Quarterback
1. Chad Kelly
2. Shea Patterson
Note: On Monday, it seemed that Kelly had almost made up his mind who he was going to throw to before the play began. Hence, we saw a lot of throws downfield and three interceptions. This weekend, I’m hopeful that Chad Kelly gets back to looking at all his options before making a throw. He had some spectacular moments and some “first game” moments to improve on.
Running Back
1. Akeem Judd
2. Eugene Brazley
Note: Eric Swinney went down with a tough knee injury on his first carry of his career after missing all of last year. Akeem Judd will be heavily leaned on this weekend in the running department. Judd carried for 44 yards and a touchdown.
Wide Receiver
1. Damore’ea Stringfellow
2. Van Jefferson
Note: Both Stringfellow and Jefferson each caught one of Chad Kelly’s four passing touchdowns on Monday. Damore’ea Stringfellow caught the first touchdown of the season for Ole Miss. Don’t be surprised to see the big bodied receiver targeted early and often in the first half against Wofford.
Wide Receiver
1. Quincy Adeboyejo
2. D.K. Metcalf
Note: Kelly and Quincy Adeboyejo had some potential hookups in the passing game as Adeboyejo was targeted eight times. Adeboyejo had two catches for 40 yards and one catch for 30 yards downfield. Watch Adeboyejo in the quick screens this game for Ole Miss. D.K. Metcalf caught his first pass as a Rebel on Monday and it was for an impressive three yard touchdown. He should get plenty of playing time against the Terriers.
Slot Receiver
1. DaMarkus Lodge
2. A.J. Brown
Note: DaMarkus Lodge came away from that game with no catches on just one target. On the other hand, A.J. Brown caught two passes for 48 yards. Expect to see Lodge, Brown, and Markell Pack all get equal amount of playing time out of the slot position.
Tight End
1. Evan Engram
2. Taz Zettergren
Note: Evan Engram was definitely the man for Kelly Monday night. Engram was targeted 13 times, catching nine of them for 121 yards and a touchdown. Engram had the occasional drop which came up costly for the Rebels against Florida State. Taz Zettergren also connected with Kelly for a 37 yard completion; he will get plenty of time against the FCS competition.
Left Tackle
1. Rod Taylor
2. Greg Little
Note: Rod Taylor looked pretty good in the season opener guarding Kelly’s blindside. Taylor will still stay the starter even with the talented freshman, Greg Little, getting plenty of playing time this Saturday.
Left Guard
1. Javon Patterson
2. Tyler Putman
Note: Javon Patterson is in a key position to help with the running game. He along with the rest of their linemen have to hold their block a second or two longer to give the running game some holes. The Rebels ran for just 67 yards on Monday.
Center
1. Robert Conyers
2. Jacob Feeley
Note: In the middle, Robert Conyers, will be calling the pass protections for the offensive line and he also has to be a leader on the sidelines, pepping this offensive line up. The offensive line allowed Kelly to be sacked five times against Florida State.
Right Guard
1. Jordan Sims
2. Daronte Bouldin
Note: Jordan Sims played a good game on his opening start as he was the one who opened up the big hole for Akeem Judd’s touchdown run.
Right Tackle
1. Sean Rawlings
2. Alex Givens
Note: Alex Givens made his season debut last game for the Rebels. Expect him to get a lot of playing time in this one.
Defensive End
1. John Youngblood
2. Fadol Brown
Note: Last weekend, it was a bit of a struggle for these two men to get in the backfield each having only two tackles. Against this Wofford team, they should have an easier matchup to exhibit their skills.
Defensive Tackle
1. Breeland Speaks
2. Benito Jones
Note: I want to see Breeland Speaks in the backfield almost every play facing an option offense in Wofford, who ran the ball 54 times last week while throwing it just eight. Speaks and Benito Jones are going to be big in plugging up the holes inside so Wofford will have to option it to the outside.
Nose Tackle
1. D.J. Jones
2. Isaac Gross
Note: Isaac Gross was in there for the first time since two seasons ago and he looked great. Gross had three tackles, one for a loss. D.J. Jones also played a good game on the defensive side of the ball racking up four tackles.
Defensive End
1. Marquis Haynes
2. Victor Evans
Note: Marquis Haynes is not going to get a lot of opportunities to get sacks, but he really dominated the Florida State tackles. Facing the option, he needs to stay on assignment and if he rushes like he did last week, we should see plenty of blown up plays for a loss.
Outside Linebacker
1. Terry Caldwell
2. Taylor Polk
Note: Terry Caldwell had a good showing last weekend as he totaled for 10 tackles in the loss. The linebacker position will be very important this weekend. They will be one of the first ones to see if the quarterback hands the ball off or is going to keep it.
Middle Linebacker
1. DeMarquis Gates
2. Rommel Mageo
Note: DeMarquis Gates led the Rebels in sacks last weekend being able to get to Francois two times. The leading tackler a season ago should be ready to pounce on the run heavy offense this week.
Huskie
1. Tony Connor
2. A.J. Moore
Note: Tony Connor has a difficult role because he will probably play more on the run game than staying back in coverage this week. Expect him to be around the football a lot this Saturday.
Cornerback
1. Tony Bridges
2. Jalen Julius
Note: Tony Bridges is going to have to be our top corner from here on out after losing Ken Webster for the season. Bridges got burned a few times on hitch routes by FSU. Look for him to improve and adjust.
Cornerback
1. Carlos Davis
2. Montrell Custis
Note: Filling in for Ken Webster is going to be Carlos Davis. Carlos Davis played a lot after the injury and finished last game with a total of eight tackles. Montrell Custis will be the backup.
Free Safety
1. Zedrick Woods
2. C.J. Hampton
Note: Zedrick Woods got the start last weekend and ended up leading the Rebels in tackles with 11 total. Woods will have to show off the good tackling if anything breaks loose into the secondary.
Rover
1. Myles Hartsfield
2. Deontay Anderson
Note: Myles Hartsfield made the first tackle of the game for Ole Miss and he will be back out there this week at Rover. Hartsfield had five total tackles. The freshman, Deontay Anderson will also see the field a number of times this weekend.
Kicker
1. Gary Wunderlich
2. Nathan Noble
Note: Gary Wunderlich still hasn’t attempted a field goal this year and the Rebel offense is hopeful to keep it like that for this week. If he does need to kick one, he’s got the trusted leg.
Punter
1. Gary Wunderlich
2. Will Gleeson
Note: Gary Wunderlich did get the first punt of the season as he punted it three times for an average of 44 yards. Will Gleeson also got a punt that was 44 yards.
Kickoff Specialist
1. Nathan Noble
2. Gary Wunderlich
Note: Saturday, there is forecasted to be a 9 mph wind coming out of the southwest. Nathan Noble will continue to boot them out of the back of the end zone on Saturday.
Grant Daniels, a student at Oxford High School, is a sports correspondent for HottyToddy.com. Email him at hottytoddynews@gmail.com
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