Ole Miss Football: Report Card for 2016 Season
By Randy Morgan
![Nov 5, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) drops back to pass against Georgia Southern Eagles during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports Nov 5, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) drops back to pass against Georgia Southern Eagles during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c06612fde3c9d7782bfce879aa3b2d9b3c4027a047ac4e52313c53a4573829d7.jpg)
. LB. Last Year: C-. LINEBACKERS . F
Where do I begin with the linebackers? Constantly out of position, poor tackling, and just a poor performance overall.
This was easily the worst group of players on the Ole Miss team.
Led by transfers Rommel Mageo and Detric Bing-Dukes, Ole Miss struggled greatly at the position.
Demarquis Gates also played the position when he was not injured, and led the team in tackles this season. Accounting for 8.1% of the team’s tackles.
Bing-Dukes, Mageo, and Taylor Polk all had 30 tackles this season.
Ole Miss need some serious help at this position, on the staff and on the field.
The LSU game was the worst for the linebackers, who were constantly exposed by the LSU offensive line and Leonard Fournette, who gashed the Rebel linebackers all night.
With Josh Clarke already committed, Ole Miss is looking to bring in Willie Gay and Jeremy Burley to help the linebacker position. It is the #1 focus in recruiting this season.
Is it all coaching? Is it all the players fault? Who knows, but I know that they are not happy with their performance and will look to improve next year.