. Questions about Tunsil’s 2013 recruitment have surfaced the Internet, and as a result, the NCAA is looking into alleged violations against Tunsil.
“The process has begun. I know very little about it, to be honest,” Freeze said. “We obviously will fully cooperate with the NCAA and law enforcement process. I’m very confident in the way we do things and what we can control.”
Ole Miss will not only need Tunsil on the field this season, but also their starting wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, who suffered a broken leg in the 35-31 loss to Auburn last season.
“Laquan looks very good,” junior tight end Evan Engram said. “He’s back at full tilt working on his craft at receiver and all the little things. Honestly he looks bigger, stronger, and faster than he did before he got hurt last year. I’m looking forward to him having a big year.”
“All signs point to him being fully recovered,” Freeze said. “I’m anxious to get pads on him and see how responds when the ball’s a little high and in traffic. That kid is extremely determined to make a full recovery, and I think he has.”
Treadwell will need a new quarterback to throw him the pigskin after Bo Wallace graduated. The quarterback battle in fall camp is expected to come down to East Mississippi Community College transfer Chad Kelly and sophomores DeVante Kincade, and Ryan Buchanan. When asked about who the new starting quarterback may be, Freeze did not have a clear answer yet.
“I think all three have earned the right to compete for it,” Freeze said. “I said after the spring I thought Ryan was a little ahead of the other two, but the margin was so small that it certainly could be overcome. I really want to evaluate, give them a fair chance to see who’s the most efficient in leading our offense.”
With seven starters returning from 2014, the defense should should once again be an impressive unit. However, the offense must step up as the Rebels finished last in the SEC in red zone offense last season.
“We’ve got to score points,” Freeze said. “We’ve got to study that and then go study the teams that are really efficient at doing that.”
Freeze also alluded to the running game needing to be improved, as Ole Miss lost transferred running backs Mark Dodson and I’Tavius Mathers. Ole Miss will count on senior Jaylen Walton, junior Akeem Judd, and sophomores Jordan Wilkins and Eugene Brazley to carry the load in the backfield.
“Eliminating negative runs was one of our focuses in spring practice,” Freeze said. “I think we’ve got four quality guys at the running back position that can share the reps. I thought they all had a really nice spring.”
Despite all of the praise about the Rebels, the media picked Ole Miss to finish fifth in the SEC West in their yearly season projections.
“I don’t really care where they pick us,” Johnson said. “When you put the ball down and it’s time to play, we’ll be ready.”
“We obviously play in a conference that is not going backwards, that is very difficult, and every team can beat you and can win the west,” Freeze said. “We want to focus moment by moment, day by day, preparing for the opportunities that come our way, and we believe that, if we can stay healthy and get a break here or there, we will be a factor in who decided the SEC West, and we’re excited about getting it kicked off.
With less than two months away from the start of the season, the Rebels know their identity and their expectations for this season.
“Chasing greatness.”
