Ole Miss football and their fans find themselves in a conundrum. After a lackluster season which ended in a beat-down by our in-state rivals and a second NOA, there are some bright spots. There are also some players which rise to the top, who we want to have our eye on during the Grove Bowl.
Seasons are called seasons for a reason, and from each year to year there are changes on the college football landscape. There have been moments in recent years when Ole Miss football approached the pinnacle, only to fall by the way side. This was the case this past season, as it ended with a disappointing 5-7 record after finishing 10-3 the season before with a Sugar Bowl championship. Of course, things change.
One thing which does stay constant is the overwhelming desire for a player to stand out. Spring is a welcomed platform by players, coaches and fans to have a chance to see what the future holds. Players are getting a chance to shine in a spring game for a new coaching staff and us, the Rebel faithful.
The future is bright for Ole Miss football and 2017 begins with great players coming together in Vaught-Hemingway on Saturday for the Grove Bowl. Among all the players there will be a handful who we can’t take our eyes off. These are the Top 5 I want to see.
#5 Breeland Speaks
Ole Miss Rebels Football
Breeland Speaks came into this spring with some Rebel fans questioning his role in the the new McGriff defense. It’s been obvious to many of us, Breeland has everything to be a great player and I believe he will emerge as a leader in Crimedawg’s defensive unit.
Breeland has been on the cusp of emerging as one of the best defensive tackles in the SEC. Under his new defensive line coach, Speaks has the chance to draw expertise from one of the best. Freddie Roach was a Alabama standout and will insist on his lineman utilizing size and speed in conjunction with hand-work .
At 6’3″ and 290 lbs, I have to believe Breeland Speaks will have the opportunity to break out this season. In McGriff and Roach, Breeland will have two of the best coaches to learn from.
#4 AJ Brown
AJ Brown is one of the most high-profile players to wear red and blue, simply because he is from Starkvegas. He is the one who got away and fueled major discord across the state. Of course, he is a thrill show on the field and we can only imagine what this season holds for him.
Per OleMissSports.com, last season, AJ hauled in 29 passes for 412 yards (14.2 ypr) and 2 TDs. Some Rebel fans felt as though he wasn’t targeted enough as the season progressed. I seriously doubt that will even be an issue in the new Longo offense.
"“(Fans can expect) a lot of big plays,” sophomore receiver A.J. Brown said. “With Coach Longo’s offense, you can see explosive plays coming really soon.” ~OleMissSports.com"
Rebel fans can be sure of two things this Saturday. One, AJ will be open. Two, Aj will make the play. Under the new Longo offense, AJ could emerge as the best WR at Ole Miss this fall.
#3 Marquis Haynes
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Marquis Haynes is undoubtedly one of the best pass rushers in the nation. With 24.5 career sacks, Haynes has emerged as a dominant force for the Ole Miss defense in the past three seasons.
At 6’3″ and 222 lbs, the Jacksonville, Florida native is scary fast for his size. His quickness off the snap is so fast, he is a 60 minute headache for any offensive coordinator. Of course, quarterbacks don’t like him much either.
According to OleMissSports.com, Haynes had 53 total tackles in 2016. He also had 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, while forcing 3 fumbles. Marquis was selected All-SEC Third Team last season, much to the ire of Ole Miss fans. Personally, I believe he was 1st Team material but was simply overlooked by voters.
Beginning this Saturday, we get a chance to see Marquis Haynes in his new defense. This will be a huge chance to see how McGriff utilizes his quickness. Freddie Roach is a stickler over hand-work and Marquis really doesn’t have to use it much. When he does, he is really pretty good at it. Oh this is going to be good.
#2 Jordan Wilkins
Jordan Wilkins came into this spring with an axe to grind. Ole Miss football took some tough losses last season, but this was the worst we had, and it happened before the season even began. Jordan was deemed academically ineligible, just weeks prior to the season opener against FSU.
Jordan, besides being a model student-athlete, has also been a Ole Miss fan favorite. Jordan Wilkins is one of a handful of Rebel running-backs to run and pass for a TD. (That’s something I’m currently researching.) Unbelievably, Jordan has never caught a TD pass. However, that could change in the new Longo offense. Who can forget his TD pass against Miss State in the 2014 Egg Bowl?
What a beautiful pass! Just saying.
As a Ole Miss Rebel, the Cordova, Tennessee native has emerged as a team leader, both on and off the field. Wilkins has accumulated 740 yards on 124 carries and scored 5 rushing TDs. I really think Jordan breaks the non-receiving TD drought this season.
Jordan is a bruiser inside if he needs to be. However, his talents will be better showcased off the edge in the short/dump pass game. I honestly expect Jordan to have a breakout season and it begins in the Grove Bowl Saturday.
#1 Shea Patterson
Come on. Seriously, who did you really expect me to pick for #1? Honestly, this may be the most anticipated Grove Bowl ever for this very reason. Forget everything you ever saw on video about him. Forget last season and the way it ended. Go to the Grove Bowl with a blank canvas and let #20 paint an indelible masterpiece, on your arm-chair quarterback brain.
Shea Patterson comes into Saturday’s Grove Bowl with more than half of Rebel nation thinking he is under some kind of pressure. Trust me, there is no pressure which Shea Patterson is worried about. Shea loves what we think of as pressure. It drives him to be better and Rebel fans can count on that. When I talked with his dad, I asked about pressure, because of a recent headline. Sean Sr replied, “What pressure?” And then he laughed.
#20 Is Ready
This is the deal folks. Shea Patterson is a phenom and we have only seen just a glimpse of what he is capable of. Just a glimpse. Last season, when we saw him cast into the fire of SEC play with the injury to Chad Kelly. However, we didn’t see the true Shea. Some of us, graded him based on wins and losses, while most realized exactly what he was up against. However, Shea shined.
According to OleMIssSports.com, in 3 games last season, Shea was 72 0f 132 with 880 yards and 6 TDs. Oh, did I mention he can motor when he has to? Yeah, he has wheels to go with the arm. Shea rushed for an additional 225 yards. In just 3 games! Imagine the numbers he can put up in a full season under a go-fast offensive coordinator and head coach. Rebel faithful should be anxious to see how well Shea performs Saturday. This will be his 4th offense to learn in 5 seasons, going back to high school at Calvary Christian.
The swag will be unlocked Saturday in the Vaught. The Grove Bowl begins at 11am CT. Hotty Toddy!
Are You Ready?