5 key Ole Miss football players to see a massive improvement in 2024

If everything comes to fruition, the 2024 Ole Miss football season could be looked back on in years to come as one of the greatest. With a mixture of returning talent and transfers, we will see a high number of players on the field at certain stages of the season.

The five returning players below are candidates to improve on last season's performances.

Cayden Lee, Wide Receiver

Heading into his sophomore season, Cayden Lee is a prime wide receiver candidate to step up from last season. In his freshman season, Williams appeared in 10 games for the Rebels, playing 136 offensive snaps. During those times on the field, he caught five passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Lee started the Peach Bowl against Penn State, catching three passes for 29 yards.

Starting in the Peach Bowl was a sign that Lane Kiffin believed in his ability as a freshman. Heading into year 2, Lee has an even more crowded room to contend with. However, he won't start every week, but he will be used considerably more in rotations with Jordan Watkins and Deion Smith.

Micah Pettus, Offensive Tackle

The big offensive tackle was exceptional last season, protecting the right side for quarterback Jaxson Dart. Micah Pettus started the first ten games in 2023 before a season-ending injury against Texas A&M, which came a week before the key Georgia game. Although his presence would not have changed the result, it would have helped Dart significantly.

Heading into his third season as a starter with the Rebels, Pettus is going to be the leader on that offensive line. With a few new pieces from the transfer portal, this unit is huge and ready to compete against the elite. Pettus will be a reliable force for Dart, protecting his right side.

Ulysses Bentley IV, Running Back

With Quinshon Judkins departed and a boatload of running backs coming in from the portal, people may have forgotten about Ulysses Bentley IV. Last season, Bentley outproduced Judkins in average yards per carry. He finished the season with 95 carries for 540 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Despite the new faces in the running back room, Bentley will be the running back No.1 for Ole Miss in 2024. He will have help, but I expect to see those to 1,000 yards rushing this season.

Akelo Stone, Defensive Tackle

Featuring in 12 games last season, Akelo Stone was a vital rotation along the defensive line for the Rebels. Stone played 286 snaps, with stats of 27 total tackles (12 solos), 2.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, four QB hurries, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. He was the second-best player on run defense according to a PFF 79.4 grade.

JJ Pegues is the leading man at defensive tackle for 2024, but Stone will see a much more prominent role, especially as a run-stuffer. If Ole Miss wants to go far in the playoffs, Stone will need to step up at critical times during the season, which he will do.

Chris Graves Jr., Cornerback

Another second-year player at Ole Miss, Chris Graves Jr., saw action in 13 games as a redshirt freshman, starting one against Georgia. That game taught him a lot, and he will need to step up again if injuries occur this season. In the 2023 season, he had 24 total tackles, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble and was a solid special teams player.

Behind starters Trey Amos and Isaiah Hamilton, Graves can push for a more significant role during fall camp, but even as a backup, he will be a crucial part of this team. With his playmaking abilities at corner, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him force himself into a starting role during the season.