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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Football 2018 Position Preview: Defensive Backs
8/17/2018 | Football
Veteran Leadership Will Guide Rebel Secondary in 2018
This is the third 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.
The bulk of the 2017 Ole Miss secondary returns this season, making it one of the most veteran groups on the 2018 roster.
At corner, nearly entire group returns, highlighted by a group of upperclassmen in Ken Webster, Javien Hamilton, Myles Hartsfield and Jaylon Jones.
Hartsfield recorded 42 tackles, five deflections and two interceptions in 2017, while Webster had 29 tackles and a pair of break ups and deflections last season.
Safety is a similar story, where veterans Zedrick Woods and C.J. Moore will lead the way with Moore sporting the esteemed No. 38 on his jersey for 2018. Junior college transfer Vernon Dasher has also looked the part thus far in camp and could be a key contributor as well in the Rebel secondary.
Woods racked up 64 tackles a year ago with four pass breakups and four deflections. Moore also looks to build off of a strong 2017 campaign, in which he tallied 51 tackles and three interceptions. Jaylon Jones made a seamless transition from corner to safety, recording 34 tackles and a pair of break ups and deflections.
The good news for the Rebels is that the majority of this group returns in 2018 to help solidify what should be a competitive pass defense with the entire two deep on the depth chart returning at cornerback.
Top Performers: Zedrick Woods (64 tackles, four break ups, four deflections) C.J. Moore (51 tackles, three interceptions) Myles Hartsfield (29 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, 43 total tackles, two interceptions four TFLs), Ken Webster (21 solo tackles, eight assisted tackles, 29 total tackles), Javien Hamilton (20 total tackles, three INTs)
Returning in 2018: Webster (Sr., 3L), Hamilton (Sr., 1L), Hartsfield (Jr., 2L), Montrell Custis (Jr., 2L), Zedrick Woods (Sr., 3L) Jaylon Jones (Jr., 2L), Cam Ordway (Sr., 3L), C.J. Moore (Sr., 3L), Armani Linton (Jr., 2L), A.J. Harris (Fr., RS), C.J. Miller (So., 1L), Jalen Julius (Jr., 2L), Jerry Johnson, (Jr., 1L), Art Mitchell, (Jr., 1L), Kweisi Fountain (SR, 1L), Ty Rocconi, Fr., RS), Kam White (Fr., RS)
Newcomers in 2018: Vernon Dasher (Jr., Coffeyville CC), Keidron Smith (Fr., Palm Beach, Fla.), A.J. Harris (Fr., Madison, Ala.), Jakorey Hawkins (Fr., Montgomery, Ala.)
Departures from 2017: A.J. Moore (Graduation), C.J. Hampton (Graduation), D.D. Bowie (Transfer)
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.
The bulk of the 2017 Ole Miss secondary returns this season, making it one of the most veteran groups on the 2018 roster.
At corner, nearly entire group returns, highlighted by a group of upperclassmen in Ken Webster, Javien Hamilton, Myles Hartsfield and Jaylon Jones.
Hartsfield recorded 42 tackles, five deflections and two interceptions in 2017, while Webster had 29 tackles and a pair of break ups and deflections last season.
Safety is a similar story, where veterans Zedrick Woods and C.J. Moore will lead the way with Moore sporting the esteemed No. 38 on his jersey for 2018. Junior college transfer Vernon Dasher has also looked the part thus far in camp and could be a key contributor as well in the Rebel secondary.
Woods racked up 64 tackles a year ago with four pass breakups and four deflections. Moore also looks to build off of a strong 2017 campaign, in which he tallied 51 tackles and three interceptions. Jaylon Jones made a seamless transition from corner to safety, recording 34 tackles and a pair of break ups and deflections.
The good news for the Rebels is that the majority of this group returns in 2018 to help solidify what should be a competitive pass defense with the entire two deep on the depth chart returning at cornerback.
Top Performers: Zedrick Woods (64 tackles, four break ups, four deflections) C.J. Moore (51 tackles, three interceptions) Myles Hartsfield (29 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, 43 total tackles, two interceptions four TFLs), Ken Webster (21 solo tackles, eight assisted tackles, 29 total tackles), Javien Hamilton (20 total tackles, three INTs)
Returning in 2018: Webster (Sr., 3L), Hamilton (Sr., 1L), Hartsfield (Jr., 2L), Montrell Custis (Jr., 2L), Zedrick Woods (Sr., 3L) Jaylon Jones (Jr., 2L), Cam Ordway (Sr., 3L), C.J. Moore (Sr., 3L), Armani Linton (Jr., 2L), A.J. Harris (Fr., RS), C.J. Miller (So., 1L), Jalen Julius (Jr., 2L), Jerry Johnson, (Jr., 1L), Art Mitchell, (Jr., 1L), Kweisi Fountain (SR, 1L), Ty Rocconi, Fr., RS), Kam White (Fr., RS)
Newcomers in 2018: Vernon Dasher (Jr., Coffeyville CC), Keidron Smith (Fr., Palm Beach, Fla.), A.J. Harris (Fr., Madison, Ala.), Jakorey Hawkins (Fr., Montgomery, Ala.)
Departures from 2017: A.J. Moore (Graduation), C.J. Hampton (Graduation), D.D. Bowie (Transfer)
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.
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