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Updating Ole Miss fall camp to-do list: What’s solved, what’s left before opener?
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Losing Jordan Wilkins for the season gave Akeem Judd ownership of the starting running back role, but is Eric Swinney ready to put last season’s injury behind him in a much larger role now?
Where will all the bodies wind up along the offensive line?
Ole Miss is ranked No. 11 in the first Associated Press Poll of the season and is preparing for No. 4 Florida State. Here are some questions to be answered, some partially answered, in the 14 days between now and then.
1. Backfield just opened up
Jordan Wilkins and Akeem Judd were tied on the preseason depth chart as starters at running back. When Wilkins was ruled ineligible last week for the season — an administrative error, not a grade issue — redshirt freshman Eric Swinney and true freshman D’Vaughn Pennamon saw the spotlight enlarge around their roles. Wilkins rushed for 379 yards last season and returned the second-most carries this season among players at the position. Junior Eugene Brazley and redshirt sophomore D.K. Buford will also be affected.
2. Does grad transfer Mageo stay first-team?
Rommel Mageo led Oregon State in tackles last season and has made a quick impression in fall camp. Looks like it will be last season’s leading tackler DeMarquis Gates and Mageo as the two starters, but senior Terry Caldwell and junior college transfer Detric Bing-Dukes can break into one of those spots before the Rebels face Florida State. The group will get a good test, assuming Seminoles RB Dalvin Cook breaks into the second level a few times as he usually does.
3. Who is the guy at left tackle?
Replacing Laremy Tunsil is too much to ask of anyone, but someone has to. As badly as fans want to see what five-star freshman Greg Little can do there, the answer may very well be redshirt freshman Alex Givens, and he has practiced with the first-team. Givens was second on the preseason depth chart, but when Jeremy Liggins wasn’t allowed to practice, Givens took advantage. Florida State has one of the best defensive lines in the country, so the live proving ground will tell a tale.
4. Injury hit secondary already
Junior C.J. Moore could miss the entire season after surgery to repair a torn pec muscle. He was listed as No. 2 Rover behind true freshman Myles Hartsfield. That could open up the No. 2 spot for another true freshman, Deontay Anderson or Greg Eisworth. All three freshmen have impressed in camp, where the battle for No. 2 has heated up.
5. Kelly is the guy, but is Patterson No. 2?
As much as fans want to see what Greg Little is all about, same goes for freshman quarterback Shea Patterson. The heralded five-star recruit has already drawn practice praise and will travel with the team. A redshirt decision is TBA, and until that is determined, backup Jason Pellerin has his hands full handling the hype around Patterson. Seeing who emerges as primary No. 2 will be fun to keep up with. Backup quarterback can sometimes be the most popular guy on the team. In this case, Kelly has a pretty firm grasp on the popularity contest.
