Top 38 Ole Miss Rebels: No. 35 Aaron Morris

Oct 4, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels fans hang from the goal posts after a win against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Rebels won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

One of seven players that signed to play for Houston Nutt, Aaron Morris seems like he’s been in a Rebel uniform forever. He’s played multiple positions and endured multiple injuries, and is going into his final season in Oxford.

For the last two recruiting cycles, the best player in the state of Mississippi has been a guard, Rod Taylor in 2014 and Javon Patterson in 2015. Ole Miss signed both of them and they’re on pace to live up to the billings created by their five star ratings. Right now, the Rebels have a pair of senior guards with a wealth of experience in Morris and Justin Bell, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee a starting spot for either. Morris has been hampered by knee injuries while Bell has been slow to his pulls on run plays and screens. With two studs waiting in the wings, the leashes aren’t terribly long for either incumbent.

That said, Morris is still an NFL talent when he’s healthy. He’s got a big frame, moves well and that experience on the left side of the line is invaluable. From what I gathered from my own reasoning and that of my colleagues, the only reason he is this far down the list is because he is injury prone. If he’s healthy, there is zero doubt he will end the season as the starter at left guard and will find himself picked in the late rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft.

If he isn’t 100 percent or finds himself inefficient and gets replaced by Taylor or Patterson, he will still be without a doubt the best backup guard in the conference. It has been a time of transition for the Rebel offensive line since Hugh Freeze’s arrival and finally there isn’t be a starter to replace along the line with Laremy Tunsil, Morris, Ben Still, Bell and Fahn Cooper from left to right. Continuity and experience is key in this conference along the line, and Morris brings just that.

Recapping the list so far:

38. Jordan Wilkins, RB (So.)

37. Christian Morris, OT (So.)

36. DeVante Kincade, QB (So.)

35. Aaron Morris, OG (Sr.)