Ole Miss Spring Football Review

The following review is taken from this year's official spring media guide, which includes rosters, bios and stats on all the returning Rebels and incoming signees. Click here to order a copy of the publication.

When looking back at Houston Nutt's first two seasons at the helm of the Ole Miss football program, it's easy to understand why long-time followers of the Rebels just might recall the days when legendary coach Johnny Vaught roamed the sidelines.

After all, Nutt's first two years have produced consecutive nine-win seasons for the first time since 1961-62 and back-to-back January bowl victories for the first time since 1960-61. Those milestones came when Vaught's teams were marching to what was then a national-record 14 consecutive bowl games.

Vaught's Ole Miss squads won six Southeastern Conference titles and a share of three National Championships as the Rebels finished nationally ranked 18 times. Both of Nutt's Ole Miss teams ended the season nationally ranked, 14th in 2008 and 20th in 2009.

In his first season in Oxford, Nutt led one of the greatest turnarounds in school history, reviving a Rebel squad that was coming off four straight losing seasons and a 3-8 campaign with no conference wins in 2007. With a 9-4 record (5-3 in the SEC), it marked the team's best improvement from one season to the next since Vaught's debut in 1947.

Rising as high as No. 4 in the national rankings in 2009, Nutt's Rebels knocked off No. 8 LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas en route to a second straight berth in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, in which Ole Miss prevailed over No. 18 Oklahoma State 21-7.

Preseason Schedule
SEC Media Days	July 23
Newcomers Report	August 6
Varsity Reports	August 7
Meet The Rebels Day	August 21
First Day of Classes	August 23
Season Opener	September 4

When Nutt began his third spring football practice at Ole Miss in March, the 2009 FCA National Coach of the Year admitted he was facing the biggest challenge since taking over the program, as his staff assumed the task of developing an extremely young football team with major holes to fill.

While the Rebels return 47 lettermen from last season, the team lost 27, including eight starters on offense and five on defense, plus one of the best place-kickers in school history.

"We thought the first year would be an enormous challenge, because we didn't win a conference game the previous year," Nutt said. "The youth on this team has made it our biggest challenge. We lost 24 seniors."

Heading into spring, offensive starters to be replaced included quarterback Jevan Snead, running back-wide receiver Dexter McCluster, fullback Andy Hartmann, wide receiver Shay Hodge, tight end Gerald Harris, guards John Jerry and Reid Neely and center Daverin Geralds. Only junior running back Brandon Bolden, junior tackle Bradley Sowell and sophomore tackle Bobby Massie returned to starting positions on offense.

Defensively, the Rebels launched spring drills knowing they were in much better shape on that side of the ball, having lost only end Marcus Tillman, linebacker Patrick Trahan, cornerbacks Marshay Green and Cassius Vaughn and safety Kendrick Lewis. With the return of senior end Kentrell Lockett, senior tackles Jerrell Powe and Lawon Scott, senior linebackers Jonathan Cornell and Allen Walker and senior strong safety Johnny Brown to the starting lineup, the defense is being counted on to be a strong point early this season as the offense continues to develop.

"This spring was a tremendous teaching time for us, especially since the main focus was the entire offense," Nutt said. "With us replacing eight starters, it was a challenge and we started out taking baby steps. It was time for some of our younger players to step up, and I believe they did."

After having earned his degree in December, Snead decided to forgo his senior season to enter the National Football League Draft, leaving Nutt the task of having to replace a two-year starter who became just the second Ole Miss signal-caller to reach 2,000 passing yards in consecutive seasons.

Sophomore Nathan Stanley, who saw limited duty last season, and freshman Raymond Cotton, who was redshirted, took the majority of the snaps during the spring, and Stanley emerged as the potential starter. Cotton's progress was limited due to a sore shoulder, brought on by a tear in the labrum of his right shoulder.

"Nathan had a very good spring and really learned the play book," Nutt said. "He took care of the ball for us and was very accurate. He got us out of a wrong play and then into the right play, so he's ahead.

"Raymond showed signs of just being an excellent quarterback, because he's so strong and fast. He's 6-4, 228, so he is a real physical specimen. He can run the option. He can sprint out. He can do a few things like that to keep teams off balance. He's just got to keep learning and hopefully we can manage his arm. Once (JC transfer) Randall Mackey gets here in the fall, he'll get a good look."

Losing McCluster and Hodge, who accounted for more than 50 percent of the team's 205 pass receptions, opens the door for a mix of veterans and youngsters being called on to fill that void at wide receiver.

"When you lose the first 1,000-yard receiver in Ole Miss history (Hodge), and then lose a guy like Dexter, who was a 1,000-yard rusher and 500-yard receiver, that's 2,500-yards you've got to make up," Nutt said. "We entered the spring with a lot of questions and a lot of unknowns, but we emerged with guys like seniors Lionel Breaux and Markeith Summers, sophomores Jesse Grandy and Melvin Harris and redshirt freshman Ja-Mes Logan stepping up.

"Markeith and Jesse have to be our go-to guys and Lionel is a senior who we expect to show leadership for us. Ja-Mes had an excellent spring and is going to be a guy we are going to count on. Melvin had a good spring and is another receiver that's big and tall (6-6). We need him to step up for us and become more consistent."

While the loss of McCluster was a major blow, the Rebels are still deep when it comes to running back. Bolden, who is quicker and now down to 215 pounds, has the most experience among the returning backs, and junior Enrique Davis had an excellent spring, impressing the coaches with the way he ran "behind his pads and going downhill." Sophomore Rodney Scott also showed he is a tough runner, and sophomore Devin Thomas showed some consistency. Also in the mix are freshman Korvic Neat and junior Derrick Herman, who showed signs that they may be involved in some sort of package.

