Ole Miss Football: Will The Landshark Defense Return In 2018?
With the 2018 Ole Miss football season rapidly approaching there are obvious questions which fans have for the Rebels this season.
Ole Miss football will be back in action in just weeks and there are some questions which fans have about the 2018 season. One of the biggest questions most fans have besides the final win/loss record is about the defense. In recent years we’ve seen flashes of the Landshark D but for the most part it has been lacking. Will we see it return in 2018?
When you look at the 2017 season we can see where the defense progressively got better as the season went on. As the season continued the defense seemed to find their way and played well. Of course, with the final season ending win over No.14 ranked Miss State we saw a defense which was very good. Now we all wonder if the Crimedawg/Landshark defense picks back up where they left off?
2018 Looks Promising
Ole Miss Rebels Football
This season Ole Miss football will have a new look on the defensive side of the ball. With the departure of Marquis Haynes, Breeland Speaks and Demarquis Gates there will be new players stepping up into those starting roles. There will also be some new players in the mix who signed with the 2018 Ole Miss recruiting class.
The defense also has two new coaches for the 2018 season. During the off-season Charles Clark and Jon Sumrall were added to the staff. Clark who is a former Ole Miss player at DB is working with the defensive backs. Sumrall was hired as linebackers coach. Both coaches bring a lot of experience to both position groups.
Two Deep Defense
Sunday coach Matt Luke released the two-deep roster for fall practice for the Rebels and the defense looks good. On the defensive line the Rebs are solid across the front. At defensive end the Rebels have Victor Evans and Ryder Anderson as number ones. They are backed up by Austrian Robinson and Qaadir Sheppard. At defensive tackle there is Josiah Coatney who is backed up by Sincere David. Benito Jones is the number one at nose tackle and is backed up by Ross Donelly.
At middle linebacker there is Detric Bing-Dukes who is backed up by Zikerrion Baker. Outside linebacker number one is Josh Clarke who is backed up by Willie Hibbler. STAR is Vernon Dasher who is supported by Montrell Custis. On the corners are Ken Webster and Jaylon Jones backed up by Myles Hartsfield and Javien Hamilton. The safety position is locked down by Zedrick Woods at strong and CJ Moore at free. They are backed up by CJ Miller and Kam White respectively.
Next: Five Areas Of Concern...
Defense Should Be Better
While many Rebels are waiting and wondering about the defense this season it should be much better. Now that Wesley McGriff has had a chance to get his feet wet as a DC the defense should be solid in 2018. How good will the defense be? Well we have to wait and see but this group is set to have a great season. Good luck to the Landshark defense this season. Hotty Toddy!