3 summer arrivals who can help Rebels this fall

Published: Jul 31, 2016 · 4:30 PM EDT

One summer arrival will be tasked with replacing an NFL first-rounder. Another is part of a group of defensive backs tasked with digging the Rebels out of the bottom of the SEC’s pass defense rankings.

Ole Miss has its recruiting efforts in the national spotlight as the season approaches but there is no questioning the talent of the freshmen who arrived this summer.

Here are three summer arrivals that could make big impacts this fall.

A.J. Brown, WR

The wide receiver is ready. Brown arrived with a bang on signing day, choosing Ole Miss over his hometown Mississippi State.

Not only does Brown have elite hands, he is a physical beast. He can catch a short pass on one play, then outmuscle a defender or two the next.

The Rebels receiving corps is full and it will be difficult to break into a starting lineup that includes upperclassmen Quincy Adeboyejo and Damore’ea Stringfellow, redshirt freshman Van Jefferson and sophomore DaMarkus Lodge. But if any SEC newcomer can, it’s Brown.

He plays with a chip on his shoulder, like he never was an All-American (in two sports). Plus, he publicly shredded the way Mississippi State recruited him. He’ll want to play a lot in the Egg Bowl and to do that, he has to impress to break in. He can.

Deontay Anderson, S

Anderson could quickly become more than the guy who made his announcement for Ole Miss by skydiving.

With a secondary that ranked next to last in the SEC in pass defense a season ago, Anderson could provide speedy help.

The Rebels can certainly use his 6-foot-1 frame a year after allowing 25 passing plays of 25 yards or more (12th in the SEC). Only Tony Conner returns in the secondary, and Anderson is expected to be a big part of a group that includes fellow freshmen three-star prospects Myles Hartsfield and Greg Eisworth.

Greg Little, OL

The chances Little makes the starting lineup for the opener against Florida State are pretty good. Little was the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 3 player overall according to 247Sports composite.

There is a ton of pressure on Little, who at 6-foot-5, 305 pounds is anything but little. He is the presumed replacement for Laremy Tunsil and a key piece in what could be a very explosive offense.

Assuming he is half the hype coming in, Little will likely be at either left or right tackle. He will be broken in within a month against the Seminoles, Georgia and Alabama.

Brandon Speck