OLE MISS

Ole Miss returns most of its offense from a team that put up 35 ppg a season ago. They are led by Jaxson Dart who will be in his third year of the system. He has gotten better every year and will not be short on weapons. They lose all-American running back Quinshon Judkins. He will be tough to replace but they will do it by committee. Ulysses Bentley is an explosive back that averaged 5.7 ypc. They brought in several other transfers to improve the depth. Rashad Amos from Miami Ohio had over 1,000 yards and is a 235 lb. back. Logan Diggs comes in from LSU and is one of the more underrated backs who’s averaged over 5 yards per carry the past two seasons. Parrish spent the past two seasons in Miami but spent the first two at Ole Miss. At wide receiver, they return Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins and bring in one of our favorite prospects Antwane Wells from South Carolina. Caden Prieskorn earned 2nd team all-sec tight end and brought in Virginia Tech’s athletic tight end, Dequan Wright. The offensive line has plenty of experience but was not the strength of last year's team. They gave up more sacks in 2023 than in 2022 and their yard per rush dropped from 5.4 to 4.3. They do bring in transfers Nate Kalepo who started all 15 games for Washington last season and left tackle Diego Pounds who started 9 games at North Carolina.  

Ole Miss had its best defense under Lane Kiffin giving up 22.5 points per game. Their biggest loss will be Cedric Johnson but they landed Florida transfer Princely Umanmielene. They also added former #1 recruit Walter Nolen and return Jared Ivey and JJ Pegues. Linebacker loses Jeremiah Jean Baptiste and Ashanti Cistrunk but returns Khari Coleman and Suntarine Perkins. Perkins was their top recruit in 2023 and showed flashes as a true freshman. They also brought in Chris Paul from Arkansas. The secondary loses Deantre Prince and Daijahn Anthony but it is a unit that could be better. They brought in Yam Banks who had 6 int in 2022 for South Alabama. At cornerback, they brought in Isaiah Hamilton 11 career interceptions, and Trey Amos who had a 77.5 PFF coverage grade at Alabama a season ago. They return starting safeties Trey Washington and John Saunders. They will have depth in the secondary Key Lawrence (Oklahoma) Jadon Canady (Tulane) Brandon Turnage (Tennessee) and Indiana’s 2nd leading tackler Louis Moore.

 Ole Miss has a chance to put together a special year. The two losses in 2023 came from Alabama and Georgia. They face Georgia and LSU but have a favorable schedule for the most part. I expect an all-America-type season from Jaxson Dart and with the additions Pete Golden added on defense I expect the defense to be improved as well. They have a good chance of finishing 2nd in the SEC conference this season.