Ole Miss Spring Football Outlook

March 28, 2011

The following is a preview of the Rebel football team entering spring drills, which kick off today. Ole Miss spring practices are open to the public, and daily times and locations will be updated on the 2011 Spring Drills link on the right side of the OleMissSports.com football home page.

Ole Miss' first two seasons under Houston Nutt paid dividends not seen in Oxford in a half century. Beginning his Rebel tenure in the 2008 campaign, Nutt directed the program to 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.

His first two seasons saw Nutt tutor 22 Rebels to the NFL ranks. Those departures coupled with key injuries contributed to just the third losing season in Nutt's 13 years as an SEC head coach, as Ole Miss finished with a disappointing 4-8 record in 2010.

One might think spirits would be low in the Rebel Family after a season like that. Think again.

Once the final seconds ticked off the 2010 season, Nutt immediately took steps to put his team back on track. To allow himself more time to devote to other areas of the squad, he strengthened his offensive staff in an impressive way, adding David Lee from the Miami Dolphins as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach and Gunter Brewer from Oklahoma State as wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator. Nutt also addressed a need area with the hire of Keith Burns from K-State to coach the secondary.

"We've got a lot of momentum," Nutt said. " We're looking forward to how these new coaches will work with the players."

Ole Miss' newfound momentum carried over into recruiting and resulted in the most impressive signing class in the history of the state. Mississippi's top five prospects and eight of the top 12 signed with the Red and Blue. The class featured a total of 10 prep All-Americans, including a school-record four U.S. Army All-Americans.

"Signing Day was a tremendous day for Ole Miss," said Nutt. "We have some high school seniors that we feel like can come in and play right away. We got the best athletes in Mississippi. It was an excellent class."

In addition to the 22 heralded freshmen coming this summer, Ole Miss added six mid-year transfers that are joining the team for spring drills and should provide instant impact at positions needing help.

That group joins 47 returning lettermen and 26 starters, while the Rebels lose 24 lettermen and 10 starters. Despite some key losses, Nutt has seen strong leadership this offseason from junior LB D.T. Shackelford, senior OT Bradley Sowell, junior LB Joel Kight, and junior OT Bobby Massie, among others. Overall, Nutt is pleased with the mentality of his club heading into spring.

"I love our young men's attitudes right now," he said. "They've worked extremely hard. They've been very dedicated, and they've been very hungry. We've got to keep it at that level, and we've got to improve."

Ole Miss returns nine of 11 starters from an offensive unit that ranked third in the SEC in rushing offense at 207.58 yards per game, led by All-SEC running back Brandon Bolden. The rising senior tied the school records for touchdowns scored (17) and rushing TDs (14) and finished fifth in the conference in rushing (81.3 ypg).

Senior Enrique Davis and sophomore Jeff Scott are also back to help continue the dominant rushing attack that has been a trademark of Nutt offenses through the years.

Generating a great deal of excitement for the Rebel coaches entering spring is the offensive line. Returning are all five starters and two more linemen that earned starts from a group that topped the SEC in fewest sacks allowed and notched eight 100-yard rushing games between four different runners. A pair of All-SEC candidates at the tackles in Sowell and Massie highlight the line, along with fellow starters in senior center A.J. Hawkins, senior guard Alex Washington and sophomore guard Jared Duke. Sophomores Patrick Junen, Evan Swindall and Emmanuel McCray, junior Matt Hall and senior Logan Clair give the coaches plenty of options along the line.

"Our offensive line was very young last year, Nutt said. "They're a year older and should be very solid."

Also back for the Ole Miss offense are starting tight end Ferbia Allen and fullbacks H.R. Greer and E.J. Epperson. While receiving yardage leader Markeith Summers departs, junior Melvin Harris, sophomore Ja-Mes Logan and redshirt freshmen Vincent Sanders expect to lead the receiving corps in the spring, while senior Derrick Herman and sophomores Korvic Neat and Terrell Grant are also vying for playing time.

"We need to continue to build our numbers at receiver," Nutt said. "We've got a lot of freshmen coming in this fall, and we've got to continue to work on our depth as we work into preseason."

