Ole Miss wide receiver Jalen Knox preparing for coming-out party in 2023

All athletes prepare for upcoming contests/seasons, but the preparation of Jalen Knox, Ole Miss senior wide receiver, may go beyond the normal.

To coin an old phrase, Knox is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for a big final collegiate campaign.

“I’m working on the jugs machine a lot and watching a lot of film of cornerbacks in our conference and cornerbacks in general in order to try to detect their tendencies,” Knox said. “Working on my speed and strength, of course. And I’m doing extra work on my releases.”

A full slate of preparation, for sure.

Why the seemingly unusual workload?

“I have been injured ever since I have been here, it seems like, and I finally got healthy last spring,” he continued. “This is my last shot and I want to make it count.”

Knox proved himself at Missouri before transferring to Ole Miss.

He caught over 50 balls his final two years for the Tigers. Unfortunately, things did not pan out his first two years as a Rebel when he stayed injured most of the time.

Last spring, however, he showed why WR Coach Derrick Nix and the coaches have stuck with him through the hard times.

He emerged as one of the top receivers on the team.

“I believe I can do it all,” said Kox, a 6-0 205-pounder. “I can block, get open, I’m versatile (and) I can run reverses. I’ll do anything asked of me and get the job done.

“I’m not being cocky, I just believe in myself. I think I proved in spring that when I am healthy I can play football at a high level. I have played at a high level before and I intend to do that again this year.”

Ole Miss wide receiver Jalen Knox

Jalen struggled with the injuries that held him out of action.

“It’s very frustrating. As a competitor, you always want to be on the field performing and helping your team and teammates,” Knox added. “It’s really hard not to be able to help and it’s a challenge to keep from being depressed.”

Knox and transfer Cornerback Zamari Walton locked horns all spring in a lot of man-to-man situations. Knox feels they both benefitted from the competition.

“He’s good and I’m good. He’d win one and I’d win one. It was great for both of us,” he proclaimed.

Jalen not only has confidence in himself, but he has extreme confidence in the wide receiver room.

“From top to bottom, I have never been around a more talented room of wideouts. This is going to be a great year for us,” he assessed.

Jalen is a walkon, but he is the recipient of an NIL contract with The Grove Collective that is paying for his school and some.

“It is such a relief to have my school paid for,” he noted. “I am very thankful to The Grove Collective and appreciate the fans who participate. This means the world to me.”

Jalen Knox is anticipating a coming out party this season.

He’s certainly prepared for big things.

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