Ole Miss Football mid-season awards with one stand-out player for the Rebels

Ole Miss still has plenty to play for this season despite sitting at 5-2. The new era of the 12-team playoff means teams with two losses can still make the postseason. It puts things into perspective for the Rebels, win the last five, and it's playoff time.

After seven games, several players have played lights out, and several others need to up their game for the season's final games. If we were to hand out awards now, who would take them as we head towards Week 9?

Best Offensive Ole Miss Player

Tre Harris - wide receiver

After seven games, it's hard to pick against the best offensive player from last season, wide receiver Tre Harris. The veteran has 59 receptions for 987 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He has more than twice as many receiving yards as the next player on the team, Cayden Lee (429). Harris is just 334 yards from breaking the single-season record in receiving yards set by A.J. Brown (1,320) in 2018. If he manages that, he will be the offensive player of the season for the Rebels.

Best Defensive Ole Miss Player

Walter Nolen - defensive tackle

Ole Miss has had several players on the defense playing high-quality football this season. The defense has put the team in plenty of situations to win games, including the two three-point losses. The defensive front has been an unstoppable force, led by DT Walter Nolen. The Texas A&M transfer has 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. Nolen has also been a big part of the team, allowing just 73.3 rushing yards per game, which is second-best in the nation.

Most Improved Offensive Ole Miss Player

Cayden Lee - wide receiver

The sophomore wide receiver has been electric this season, the second-most targeted receiver on the team. With Jordan Watkins injured in the first three games, Lee took advantage, having over 60 yards in each game. When Watkins returned, Lee continued to see the field and lead the team in the Week 7 loss to LSU, with nine receptions for 132 receiving yards. He has stepped up this season and could be the No.1 guy next season.

Most Improved Defensive Ole Miss Player

Suntarine Perkins - edge/linebacker

The sophomore was the best freshman player last season and has taken a massive leap as a sophomore. When transfers Princely Umanmielen and Chris Hardie came in, suggestions were that Perkins could take a back seat. That has not been the case with the second-year defensive player who has played lights out. He is second on the team with sacks (4.5) and third in tackles (30). Perkins could lead a young defensive front in 2025.

Most Under Performing Ole Miss Player

The Offensive Line

I think this is an obvious one, and I couldn't just pick one player. After picking up several players from the transfer portal, Ole Miss looked to be in a good place in the trenches for the 2024 season. Well, that hasn't been the case, with the latest PFF grades telling the story of how well they have protected quarterback Jaxson Dart. The group needs to pick it up for the remaining five games.

Under Performing Ole Miss Staff Member

Charlie Weis Jr. - offensive coordinator

The offense has been pretty much boom or bust so far this season. We have seen some chunk plays, but they have struggled to stay on the field as soon as the Rebels get behind the sticks. As a coordinator, you take the praise when it's going well; when it's not, you take the heat, and Charlie Weis Jr. is feeling it from the fans. Ole Miss has a third-down conversation rate of 41.89%, not playoff-caliber stats. His play calling and not utilizing players he has in reserve is also questionable. Can he change the narrative before the end of the season?