Practice Report: Backup quarterbacks have done good work per Ole Miss OC Charlie Weis, Jr.

There’s not a Rebel anywhere who believes anyone but senior Jaxson Dart should be the Ole Miss quarterback for the promising 2024 season.

But what about the backups?

Well, let’s take a look.

Most likely the number two QB, for now, would be sophomore Walker Howard, who is in an intense battle with redshirt freshman Austin Simmons for the second slot.

True freshman AJ Maddox is probably fourth on the quarterback totem pole, but he’s got a lot of talent as well.

To say the Ole Miss quarterback room is stacked would be an understatement. The only drawback is the lack of game experience from the top backups – there is none.

Ole Miss offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Charlie Weis, Jr. know how blessed he is to have the QB roster the Rebels have to work with.

“We have a great competition going on there,” said Weis. “It’s great seeing all three of those guys going after it. All three have slightly different skill sets. All three have things they do slightly different and slightly better than the others.

“One might be better with certain throws, one might be a little better athlete, one might operate the system a little better. They all bring a different skill set to the table.”

Weis said Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin structures practices so all the players get a lot of reps so the coaches can make proper evaluations.

“Coach Kiffin does a great job with that. Due to how he designs practices, we can get a ton of information on every kid out there and it’s no different with the quarterbacks,” Charlie continued. “We can watch all the practice tape, watch the results of the scrimmages, watch how each player reacts in live settings and then we can make our final evaluations.”

Howard has had more time in the system, so it’s not surprising that he would be a little bit further along than the other two in the operation of the offense. He also has a quality arm and can make any throw that is required of him. At 6-1, he’s shorter than the other two, but that does not seem to hinder him in live action. Walker also has good mobility and is not shy about running the ball when the field opens up.

Simmons, at 6-4, has a height advantage and his arm is probably the strongest on the team. He is also a very good athlete who can run the football when that’s called for. He has special arm talent and can make all the throws.

Our information on Maddox is limited but he certainly makes a good first impression. At 6-2, the same height as Dart, but he needs to fill out. He’s currently 175 pounds, the lightest of all the quarterbacks, but that’s not a big deal for a true freshman. Give him a year with S&C coach Nick Savage and he will be a different looking athlete.

The Rebels are blessed at quarterback and Weis couldn’t be happier about it.

Monday’s practice following Saturday’s scrimmage didn’t add too much to the black jersey (no contact) list. TE Hudson Wolfe and cornerback Brandon Turnage were the only new additions and our understanding is that neither are serious issues.

WR Juice Wells, wide receiver Jordan Watkins, defensive end Princely Umanmielen, defensive end Kam Franklin, linebacker Pooh Paul, corner Jarrell Stinson, wide receiver Jordan Smart and DE DeeJay Holmes, Jr. are still in black.

Watkins, Paul, Franklin and Holmes are all going through non-contact drills. Paul and Franklin are coming off concussion protocol. Cornerback Trey Amos has been in black for over a week, but was out of black Monday. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright was in black some of last week but was out of black today.

Sophomore Preston Cushman has been one of the pleasant surprises this fall camp. He’s finally healthy, he has put on some good weight and is over 300 pounds now, and he has been moved from guard to right tackle, where he seems to be flourishing.

Monday, Cushman was working with what looked like the first team OL with left tackle Diego Pounds, left guard Nate Kalepo, center Gerquan Scott, right guard Julius Buelow and Cushman.

Don’t sleep on junior running back Matt Jones, Even though he is short (5-7) he is a 200-pounder with a lot of savvy, quickness, speed and instincts. Even though Ulysess Bentley IV, Henry Parrish, Jr. and Rashad Amos are most likely ahead of him on the depth chart, we’ve been told Matt is going to get playing time.

Recent roster addition wide receiver Micah Davis seems to have fit right into the wide receiver room seamlessly. He looks to have good quickness, speed and quality hands.

The Deion Smith saga continues with the talented wideout not at practice Monday, but a little bird told us they thought he had a real shot at being declared eligible later this afternoon. Even if it’s not today, our sources in the Manning Center remain very confident his eligibility ruling will be positive and will be “soon.”

The media will get its next practice viewing tomorrow late afternoon around 6 p.m.

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