The biggest hole on offense is quarterback, where starter Jeremiah Masoli must be replaced. The Oregon transfer ranked seventh in the SEC in total offense (215.2 ypg) and broke the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback (544).

However, there is no shortage of talented candidates at signal-caller. Junior Nathan Stanley earned the starting job after spring drills last year and completed 17-of-32 passes for 261 yards with three TDs and one interception in limited action last year. Junior Randall Mackey redshirted after being the nation's top JUCO quarterback in 2009, and now touted transfers Zack Stoudt and Barry Brunetti join the mix. The junior Stoudt is eligible immediately, while the sophomore Brunetti is seeking an NCAA hardship waiver that would grant him the same opportunity.

"It's wide open," said Nutt. "Nathan Stanley and Randall Mackey have been here and are working really hard. Now you've got Zack Stoudt and Barry Brunetti here, so it's going to be a tremendous race."

Despite new faces on the sideline and behind center, Nutt said the offense will maintain a tough mentality.

"Offensively, we are going to make sure we're able to run the ball and be able to pass the ball with these new quarterbacks," he said. "With new coaches and a couple of new things, you're trying to build on something, but it starts with attitude and toughness. Then those plays will come."

On defense, the Rebels are focused on a fresh start this spring after struggling in 2010. Only five starters return, but the staff is excited about that group and the young players competing to fill the vacant spots.

"We gave up too many big plays last year, and defensively, that's going to be one of the biggest things we hit," said Nutt. "It's going to be getting off the field, and not giving up big plays.

"I'm excited about our linebackers. We've got to work hard in the secondary, but we have guys with some experience under their belt."

The greatest source of optimism for the Rebel coaches is at linebacker where the versatile Shackelford is poised to take the leadership reins. He teams with Kight and sophomore Mike Marry to form a potent, young linebacking group. Rudy Wilson, Clarence Jackson and Will Martin provide depth.

One of the Rebels' biggest challenges of the spring is rebuilding a defensive line that loses four senior defensive tackles, including two-time All-SEC honoree Jerrell Powe. Senior Justin Smith and sophomore Corey Gaines are the lone experienced returnees in the interior, while JUCO newcomer Gilbert Pena expects to compete with redshirt freshmen Bryon Bennett and Carlton Martin for immediate action.

"The defensive line was hit the hardest with graduation," Nutt said. "We've got to find our inside guys. Justin Smith and Corey Gaines are two guys that have to step up for us. Carlton Martin and Bryon Bennett haven't played, but they had a good redshirt year."

Ole Miss has several experienced candidates for the end spots, led by junior returning starter Gerald Rivers. Senior Wayne Dorsey, junior Jason Jones and sophomores Cameron Whigham and Carlos Thompson all earned meaningful snaps a year ago after two-year starter Kentrell Lockett had injury cut his 2010 short. Lockett, who is seeking a sixth year of eligibility, is rehabbing and would be unavailable for spring even if ruled eligible by the NCAA.

Improving the pass defense is a high priority of spring practice. Seniors Marcus Temple (CB) and Damien Jackson (FS) are returning starters, while sophomores Charles Sawyer (CB) and Brishen Mathews (SS) are prime candidates to assume those other starting spots after gaining valuable experience a year ago. Junior college arrivals Ivan Nicholas and Wesley Pendleton are also expected to battle for snaps in the secondary with sophomore Frank Crawford and other returnees.

A senior leader on defense, Temple will not be able to compete in spring drills after undergoing sports hernia surgery in the offseason.

Special teams play will be a strength of the Rebels again in 2011, led by NCAA punting champion and All-SEC junior Tyler Campbell. Junior Andrew Rittter continues to excel on kickoffs, while junior Bryson Rose is coming off a solid first season as the starting placekicker, finishing third in the SEC in field goals made.

In the return game, Scott is back after ranking 20th in the nation in kickoff return in just a half-season of fielding kicks. Herman and new JUCO playmaker Philander Moore also factor in for both kickoffs and punts.

Deep snapper Wesley Phillips graduates after a strong season as the starter. Redshirt freshman Will Denny and sophomores Jacob Hickman and Chad Phillips are among those challenging for that role.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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