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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Football Practice Report: Key Additions
4/11/2024 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – The countdown to the Grove Bowl Games is almost to its end as the Ole Miss football team is set to host its new spring event on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Newcomers Key Lawrence and Yam Banks spoke with the media Thursday in the final press session leading up to the Grove Bowl Games. Click here for everything you need to know leading up to Saturday's spring finale, and read on to see what Lawrence and Banks will add to the squad this fall.
Major Key
The Ole Miss roster is full of transfers from other powerhouse college football programs, including one of its latest blue-blood additions, defensive back Key Lawrence out of Oklahoma. The Nashville native spent his freshman season at Tennessee, then put together three strong seasons for the Sooners before heading back closer to home.
"I was just trying to get closer back to home," Lawrence said. "I was 10 hours away from home, so it was hard for my family to get down there. Plus I wanted to be in the SEC. I saw a lot of guys trickling in, I just wanted to be a part of the team, honestly."
Heading into his first spring with the program, Lawrence didn't place too much weight on his own shoulders, but he's already shown on the practice field that he has a chance to be an impact player in the Rebel secondary.
"I was just tying to make my mark. I wasn't trying to be a leader. I was trying to come in and just work, and hopefully they'll gravitate toward me. I was just tying to learn the playbook, get the basics down, get in a routine for myself and get comfortable here."
Got the Yam
Contrary to Lawrence's route through two elite programs en route to Oxford, Yam Banks joins the squad after three seasons at South Alabama, and some spectacular plays that earned him a spot in the SEC. Banks brings 45 games of experience to Oxford, and a resume that includes seven interceptions and two All-Sun Belt selections.
"The feeling of coming to a winning culture and playing for a great program, a league-bound program," Banks said. "It has all the tools here for me."
A product of Ridgeland just outside of Jackson, Banks will also be reunited with former high school teammate Ayden Williams. Williams spoke highly of Banks on Tuesday and is excited to see what he can do in the Rebel defensive backfield.
"Yam's a dawg I swear," Williams said. "Y'all have seen him at South Alabama. Yam can play. He's going to be out there making some plays in the SEC this year for sure."
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We're here to chronicle the competition leading up to the Grove Bowl, the 2024 season opener and beyond. Sign up for The Sip newsletter to have the latest news, info, reports, content, offers and more delivered straight to your inbox.
Newcomers Key Lawrence and Yam Banks spoke with the media Thursday in the final press session leading up to the Grove Bowl Games. Click here for everything you need to know leading up to Saturday's spring finale, and read on to see what Lawrence and Banks will add to the squad this fall.
Major Key
The Ole Miss roster is full of transfers from other powerhouse college football programs, including one of its latest blue-blood additions, defensive back Key Lawrence out of Oklahoma. The Nashville native spent his freshman season at Tennessee, then put together three strong seasons for the Sooners before heading back closer to home.
"I was just trying to get closer back to home," Lawrence said. "I was 10 hours away from home, so it was hard for my family to get down there. Plus I wanted to be in the SEC. I saw a lot of guys trickling in, I just wanted to be a part of the team, honestly."
Heading into his first spring with the program, Lawrence didn't place too much weight on his own shoulders, but he's already shown on the practice field that he has a chance to be an impact player in the Rebel secondary.
"I was just tying to make my mark. I wasn't trying to be a leader. I was trying to come in and just work, and hopefully they'll gravitate toward me. I was just tying to learn the playbook, get the basics down, get in a routine for myself and get comfortable here."
Got the Yam
Contrary to Lawrence's route through two elite programs en route to Oxford, Yam Banks joins the squad after three seasons at South Alabama, and some spectacular plays that earned him a spot in the SEC. Banks brings 45 games of experience to Oxford, and a resume that includes seven interceptions and two All-Sun Belt selections.
"The feeling of coming to a winning culture and playing for a great program, a league-bound program," Banks said. "It has all the tools here for me."
A product of Ridgeland just outside of Jackson, Banks will also be reunited with former high school teammate Ayden Williams. Williams spoke highly of Banks on Tuesday and is excited to see what he can do in the Rebel defensive backfield.
"Yam's a dawg I swear," Williams said. "Y'all have seen him at South Alabama. Yam can play. He's going to be out there making some plays in the SEC this year for sure."
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SIP
We're here to chronicle the competition leading up to the Grove Bowl, the 2024 season opener and beyond. Sign up for The Sip newsletter to have the latest news, info, reports, content, offers and more delivered straight to your inbox.
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