Ole Miss football will play the spring Grove Bowl game on April 8th. Here are five players who should take the next step in their development.
It is getting close to the time when the Ole Miss football team reports for spring practice. The Rebels will have 15 days of practice to acclimate the team to the new offensive and defensive coordinators. However, it will also be the first opportunity for several players to take the next step in their development.
The result of the 2016 season was disappointing. Injuries and youth caused Ole Miss to struggle during different times of the year in 2016. However, now many of those injuries have healed, and those who were inexperienced last year now have a year of playing time under their belt.
There were several players who didn’t make this list that are also expected to do big things. Most of this list is littered with young players who’ve gained experience. Some are reaching that “now or never” stage of their career.
Therefore, they need to put together a good year to validate the hype they had when they were first recruited. That being said, here is the OleHottyToddy.com list of five players poised to take the next step during the Spring.
No. 5: Benito Jones, Sophomore-DT
One of the bright spots of last year’s freshman class was Benito Jones. The 6’2, 308-pound defensive tackle from Waynesboro, MS. showed raw talent on the field. His skills got him on the field during every game of the season. He even started four games during the 12-game season. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t become a permanent starting DT during the 2017 season.
Jones produced whenever he got on the field. He was third among the lineman in tackles. He had 39 tackles along with one-half sack and four quarterback hurries. His stats should increase with that pivotal year under his belt. In addition, the extra year working with strength and conditioning coach Paul Jackson will help his push on the line.
Benito is a definite candidate to take the next step this spring. His potential is evident when you watch him play. He’s been described by olemisssports.com as Isaac Gross-like but much bigger. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take that everyday and twice on Saturday.
No. 4: DeMarkus Lodge, Junior-WR
Ole Miss has been aptly-named Wide Receiver University for the past few years. With past Rebels Donte Moncrief, Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core already in the NFL, expectations are high for those Rebels currently playing. In addition, losing Quincy Adeboyejo and Damore’ea Stringfellow to the draft has opened up playing time. DeMarkus Lodge has the chance to step up.
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The junior from Cedar Hill, TX. will have the opportunity this Spring to cement a starting job next season. Everything appears to be there for him. He has the measurables. Lodge is 6’2 and 190 lbs. He has great play making skills. He needs to spend this Spring focusing on his route running and picking up the offensive schemes.
Lodge has modest numbers over the past two years. In total he’s pulled in 16 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns. However, now he should have the chance to be a main target on the Ole Miss offense.
The wide receiver corps have very few upperclassmen. However, the young guys are as talented as any in the country. Therefore, Lodge must use this Spring to separate himself from the rest. It will be a challenge but he has the skills need to do so.
The competition will be fierce this year in Spring camp, but Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo is known to run an offense that is very pass friendly. So there should be a lot of footballs for everyone. Lodge must be prepared to be available to benefit from such an offense and take the next step.
No. 3: Zedrick Woods, Junior-DB
The defensive backfield struggled last year with coverage. Whether it was due to play-calling or simple execution of the game plan is left for message board warriors to decide. The one thing that is not debatable is the fact that Zedrick Woods appears to be on the verge of a breakout season.
The junior from Lake City, FL. was a statistical bright spot for the Rebels last year. He lead the team in interceptions with three. In addition to that, he was second on the team with 63 tackles. Woods was able to stay healthy last season and started all 12 games.
Woods should use this Spring as a chance to solidify his hold on his starting position. He has been a pleasant surprise from the 2015 recruiting class. He has shown an innate ability to go after the ball. If he improves his coverage skills Woods could anchor the defensive backfield for the next two years.
No. 2: Jordan Wilkins, Senior-RB
The 2016 season started with some disappointing news, that because of a mix-up in his credit allocation, running back Jordan Wilkins was not eligible for season. Losing Wilkins for the season was a tough blow for the Rebels.
Many expected him to have a breakout seasons last year. Therefore losing his services for the season was a tough hurdle for the Rebels to jump. However Wilkins should be ready to go this year. He ought to be able to step in and start for the Rebels next year.
Over his career here in Oxford, Wilkins has shown signs of excellence. With his 6’1, 215-pound frame and decent speed he is built to be a good physical runner. He has modest career numbers. Wilkins has rushed the ball 124 times and has gained 740 yards. He has seen the end zone with five touchdowns. Yet even with those number there has been games where he seemed to have disappeared.
Coach Hugh Freeze needs Wilkins to take a hold of the running game. He needs him to be consistent and productive. He needs to take the next step. The Rebels missing out on five-star recruiting target Cam Akers should be the opening Wilkins need to stake his claim as the clear number one RB.
No. 1: Shea Patterson, Freshman-QB
This is the most obvious choice for number one. The most important position for the Rebels is the quarterback position. Chad Kelly was manning the station for the past two years until he was injured with three games left to go in the 2016 season.
The Ole Miss social media warriors and bloggers were waxing poetic about whether coach Freeze should burn Shea Patterson’s redshirt for the final three games. The faux experts lined up on each side. In the end coach Freeze and the Pattersons decided to pull the redshirt and Shea started the game against Texas A&M, – game in which he engineered a comeback while throwing a dramatic touchdown after running around in the backfield.
This leads to a highly anticipated spring for the Ole Miss faithful. Although the coaching staff said it would be an open competition at the quarterback spot, there are probably only 10 people in the State who believe Patterson may not win the job. However, dominating in the Spring would be a welcomed sight.
Patterson will likely be the starting QB for the next two or three seasons with the Rebels. He needs to put his thumbprint on the offense and take the next step. It’s imperative that he quickly pick up coach Longo’s offensive game plans. The offense has a chance to put up even bigger numbers than last year. However, it is all predicated on Patterson’s ability to master the offense.