NOTES: Ole Miss OL embracing experience + Sanders spins it in renewed Rebel QB race
The Ole Miss Rebel offensive line has a lot of the ingredients that equate to success – experience, depth, confidence and a track record of being able to get the job done more times than not.
“We probably have more experience than any offensive line in the country,” said senior Right Guard Jeremy James on Wednesday, the first day of fall camp for the Rebels. James has started all 36 games the past three seasons.
He continued, “(Center) Caleb (Warren) has over 30 starts, Eli (Acker) has played a lot of football here and our two tackles (Jayden Williams and Micah Pettus) started every game last year as redshirt freshmen.
“I doubt there are any offensive lines with as many starts as we have.”
For now, that looks like the starting five.
Acker is playing left guard next to Williams and Pettus at right tackle.
Pretty salty.
But wait, there’s more.
The Rebels are also pleased with their depth, starting with chameleon Victor Curne, the transfer from Washington. Curne can turn into either guard or either tackle at the drop of the proverbial hat.
Transfer portal RG Quincy McGee has played a lot of football on the collegiate level as well. Redshirt freshman Left Tackle Cam East continues to impress and is currently backing up Williams. Cedric Nicely and Cedric Melton are backing up Pettus for the time being. Veteran Reece McIntyre and freshman Brycen Sanders are both backing up Warren at center.
Sanders is a 2023 signee. He signed last fall, enrolled mid-term and participated in spring practices.
Ole Miss center Caleb Warren
Warren is a converted guard and struggled some last season.
His main issues were errant snaps and getting adjusted to having a nose tackle attack as soon as he snapped the ball. However, Caleb claims those elements have been worked out and he’s finally comfortable at center.
This offensive line (with Acker for Nick Broeker being the only difference) blocked for the leading rusher in the SEC in Quinshon Judkins. Zach Evans was injured for parts of the year. But the one-year transfer still had almost 1,000 yards. QB Jaxson Dart ran for over 600 yards.
The Rebels rushed for over 3,300 a year ago. The offensive line gave up on 16 sacks, which tied with Georgia for lowest in the SEC.
All while running an RPO system that is more difficult to pass block in than a normal system.
“We can cut down on the quarterback sacks,” James said. “And we can do better in limiting quarterback hurries and pressures.”
LIVE! From Ole Miss Media Day: Jared Ivey, Tre Harris, DeShawn Gaddie and Teja Young
Ole Miss football practice in Oxford, Miss. on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. (©Bruce Newman)
THE DAILY OLE MISS QB REPORT
There was one thing that was glaring at Ole Miss’ first fall practice Wednesday.
The Rebels are loaded at the quarterback position.
More specifically, they feature four (yes, FOUR) players who all show the signs of being able to lead their team to victory.
Incumbent starter Jaxson Dart was still working with the number one offense. Dart led the Rebels to an 8-5 record last season and got better and better as the campaign progressed.
On Wednesday he picked up where he left off in spring – in total control. Dart commanded the huddle, he looked unhurried and poised in the pocket and he threw the ball on time to the right receivers.
The signal-caller who looks different, however, is Spencer Sanders.
Sanders, the transfer from Oklahoma State, was here in spring. However, he was limited due to an injured shoulder.
Sanders’ shoulder does not seem to be bothering him in the least now. He’s spinning it, boys and girls, with more authority than any of the other QBs. Sanders’ arm looks to be the strongest on the team right now. His short passes are crisp. His midrange passes are on the line and his deep ball looks as good as any of the other three.
LSU transfer Walker Howard is also throwing with authority and accuracy. Howard seemed to be a bit hesitant in spring, until the Grove Bowl, but that outing before a spring game crowd must have boosted his confidence because there is no hesitation whatsoever in his reads and throws.
Last, but certainly not least, the southpaw, freshman Austin Simmons, can gun it, folks.
He looks to be the tallest of the Ole Miss quarterbacks and his arm is plenty strong. What stuck out to us was his quick release and his decisiveness in his reads. This young man has a bright future, for sure. He’s got the gift, it says here.
The other aspect that is noticeable, even to the novice eye, is that all four have the patience to look over the entire field and go through their reads until they spot someone open. Several times today, it was apparent all of them were going to their second, third and fourth options.
The downside to this situation? There’s only one ball and only one quarterback on the field at a time.
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