ANALYSIS: What to make of Ole Miss’ abrupt dismissal of Chris Marshall
Wide receiver Chris Marshall, Ole Miss football hardly knew ye.
In a sudden — if not altogether surprising — move on Saturday, Lane Kiffin issued an official statement announcing Marshall has been dismissed from the program for a violation of team rules. The Rebels pulled Marshall from Texas A&M as a high-profile transfer in the off-season.
Marshall on Christmas Day chose the Rebels over TCU — the College Football Playoff runner-up last season. Marshall is a one-time five-star recruit. He was ranked by On3 as the nation’s No. 3 wide receiver in the 2022 recruiting class.
Marshall was a mid-year enrollee and went through spring football practices. The Rebels wrapped with the annual Grove Bowl spring game in mid-April. As reported by the Ole Miss Spirit at the time, sources indicated Marshall was having trouble adjusting to Ole Miss and Kiffin’s pro mindset both on and off the field.
Saturday’s decision, per sources, was the result of ‘ongoing behavioral issues.’
Marshall emerged as a spring standout in the final weeks of April.
He returned from a week-long injury for the annual Grove Bowl and had four catches for 89 yards. He was one of 14 off-season portal additions for Ole Miss. Among the others was decorated Louisiana Tech wide receiver Tre Harris.
“He’s a freak,” Ole Miss quarterback Walker Howard — another off-season addition, but from LSU — said of Marshall after the Grove Bowl. “It’s pretty nice throwing the ball to him. Making big plays.”
“With Chris being able to come in and perform the way he has in his first spring ever in college (and) being in a new system? It’s not an easy system,” incumbent starting quarterback Jaxson Dart added of Marshall. “Being able to watch him flourish just shows how talented and how invested he is.”
Ole Miss wide receiver Chris Marshall
This is twice now in his still-young college career the immensely-talented Marshall has faced significant disciplinary issues.
Maturity was an issue for Marshall as a Texas A&M true freshman. He ultimately only played in three games and was even suspended. Similar problems followed him to Ole Miss. Marshall had 11 receptions for 108 yards as an Aggie.
Wide receiver has been among the top priorities for Ole Miss in the portal. The Rebels — following an 8-5 campaign — lost, among others, Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath to the NFL Draft. Heath and Mingo last season led the Rebels in receiving yards with 971 and 861, respectively.
Mingo was recently drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Heath signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.
Ole Miss, in response, brought in Marshall and Harris in the first window. They joined a room already featuring veterans Jordan Watkins and Dayton Wade. Watkins, a former transfer from Louisville, had high hopes for Marshall in February.
Other returners who impressed in spring include JJ Henry and Jalen Knox. Knox has been injured for most of his two years at Ole Miss. However, he’s now fully healthy and was arguably the spring’s most improved player.
Knox played in 33 career games in three years at Missouri. He had 77 total catches for 1,031 yards and four touchdowns.
The second window, which opened in March, has closed to new portal entrants.
Ole Miss had nine players jump in, including wide receiver Brandon Buckhaulter. Linebacker Reggie Hughes and cornerback Demarko Williams have since withdrawn.
Marshall’s departure brings clarity to what has been a surprisingly-active Ole Miss pursuit of wide receivers in the second window. Jackson State’s Shane Hooks de-committed from the Rebels just days after very-publicly announcing for them. Sources indicate he’s in search of more lucrative NIL offers.
Another target was BYU wide receiver Kody Epps. Epps, however, has withdrawn.
Stay plugged into the Ole Miss Spirit for the latest on this ongoing story.
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