Daniels: Rebels Two Deep Against Memphis

Ole Miss senior Evan Engram snags the reception and beats the tackle from Alabama’s Ronnie Harrison at Vaught-Hemmingway stadium Saturday during the Ole Miss v Alabama game.

Note: Chad Kelly was lights out last Saturday against Georgia as he went 18/24 for 282 yards and three total touchdowns through three quarters of play. Kelly threw a touchdown in his 17th consecutive game which broke Eli Manning’s record of 16. Kelly also passed Archie Manning to move to sixth on the all-time Ole Miss total yardage list with 5,901. He also moved into a tie for fourth in school history with 43 career touchdown passes and moved into fourth with 53 career total touchdowns.

Running Back
1. Akeem Judd
2. D’Vaughn Pennamon

Note: As a team, the Rebels ran for 180 yards in their win. D’Vaughn Pennamon ran in his first career touchdown as he had 6 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. Akeem Judd and Pennamon should see another balanced split between them for carries.

Wide Receiver
1. Quincy Adeboyejo
2. Derrick Jones

Note: Memphis does have a couple of seniors starting at corner back. We will most likely face 5’11 corner Arthur Maulet. With Adeboyejo’s height we could see many fade and vertical routes if Memphis is showing man-to-man.

Wide Receiver
1. Damore’ea Stringfellow
2. DaMarkus Lodge

Note: Damore’ea Stringfellow is yet to have the big game that I believe he is going to have. There is no better opponent to have a big one against than this one where the points should be flying. Last week, DaMarkus Lodge also caught two passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Slot Receiver
Van Jefferson
Markell Pack

Note: So far, Van Jefferson has been a guy that is always around the football. Last week, Jefferson caught two for 20 yards while he ran it three times for 30 yards. We also saw him at the punt returner. Expect more of that this week to try and keep the Tiger defense on their heels.

Tight End
1. Evan Engram
2. Taz Zettergren

Note: Evan Engram has undoubtedly been Kelly’s top target this year and it’s because the way he matches up with defenders. He’s a tight end that can run like a receiver with still that tight end frame. Engram caught six for 95 yards and a touchdown. A bold prediction from me is that he will catch for over 100 yards and at least eight catches this week.

Left Tackle
1. Rod Taylor
2. Greg Little

Note: An offensive line that raised questions earlier in the year, looked much improved last week giving up just one sack. Rod Taylor and Greg Little have to continue to give their contributions to try and fill Tunsil’s position.

Left Guard
1. Javon Patterson
2. Tyler Putman

Note: The big body of Javon Patterson has to continue to keep those gaps plugged up in the passing game and give our backs some room in the running game.

Center
1. Robert Conyers
2. Jacob Feeley

Note: Robert Conyers has really stepped up to provide better protections in the pass game and running game as we saw last week. The offensive line only gave up one sack and the Rebels ran for 180 yards.

Right Guard
1. Jordan Sims
2. Daronte Bouldin

Note: Jordan Sims won SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week this past week which is a scary thing for other teams to see. If Sims is playing like he did last week, the Rebel offensive line will be one of the top in the conference.

Right Tackle
1. Sean Rawlings
2. Alex Givens

Note: Sean Rawlings got another start last weekend, expect him to get the nod this week as well after he was a big part of the o-line giving up just one sack.

Defensive End
1. John Youngblood
2. Fadol Brown

Note: Last time the Rebels played Memphis at home, the Rebels broke out the powder blue helmets in honor of Chucky Mullins. I bet the man representing Chucky Mullins in the number 38 jersey along with all of Rebel Nation would love to see the debut of some powder blue uniforms.

Defensive Tackle
1. Breeland Speaks
2. Benito Jones

Note: Breeland Speaks has totaled for 14 tackles this season and against the Tigers, he will have to be quick this week to get into the backfield.

Nose Tackle
1. D.J. Jones
2. Isaac Gross

Note: Expect Isaac Gross to get a lot of playing time this week as we are going to need the quickness against a fast and furious Memphis offense. The defense will have to keep fresh bodies on the field.

Defensive End
1. Marquis Haynes
2. Victor Evans

Note: The sack leader from the past two seasons is on a good pace so far this season as he has already recorded two sacks. I think he has a high chance of getting into the backfield this weekend.

Outside Linebacker
1. DeMarquis Gates
2. Terry Caldwell

Note: DeMarquis Gates is leading the Rebels’ defense so far. He has totaled up for 30 tackles and two sacks. He and Terry Caldwell will both see plenty of playing time.

Middle Linebacker
1. Rommel Mageo
2. Detric Bing-Dukes

Note: Rommel Mageo has continued to grow into that starting role at middle linebacker and this is a good game to give him a go at middle linebacker. Last week, Detric Bing-Dukes got the start against his former team but he will serves as the strong backup this weekend.

Nickel
1. Tony Connor
2. A.J. Moore

Note: The Rebels got their first interception last weekend against Georgia and it was a pick six by Derrick Jones. I think that Tony Connor could have a big day against Memphis including an interception to boost his season.

Cornerback
1. Carlos Davis
2. Jaylon Jones

Note: Carlos Davis may have lost his spot at punt returner to Van Jefferson, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a key player. He looks like he will have to be our number one corner against a Memphis offense that threw up 77 points last week.

Cornerback
1. Jalen Julius
2. Tony Bridges

Note: Jalen Julius got the start last weekend over who I thought was going to be our best corner, Tony Bridges. Bridges still saw action against Georgia, but he could be a little banged up.

Free Safety
1. Zedrick Woods
2. C.J. Hampton

Note: Zedrick Woods has been a pleasant surprise to Ole Miss fans with the way he has been playing early this season. The hard hitting safety has a total of 21 tackles. Expect him to be around the football a lot on the defensive side of the ball.

Rover
1. Myles Hartsfield
2. Deontay Anderson

Note: Deontay Anderson had a good game for the Rebels last Saturday. He totaled for four tackles and one of those was for a loss. The quickness of both Hartsfield and Anderson will be important for us when defending the Memphis pass.

Kicker
1. Gary Wunderlich
2. Nathan Noble

Note: Gary Wunderlich got to showcase his leg against Georgia last week as he attempted a 55 yard field goal. He had plenty of leg for it but hooked it off to one side. If Wunderlich is given another chance to hit from deep, expect to see Freeze give him the opportunity.

Punter
1. Will Gleeson
2. Gary Wunderlich

Note: Will Gleeson did an excellent job last weekend as he placed three out of three punts inside the 20. Wunderlich also pinned his one punt inside the 20.

Kickoff Specialist
1. Nathan Noble
2. Gary Wunderlich

Note: Nathan Noble had six out of his eight kicks go into the end zone for a touchback. That’s what we need to continue to see from the NFF Campbell Trophy Semifinalist.

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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