Fall camp is underway for the Ole Miss football team and there are several position battles taking place that we will be keeping an eye on. While most people are focused on the quarterback battle, several other positions will be up for grabs during camp, and we will list them here.
Quarterback
One of the most talented quarterback rooms in the country will also be a part of one of the most interesting position battles in all of college football for 2023. While incumbent starter Jaxson Dart seems to still be the favorite to start for the Rebels, Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders isn’t far behind.
LSU transfer Walker Howard currently sits in the third spot as a redshirt freshman and likely will wait his turn behind one of the two aforementioned for another year.
Not much has changed since the spring for the Rebels as Dart is taking the majority of the reps with the first team and Sanders with the second. Most teammates and coaches agree so far that Dart looks like a different player this year, much improved from a year ago, and he should be the odds-on favorite to take the job come opening week against Mercer.
Tight End
Two of the best pass catchers for Ole Miss football are at the tight end position in returning starter Michael Trigg and Memphis transfer Caden Prieskorn. Trigg had a bit of a disappointing year in his first year in Oxford this past season posting just 17 catches for 156 yards and three touchdowns, but he has the size and athleticism to be a top-tier tight end in college football.
Prieskorn on the other hand had an impressive season in 2022 catching 48 passes for 602 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6’5, 255-pounder brings great size and blocking ability along with his pass-catching skills and is likely to see the majority of snaps at the position due to his versatility as a blocker.
Cornerback
Returning senior starter Deantre Prince is likely to lock up one of the cornerback positions for Ole Miss football this coming season, so the question will be who will start opposite him at the other corner spot, as well as who plays in the nickel as the number three.
So far, Georgia Tech transfer Zamari Walton has impressed the coaching staff including new defensive coordinator Pete Golding. The senior corner has incredible size at 6’3, 185 pounds, and is a versatile pass defender.
John Saunders Jr. and DeShawn Gaddie Jr. are the next two vying for a spot on the field in the Rebels’ secondary and either could be a good option as the nickel should Walton be the starter at corner.