Ole Miss Rebels All-Millennial Football Team
The offensive line is the hardest position group to rank players. So much is done in the trenches that’s often overlooked. We had many great lineman play for the Rebels at one time or another. When picking the team, I didn’t focus on exact positions. These guys are so good we will just put them on the field and figure it out from there.
Offensive Linemen
First Team:
Terrence Metcalf
Lately he has become known as the father to DeKaylin Metcalf, but Terrence was one of the most dominant offensive linemen of the millennium. The All-American from Clarksdale, MS. was responsible for protecting Eli Manning’s blindside. From 1999-2001 Metcalf only allowed one sack. He was a major contributing factor to keeping Eli’s jersey clean.
Michael Oher
The All-American out of Memphis had his life story memorialized in film. But his real story took place at Vault Hemingway Stadium where he dominated his opponent week in and week out. He was a no-brainer for this list.
John Jerry
John Jerry is from the football factory known as South Panola High School in Batesville, MS. He’s another All-American that held his own on the offensive line. His dominance was demonstrated by the fact he blocked for three 1,000 yard rushers at Ole Miss.
Bradley Sowell
Tre’ Stallings
Second Team:
Ben Claxton
The exchange between the quarterback and center is vital in every game. Claxton was exemplary at his job. He was a steady member of the line that help protect Eli Manning. He anchored an offensive line that put together a dominant stretch. From 1999-2002 the Ole Miss line gave up the fewest sacks in the SEC.
Laremy Tunsil
Tunsil is on the second team not because of talent. His talent was evident since he first stepped on the campus. But the time he missed due to injuries and suspensions limited his ability to show off all his talent. We would have love to have had Laremy in the games against Florida and Memphis last year. I believe he would have made a difference.
Fahn Cooper
He was only here for two years, but Cooper made the list because of his yeoman job of moving to left tackle when Tunsil was inactive. He proved invaluable as a steady senior on a line full of young players. There may be players with more talent that could have made this list, but leadership is invaluable and Cooper has that in spades.
Bobby Massie
Doug Buckles
Next: The Defensive Line