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The University of Mississippi Athletics
2018 Football Position Previews: Linebackers
8/15/2018 | Football
Linebackers Coach Jon Sumrall Looks to Revamp Rebel Run Defense
This is the first of an eight-part position-by-position preview series looking ahead at what the Ole Miss Rebels' depth chart might look like for the 2018 season.
Jon Sumrall joins the Ole Miss coaching staff to head the linebacker corps, a group that must replace the team's top tackler. The Rebel linebackers must deal with the departures DeMarquis Gates (114 tackles) and Tayler Polk (39 tackles, one sack) to graduation.
Willie Hibbler, Josh Clarke, Donta Evans, Zikerrion Baker, Detric Bing-Dukes and Mohamed Sanogo return from last year's team to lead the unit.
Bing-Dukes, a senior from Tucker, Georgia, is the returning leading tackler at the linebacker spot for the Rebels with 24 stops last season. Clarke, a redshirt freshman from Jefferson, Louisiana, will likely see heavy snaps opposite of Bing-Dukes.
Jacquez Jones, Jonathan Hess, Luke Knox and Kevontae' Ruggs have all reported for fall camp with eyes on playing time as well. Thus far, Ruggs has stood out as a difference maker at the position, but the battle will continue up until the Rebels' season opener on Sept. 1 against Texas Tech.
2017 Top Performer: DeMarquis Gates (112 tackles, 2 sacks, 10 TFL)
Returning in 2018: Willie Hibbler (Jr., 2L), Josh Clarke (Fr., RS), Donta Evans (So., 1L), Zikerrion Baker (Fr., RS), Brenden Williams (Jr., 1L), Detric Bing-Dukes (Sr., 3L), Mohamed Sanogo (So., 1L)
Newcomers in 2018: Vernon Dasher (Jr., Coffeyville, Kan.), Jacquez Jones (Fr., Tuscaloosa, Ala.), Jonathan Hess (Fr., Vestavia Hills, Ala.), Kevontae' Ruggs (Fr., Montgomery, Ala.)
Departures from 2017: DeMarquis Gates (Graduation), Tayler Polk (Graduation)
To purchase tickets for the 2018 season, visit OleMissTix.com or call 888-REB-TKTS. Follow Ole Miss Football on Twitter (@OleMissFB), Facebook and Instagram.
