Week 1 projected depth chart for the Ole Miss football offense

Ole Miss will get its 2024 college football season underway this coming Saturday with a roster full of talent. The offense offers one of the deepest depth charts in the nation, with the wide receiver position offering an abundance of playmakers. Who might be the starters for the week 1 game, and who will be backing them up? Let's predict who might be lining up where on the Rebels' offense.

Quarterback: Jaxson Dart

Returning for his third season with the Rebels, Jaxson Dart looks to break plenty of program records before heading off for the next chapter of his career in the NFL. Behind him, Walker Howard will likely back up as he did in 2023, but Austin Simmons is a serious talent who could push for No.2 on the depth chart.

Running back: Ulysses Bentley IV, Henry Parish Jr., Rashad Amos

Ole Miss could have a backfield that shares production, with Ulysses Bentley IV, Henry Parris Jr., and Rashad Amos all capable of handling significant loads. Lane Kiffin will side with Bentley for week 1 and keep whichever running back is hot in the game. Behind the front three, the Rebels also have Domonique Thomas and Matt Jones.

X-Wide receiver: Antwane Wells, Ayden Williams

South Carolina transfer Antwane "Juice" Wells will be one of the outside wide receivers. Wells will look to put an injury-plagued season behind him and find his form from 2022, which saw him have 928 receiving yards. Sophomore Ayden Williams is behind him on the depth chart and should see more offensive snaps this season.

Z-Wide receiver: Tre Harris, Micah Davis

Leading receiver from last season, Tre Harris continues his role as the No.1 receiver, but he will have more talent around him than last season. That will likely mean plenty of single coverage for Harris, which he will punish. Recent transfer Micah Davis could be the No.2 on the depth chart, but don't rule out Devin Price.

Y-Wide receiver: Jordan Watkins, Cayden Lee

Jordan Watkins joined Tre Harris and headed back for one more season, hoping to bow out with a championship. He may not record the stats Harris or Wells might, but he is guaranteed to come in clutch several times during the season. Sophomore Cayden Lee showed what he could do in his limited playing time last season. He is a future star for the Rebels.

Tight end: Caden Prieskorn, Dae'Quan Wright

Caden Prieskorn is another returnee who offers a high upside in the passing game. He had to do a lot of the heavy lifting at the position last season, but he will have some help in 2024. Dae'Quan Wright is an athletic pass-catching tight end who could easily step in as the No.1, and the Rebels would not lose much at the position.

Left tackle: Jayden Williams, Diego Pounds

I'm not 100% on this part of the offensive line, but Kiffin could go with Jayden Williams, who knows the system. If Ole Miss has gotten ahead of the opposition, Diego Pounds could come in for snaps later in the game.

Left guard: Nate Kalepo, Jeremy James

One of the new boys from Washington, Nate Kalepo, is a big guard who will drastically improve the run game, just like his fellow transfer. Jeremy James will be the backup and has several seasons of experience in the system.

Center: Gerquan Scott, Caleb Warren

We heard several weeks ago that transfer Gerquan Scott was taking snaps at the center, and the reports out of camp are that he could start in week 1. Caleb Warren is also on the depth chart and has a chance of starting, but I would expect Scott to be in front of him.

Right guard: Julius Buelow, Reece McIntyre

The second Washington transfer should also start at the right guard of the offensive line. Reece McIntyre is another lineman with system knowledge and a solid backup.

Right tackle: Micah Pettus, Preston Cushman

Micah Pettus has arguably been the best offensive lineman over the past two seasons. An injury derailed his season before the Georgia game in 2023, and it was terrible timing for Ole Miss. Preston Cushman has been one of the top performers in camp and, although inexperienced, is in line to be the backup.