David is a junior broadcast major in the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at Ole Miss.
dlcollie@go.olemiss.edu
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Football season has come and gone and all attention is on recruiting and National Signing Day quickly approaching Feb. 6. But what about the guys already on the roster that will be back at it again next fall?
Let’s take a look at what the depth chart will look like next season without the new freshman:
Quarterback
Bo Wallace will undoubtedly be the leader under center, but with Wallace resting his surgically repaired shoulder during the spring, it will give Barry Brunetti and Maikhail Miller an opportunity to make up some ground at the position.
Depending on how Miller and any freshman does during fall camp, Brunetti could be found at running back next fall.
1. Bo Wallace
2. Barry Brunetti
Running Back
This seems to be the one of the deepest position for the Rebels. Jeff Scott is the leading returner, while Jaylen Walton and I’Tavius Mathers will have an entire offseason in the weight room and film room to improve their play in 2013.
If Nick Parker continues to mold his body in the offseason like he did last year, he could enter into the mix at running back as well.
1. Jeff Scott
2a. Jaylen Walton
2b. I’Tavius Mathers
Wide Receiver
If there’s any position where Hugh Freeze doesn’t have to worry, it’s wide receiver. The Rebels have a lot of talent at the position, led by Donte Moncrief. Vince Sanders and Ja-Mes Logan also round up the top of the rotation.
Philander Moore and Korvic Neat will be looking to get more engaged in the offense in their senior seasons, while Collins Moore will be a key returning piece after missing most of 2012 with a shoulder injury.
Cody Core is another guy that could move into the rotation if he doesn’t end up changing positions.
Outside Receivers:
1. Donte Moncrief
2. Vince Sanders
Slot Receivers:
1. Ja-Mes Logan
2. Collins Moore
Tight Ends
This is the area of need for Ole Miss on offense with both starters – Ferbia Allen and Jamal Mosley – gone.
John Youngblood will get the majority of reps in spring drills, but there’s a lot of work to be done the provide depth at tight end.
1. John Youngblood
2. Dylan Dyer
Offensive Line
Ole Miss only losses one starter on the offensive line in A.J. Hawkins, but it’s still a big area of concern for the Rebel offense.
At tackle, Pierce Burton and Emmanuel McCray were solid, but the Rebels need depth.
Aaron Morris is the lone returner at guard, and he’s the most gifted lineman on the team. Justin Bell and Jared Duke will battle at the other guard position.
Evan Swindall returns at center, but Ben Still will have a year under him and could challenge for playing time.
Left Tackle
1. Emmanuel McCray
2. Derrick Wilson
Left Guard
1. Aaron Morris
2. Jared Duke
Center
1. Evan Swindall
2. Ben Still
Right Guard
1. Justin Bell
2. Robert Conyers
Right Tackle
1. Pierce Burton
2. Patrick Junen
Defensive Line
The Rebels lost a lot on the defensive front, but a lot of talent remains as well.
C.J. Johnson leads things at defensive end, and everyone is looking forward to seeing how much of an impact Channing Ward can have after a season in the weight room.
Issac Gross will lead things at defensive tackle, while Bryon Bennett will also be a big body in the middle of the defense.
Defensive End
1. C.J. Johnson
2. Channing Ward
3. Cameron Whigham
4. Carlos Thompson
Defensive Tackle
1. Issac Gross
2. Bryon Bennett
3. Carlton Martin
4. Woodrow Hamilton
Linebacker
Ole Miss will return virtually everyone at linebacker with Joel Kight being the only loss from the 2012 team.
In the middle of the defense, Mike Marry will be key, but with the return of D.T. Shackelford, Marry is likely to come off the bench. At Stinger, Denzel Nkemdiche is a shoe-in for the starting job, and with the season he had as a redshirt freshman, there’s no reason to think otherwise.
Mike Hilton looked good playing the Huskie position for the Rebels, and with another year to get better, I expect big things for Hilton.
The next question is if Cody Prewitt slides down to linebacker? If so, where does he fit? I see Prewitt playing behind Nkemdiche at the Stinger spot.
Middle Linebacker
1. D.T. Shackelford
2. Mike Marry
3. Keith Lewis
Stinger
1. Denzel Nkemdiche
2. Cody Prewitt
3. Serderius Bryant
Huskie
1. Mike Hilton
2. Brishen Mathews
Cornerback
As it seems to be each year, Ole Miss will have some question marks to have a deep pool at corner.
Charles Sawyer will be the leading returner, while Senquez Golson will hope to improve off a good sophomore year to be an impact player for the Rebels.
1. Charles Sawyer
2. Senquez Golson
3. Dehendret Collins
4. Quintavius Burdette
5. Louis Covington
Safety
With Prewitt possibly making a move to linebacker, Ole Miss will have to fill some holes.
At Rover, Trae Elston showed sparks of being a big playmaker in his debut season, and Chief Brown made some plays when he got in the game as well.
1. Trae Elston
2. Chief Brown
3. Frank Crawford
Specialists
Despite losing place kicker Bryson Rose, Ole Miss’ special teams should be in good hands in 2013 with Andrew Ritter and Tyler Campbell both being redshirted.
Place Kicker
1. Andrew Ritter
2. Nathan Noble
Punter
1. Tyler Campbell
Kickoff
1. Andrew Ritter
2. Nathan Noble
Holder
1. Chris Conley
2. Robert Ratliff
Long Snapper
1. Will Denny
2. Will Few
Kick Return
1. Jaylen Walton
2. Carlos Davis
Punt Returner
1. Jeff Scott
2. Korvic Neat
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