Ole Miss Football: Top five players on defense returning in 2021

Sep 7, 2019; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker Sam Williams (13) celebrates during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2019; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker Sam Williams (13) celebrates during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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It may be college basketball season but it is never too early to look ahead at the top-five Ole Miss football players returning on defense in 2021.

The 2020 Ole Miss football season was unusual, to say the least. With a new head coach and staff,  Covid-19, and of course, a revised 10-game all-SEC season it was a little different than what we are normally accustomed to. However, the result was pretty good with the Rebels taking down No.11 Indiana in the Outback Bowl in Tampa.

Still, we know the Rebels would have been much better having they had a decent defense. We had co-defensive coordinators in DJ Durkin and Chris Partridge. With Durkin coach linebackers and Partridge coaching safeties, we saw a definite improvement in those areas. Of course, early in the season, the defense left a lot to be desired, and now we are wondering what the future holds going into the 2021 Ole Miss football season. OHT looks at the top-five returners coming back this year on defense.