OXFORD — There was little about Ole Miss football's 2024 spring practice that was conventional. The Rebels hopped on board with a transfer portal class of experienced SEC stars, avoided physical contact in favor of mental reps, and turned the spring game into something similar to what you'd see at Coney Island. July 4th.
So where does that leave them? As Ole Miss shifts its focus to the spring transfer portal window that begins this week, what are the key questions for coach Lane Kiffin and his staff?
Here are three big ones.
Who makes up Ole Miss football's best offensive line?
The Globe Bowl's limited football itinerary provided no information about the Rebels' offense and defense other than how many hot dogs they could eat.
And the media viewing period during spring training showed this to be a puzzle that wasn't that close to being solved.
This is a good problem for the Rebels, who return three starting offensive linemen and four experienced players, including three power conference starters and two members of the Washington offensive line that played in the national championship game. Added option to transfer portal.
If Ole Miss can retain all of these players through the spring transfer portal, it will enter 2024 with outstanding depth. That wasn't the case last season, when the Rebels fielded a mediocre offensive line that became a complete problem in the second half of the season due to a rash of injuries.
Determining the best starting unit up front will be one of the most important story lines of preseason practice.
What is Santalin Perkins' role in Ole Miss football?
Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding expected his role to expand to more positions this winter after Santalin Perkins filled the “Jack” Edge rushing role as a true freshman.
Perkins was recruited as a linebacker, but the Rebels lined him up on the edge to improve his on-field athleticism while he worked to understand the more complex linebacker role. Golding explained.
“Now that we have him, I think we need to simplify it,” Golding said in December.
Although Goulding was not available to the media about Perkins' progress this spring, the Raleigh, Mississippi, native is the Rebels' most improved defensive player this spring, along with fellow rising sophomore Jamarius Brown. was selected.
For now, Perkins' position outlook appears to be in a holding pattern. He said he thinks he will play as a “jack” with middle linebacker looming “in the future.” It is unclear how many miles remain on this journey.
Outside the box:How Lane Kiffin further explains his value to Ole Miss football in innovative spring game
Who is the answer at running back for Ole Miss football?
The Rebels spent this spring giving running back reps to players who weren't expected to contribute much this fall. Ulysses Bentley IV has returned and is recovering from an injury. Ole Miss hopes LSU transfer Logan Diggs will be able to play at some point in 2024, but not right now.
Kiffin, a master of the transfer portal, has expressed a desire to look outward.
“Free agency will be coming soon,” he said in March. “If you looked outside and looked at our running back position, we would attack free agency at that spot, just like we do in the NFL. That's the reality. is.”
Miami running back Henry Parrish Jr. will reportedly have his name in the transfer portal this spring. He started his career at Ole Miss under current Rebels running backs coach Kevin Smith and followed him to Miami. Parrish rushed for 625 yards on 100 carries last season.
David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email deckert@gannett.com or find us on Twitter @davideckert98.
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