As for who will be taking over for McCluster in the "Wild Rebel" formation, Nutt quickly mentions Grandy and Herman, a converted defensive back. "We've got those two guys going," he said.

Another priority in the spring was finding a fullback to replace Hartmann. "We're going to really miss Andy, because he was so valuable," Nutt said. "Fullback is a huge responsibility." Sophomores E.J. Epperson and H.R. Greer will enter the fall as the top two fullbacks.

The loss of the dependable Gerald Harris opened up the competition at tight end, and sophomore Ferbia Allen, who has gained 15 pounds and now weighs 245, senior Reggie Hicks and redshirt freshman Z. Mason got strong looks.

After losing starters at center and both guard positions, Nutt still maintains the Rebels must continue to be strong up the middle.

Sophomore A. J. Hawkins and freshman Evan Swindall battled it out all spring at center, with junior Alex Washington, sophomore Josh Tatum, freshman Chris Gill, junior Rishaw Johnson and freshman Michael Brown shooting up the depth chart at the guard spots.

Sowell has the most experience among the returning offensive linemen and will be starting his second season at left tackle after taking over for All-American Michael Oher a year ago. Sowell built on that experience in the spring and was named as the Outstanding Offensive Player, based on his spring practice performance.

While the offensive line struggled in the early stages of spring workouts, Nutt was pleased with the continued improvement the unit made against what is expected to be one of the Southeastern Conference's top defensive lines.

"The reason we got off to a slow start was because we've got the middle that hadn't played. Alex Washington, A.J. Hawkins and Rishaw Johnson played very little and they were going against guys like Jerrell Powe, Lawon Scott and Ted Laurent, so that makes a difference," Nutt said. "They're coming and getting better. They just need a thousand snaps. They've just got to keep working. We got better, but we must come back in the fall and get even better. Bobby Massie played the last six games at right tackle, so that helps us. We feel good about the tackle spots, because those guys have played the most football. We have a lot of holes to fill and a lot of experience that we're missing." Laurent was selected as the Outstanding Defensive Player of spring workouts.

Nutt feels the defensive line will once again be a major strength when the Rebels line up for the 2010 campaign. "Having a good defense gives you a chance every game," he said.

"There's nothing like having Jerrell Powe, Lawon Scott, Ted Laurent and Kentrell Lockett. Those guys are all seniors and have valuable experience. Sophomore Gerald Rivers is coming, and JC transfer Wayne Dorsey made an immediate impact at defensive end, emerging as the starter, while freshmen Cameron Whigham and Mike Thomas provide depth."

Another area on defense where Nutt felt good after spring drills was at linebacker. "You must be strong up the middle and that's where we're the strongest. With that defensive line, and then you add returning starters in Jonathan Cornell and Allen Walker, that gives you some experience there. Those guys have played a lot of football."

Sophomore Joel Kight came out of spring as the third linebacker starter and sophomore D.T. Shackelford is back after logging extensive playing time last season. With Kight, Shackelford, freshman Mike Marry and redshirt freshman Alex Williams, Nutt says he feels pretty good about his two-deep at the linebacker spots.

Heading into spring, Nutt felt that the biggest challenge on defense was having to replace his two starting corners, Green and Vaughn. "Corner is a very difficult position to play and junior Marcus Temple and senior Jeremy McGee have the most experience right now and their fundamentals are getting better."

With mostly youth behind Temple and McGee, redshirt freshman Charles Sawyer excited the coaches as he came on strong in the spring and demonstrated his ball skills while coming up with numerous pass interceptions, including two in the Grove Bowl.

The loss of Lewis, a three-year starter at free safety, was a blow, but JC transfer Damien Jackson had an outstanding spring and enters the fall as the starter, with senior Fon Ingram next in line. Johnny Brown's return at strong safety is a plus and he is being backed up by redshirt freshmen Frank Crawford and Terrell Grant, who moved over from wide receiver late last season.

Special teams play has always been a top priority for Nutt-coached teams, and 2010 will be no exception. With the loss of Green, Grandy is expected to get the nod for kickoff returns and punt returns along with Bolden.

Replacing All-SEC place-kicker Joshua Shene, who became only the second Rebel all- time to lead the team in scoring all four years, remains a major focal point heading into this season. "Joshua's loss was huge," Nutt said. "The guy was so consistent and made some awfully big kicks for us. We miss him."

Sophomore Bryson Rose and junior David Hankins appear in a deadlock as to who will replace Shene as the place-kicker. "Right now, Bryson Rose is a little inconsistent and he's really getting a lot of competition from David Hankins, so that will be interesting," Nutt said.

When it comes to punting, Nutt feels good about the return of sophomore Tyler Campbell, who finished second in the SEC a year ago with a 44.0 average. Sophomore Andrew Ritter is also back to kick off, along with Hankins. Deep-snapper Preston Powers graduated, and senior Wesley Phillips moves into that spot, with senior Richie Contartesi serving as the holder on placements.

When it comes to filling leadership roles, Nutt is counting on Kentrell Lockett, Jerrell Powe, Jonathan Cornell, Allen Walker and Johnny Brown to step forward on defense, while Markeith Summers, Brandon Bolden, Nathan Stanley and Bradley Sowell are offensive players expected to be leaders.

"We had a very good spring," Nutt said. "We still have a long way to go, but you liked their listening skills and how they went about practice. I love this team and I love their personality. This is a good, young listening team. With spring drills now behind us, we want everybody to get a step faster, a little bit smarter and have the best summer of their life, in school and in the weight room."

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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