Daniels: This Week’s ‘Rebels Two Deep’ – Alabama

Ole Miss looks to defeat Alabama for the second straight year. Hottytoddy.com file photo

Starting today, I will begin posting a weekly article dealing with the depth charts for the Ole Miss games for the upcoming weeks. Going into the game at Bryant-Denny stadium in Tuscaloosa, the Rebels will be in a true test for a full 60 minutes. Coach Hugh Freeze and his squad go into the game with a stellar depth chart with more than one key player at every position on the field.

Ole Miss has enough players to feel comfortable to playing the Crimson Tide, and the Rebels’ depth chart seems to be “two deep” going into Alabama. Here is my “Rebels Two Deep” for this week coming up against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Quarterback

1. Chad Kelly
2. DeVante Kincade

Note: DeVante Kincade’s impressive performance on the ground will help decide this. Kincade will get in more than Ryan Buchanan on designed quarterback runs.

Running Back

1. Jaylen Walton
2. Jordan Wilkins

Note: Jaylen Walton has had limited carries in the first two games possibly to save him for this one. The bigger Jordan Wilkins will get a good bit of playing time to keep the offensive running attack either faster or bigger according to the player they go with.

Wide Receiver

1. Laquon Treadwell
2. Damore’ea Stringfellow

Note: Damore’ea Stringfellow will play his first game against conference opponent in the SEC. Stringfellow could play at any of the wide receiver spots including the slot receiver.

Wide Receiver

1. Cody Core
2. Derrick Jones

Note: Cody Core has been a huge part of this offense and should play a big role against Alabama. Derrick Jones beats out DaMarkus Lodge, Collins Moore, Trey Bledsoe, and others for that final receiver spot.

Slot Receiver

1. Quincy Adeboyejo
2. Markell Pack

Note: These are two of the quickest receivers on the team and fit well in the slot receiver role. Pack should get playing time with the possibility of Adeboyejo taking catches out wide a bit as well.

Tight End

1. Evan Engram
2. Jeremy Liggins

Note: Evan Engram has been very quiet in the first two games with just one catch for five yards. Hopefully he will break out in Week 3 against Alabama. Jeremy Liggins will play a bigger role in his designed runs when he is lined up at quarterback. Being such a versatile and athletic player, we could see him as a blocking tight end in the run game against the Alabama defensive line.

Left Tackle

1. Fahn Cooper
2. Christian Morris

Note: As of today, there has been no talk of whether Laremy Tunsil will come off of his suspension yet or not. It would be a shame if one team is not at full force come Saturday. For now, I will keep it how it has been, no Tunsil.

Left Guard

1. Javon Patterson
2. Daronte Bouldin

Note: Aaron Morris has been bugged with his two knee surgeries and is a big question mark for right now. I believe that Freeze will continue to let the freshman get the start.

Center

1. Ben Still
2. Robert Conyers

Note: Hugh Freeze said that Robert Conyers could have played in the second half but he wanted to avoid further injury. Conyers will be good to go in this one, but I believe Ben Still gets the start.

Right Guard

1. Justin Bell
2. Jordan Sims

Note: Justin Bell has been a huge part of this offensive line and if he continues to stay healthy it will help our passing and running game tremendously.

Right Tackle

1. Sean Rawlings
2. Talbot Buys

Note: Sean Rawlings has started both games during Tunsil’s suspension. I believe he will be awarded with the start again against a tough defensive line.

Defensive End

1. Fadal Brown
2. Channing Ward

Note: This defensive line will go up against a challenging offensive line. Fadal Brown will have to win the battle in the trenches to stop the Derrick Henry running game.

Defensive Tackle

1. Robert Nkemdiche
2. Breeland Speaks

Note: We all know the attention that Robert Nkemdiche will bring to this Alabama offensive line. He will play a big key in creating one-on-one matches between the offensive tackles and defensive ends. Breeland Speaks could see some time at both defensive and nose tackle. He led the Rebels with nine tackles vs. Fresno State.

Nose Tackle

1. Woodrow Hamilton
2. D.J. Jones

Note: Woodrow Hamilton got the start last weekend for the injured Isaac Gross; it should not be any different this week.

Defensive End

1. Marquis Haynes
2. John Youngblood

Note: Marquis Haynes led the Rebels in sacks last season. He could have a big game with offensive line focused on Robert Nkemdiche.

Outside Linebacker

1. Denzel Nkemdiche
2. DeMarquis Gates

Note: Denzel Nkemdiche will be a big part of stopping the Alabama rushing attack with Derrick Henry.

Middle Linebacker

1. C.J. Johnson
2. Christian Russell

Note: C.J. Johnson has really developed into the leader of this defense and has gotten a lot of praise from his coaching staff. He could be the one that has to guard the check down routes to Kenyon Drake.

Nickel

1. Tony Connor
2. A.J. Moore

Note: This will be a big game for Tony Connor as he will more than likely have to go up against the 6’6 Alabama tight end, O.J. Howard.

Cornerback

1. Kendarius Webster
2. Tee Shepard

Note: Tee Shepard has been suspended for the first half because of the questionable targeting call against Fresno State. I still believe we will see a lot of Shepard in the second half.

Cornerback

1. Tony Bridges
2. Kailo Moore

Note: With the absence of Amari Cooper and DeAndrew White for Alabama, their receiving corps is not too dangerous. Bridges will most likely guard the 6-1 receiver ArDarius Stewart.

Free Safety

1. Trae Elston
2. Chief Brown

Note: Trae Elston has had a pick six in each of the first two games; he should have another big game against the Alabama passing attack.

Rover

1. Mike Hilton
2. C.J. Moore

Note: Mike Hilton was awarded with the Chucky Mullins Courage Award which comes with changing his jersey number to 38. He is destined for a good game against the Crimson Tide.

Kicker

1. Gary Wunderlich
2. Andy Pappanastos

Note: This game could come down to Wunderlich’s leg. He is yet to kick a game winning field goal in his career. 

Punter

1. Will Gleeson
2. Gary Wunderlich

Note: This could be a field position battle at some point during the game. We have seen some quality punts from Gleeson so far.

Kickoff Specialist

1. Nathan Noble
2. Gary Wunderlich

Note: Nathan Noble has been outstanding playing this role in the first two games of the season.

Grant Daniels, a student at Oxford High School, is sports correspondent for HottyToddy.com. Email him at hottytoddynews@gmail.com