Thursday Notebook: Underclassmen Discuss Upcoming Season, Roles

Jefferson Impresses In Camp

Van Jefferson was one of more critical signees in Hugh Freeze’s 2015 class. Now 18 months later Jefferson figures to be a vital part of Ole Miss’ 2016 offense.

Jefferson, whose father is the wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins, is taking reps at the slot receiver for Ole Miss and is listed as the starter on the depth chart.

“This is what I expected,” Jefferson said. “With all the hard work that I put in I expected to come out of the spring and make a pretty good impact.”

While Jefferson is listed ahead of junior Markell Pack on the depth chart, he said that’s not the type thing he worries himself with.

“We don’t look at it that way. We just go out and compete every day. I don’t get into that. I just go out there and play,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson redshirted during the 2015 season, and while the Tennessee native was reluctant of sitting out a year at first, after a while he embraced what came with the year permanently on the sidelines.

“I didn’t want to come in and redshirt. I wanted to make an instant impact,” Jefferson said. “I waited patiently, and this year I’m ready to go. Talking to my mom and dad…they were just telling me to be patient. This is God’s plan for you. Just wait for it. That’s what I did, and now it’s working for the better.”

Freeze said earlier this week that Jefferson may be the best receiver on the team in coming out of breaks and gaining separation.

“I owe that to my father,” Jefferson said. “With him playing in the NFL and him coaching some high talented guys, I owe that to him. When I was growing up and every day being on the field and him putting me through drills and everything, I owe that to him. It’s just something that God blessed me with.”

With Jefferson’s dad in the NFL, he said that he watches former LSU Tiger and current Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry to stay on top of his game.

Jefferson said that he looks forward going up against guys in Ole Miss’ secondary because of the competition level they provide.

“I like to go against all of them. It’s going to make me get better,” Jefferson said.

Evans Ready To Embrace Role

Victory Evans had a specific role last year: provide depth and fill in roles for guys that found themselves injured.

A year later Evans will be relied upon to do much more. Ole Miss lost Channing Ward after the 2015 season and Fadol Brown is currently nursing a foot injury he sustained last season.

“Last year I had a minor role, where due to some injuries I had to come in and take up some minutes for some other guys,” Evans said. “I ended playing a lot of minutes in earlier games like Alabama. Now, I just have to step into a bigger role.”

Evans redshirted during the 2014 season and sat behind Brown and junior defensive end Marquis Haynes during the 2015 season. Evans feels that now he’s more comfortable with the defense.

“Everybody during their freshman year is just running around trying to fit into the system,” Evans said. “ I feel like after two years I’ve learned the playbook fully and now I have to take advantage of that.”

Evans said that his knowledge of the playbook has helped in the game slowing down for him.

Evans, a former track athlete in high school, came to Ole Miss at 205 pounds but has put on 40 pounds since his arrival while keeping his speed that provides him an advantage at the defensive end.

Evans is currently behind Haynes on the depth chart, but with Ole Miss’ rotation of defensive linemen, the Texas native could see a number of snaps for the Rebels this season.

Evans insinuated that he and Haynes get after each other during practice, making each better.

“At the end of the day if you have two defensive ends going to get each other, nobody can stop you,” Evans said.

Julius Prepares For Corner, Punt Returner.

Jalen Julius arrived in the 2014 class as an athlete without a set position. Two years later, the Florida native has found his position at cornerback and possibly as the punt returner.

“It’s my second year fully at (the) corner so I feel more comfortable with my technique,” Julius said after Thursday’s practice.

Julius said with the upperclassmen Tony Bridges and Kendarius Webster at cornerback, he feels he needs to impress this season to have a role as a starter next year.

“Whenever I get in they’ve taught me enough so that I’m comfortable and can make plays,” Julius said. Julius said that the toughest part about playing corner is not guessing.

“If you guess, you can give up big plays,” Julius said.

Julius redshirted during the 2015 season, but he feels that it really helped him on the field.

“I realized I had to get stronger and focus on my technique,” Julius said.

Julius is in the running to return punts for Ole Miss. The Rebels have struggled to find consistency in that area the previous seasons.

“I feel comfortable in that because I’m a playmaker,” Julius said. “If they kick it to me, hopefully, I’m going to score. “

Collin Brister is a staff writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at collin.brister@hottytoddy.com.

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