By Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com
Video by Talbert Toole
The countdown to the 2019 kickoff for the Ole Miss Rebels is now underway after the football team opened spring practice Tuesday afternoon.
Prior to spring drills getting underway, head coach Matt Luke met with local members of the media to discuss his excitement.
This season the Rebels have new faces on both sides of the ball. The team is getting a fresh start with the installation of a new offensive and defensive plan through newly-hired defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre and offensive coordinator Rich Rodriquez.
“It’s exciting to get a new, fresh start,” Luke said. “I think the guys are excited about learning the systems.”
Coach Rodriquez is known for the quarterback run with systems that showcase talented passers and receivers.
“He’ll bring to the offense and a run-first to set up the play-action mentality,” Luke said. “A lot of it will be predicated on Matt Corral and what he does.”
The Rebels are losing some talented wide receivers to the NFL including A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf. Luke said they are turning the leadership over to a new crop of receivers.
“Elijah (Moore) made a bunch of plays for us last year so he’ll be back, and the same with Braylon Sanders. Miles (Battle) has got to step up and we’re excited with what we’ve seen from Dontario (Drummond) since he’s been here,” Luke said. “It’s an opportunity for a lot of young guys to step up.”
The Rebels will close spring practice with the annual Grove Bowl. It will broadcast April 6, at 3 p.m. on SEC Network.
