AU FOOTBALL 2008: Improvement expected at Ole Miss

By Collin Mickle

Published: July 3, 2008

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the ninth in a series previewing Auburn’s 2008 football opponents. This week: Ole Miss (Nov. 1). The series will run weekly.

Ed Orgeron tirelessly predicted this day would come.

Unfortunately, the former Ole Miss coach isn’t in Oxford, Miss., to see it.

Three strong seasons of recruiting by Orgeron have left Ole Miss with a roster that is, on paper, the Rebels’ most talented in years. New coach Houston Nutt, who replaced Orgeron after the latter was fired last November, will reap the benefits.

Now, 15 starters return to a feisty team that finished 3-9 last season, but lost three games by a total of 12 points.

After four losing seasons, it’s tough to say expectations are high in Oxford. But the Rebels have hope for the future — including the immediate future.

It all starts with sophomore quarterback Jevan Snead. One of the biggest “recruits” of the Orgeron era, Snead transferred from Texas in 2006 and sat out last year.

He’s ready to play now. And if his performance in spring practice is any indication, Snead is set to be the Rebels’ best quarterback in years. That’s not a particularly high bar, of course: Micheal Spurlock, Brent Schaeffer and Seth Adams, the quarterbacks of the Orgeron era, never became SEC-caliber starters.

Snead should be different.

Unfortunately for Snead, his supporting cast is more or less the same lackluster group that never really stepped up for Schaeffer and Adams last year.

Three of last year’s top four receivers return, including starters Shay Hodge and Mike Wallace, who combined for 81 catches in 2007. There’s some new blood, too — notably sophomore Lionel Breaux. Breaux didn’t break into the rotation last season, but the former Louisiana high-school sprint champion could be a big-play threat in Nutt’s offense.

Sophomore Markeith Summers will also be expected to step up this season after starting three games in 2007 and finishing without a single reception.

Nutt made his name at Arkansas with powerful rushing attacks, and he’s expected to do the same at Ole Miss. Of course, the Rebels don’t have anyone nearly as talented as two-time Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden, the face of Nutt’s last three Arkansas teams.

But 5-foot-10, 224-pound junior Cordera Eason has potential. Eason had just three carries last season as BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ backup, but earned the starting job with a solid spring.

Star recruit Enrique Davis, a former Auburn signee, should also contend for playing time, assuming he qualifies academically.

Four starters return on the offensive line, including star tackle Michael Oher. Oher, an All-Southeastern Conference selection, turned down the NFL draft to return for his senior season. Improving left guard Reed Neely is back beside Oher.

The right side of the line has seen a shakeup, with senior Maurice Miller moving from right tackle to right guard while junior John Jerry moves in the opposite direction. Junior center David Geralds is the only new starter.

Last season, Ole Miss’ defense paid the price for the offense’s ineffectiveness. Despite plenty of talent, the Rebels ranked last in the SEC in total defense and 11th in scoring defense, thanks largely to the offense’s turnovers and three-and-outs.

With an expected improvement on offense, the defense should be able to live up to its potential in 2008.

Defensive end Greg Hardy was the brightest spot on defense last season. Hardy finished with 64 tackles and 10 sacks last year despite playing in just 10 games. With a better supporting cast, Hardy could emerge as a national star this year.

Junior Marcus Tillman, the other starting end, underachieved last year: He managed just 41 tackles and didn’t record a sack.

All-SEC noseguard Peria Jerry is back in the middle, next to sophomore Ted Laurent. Ole Miss fans hope longtime recruit Jerrell Powe — who originally signed with the Rebels in 2005 — can finally become eligible in time for this season, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Senior Ashlee Palmer leads a talented but thin corps of linebackers. Palmer, last year’s leading tackler, will lead the defense from the weakside linebacker spot.

Sophomore Jonathan Cornell moves to middle linebacker after starting on the strongside last year.

Former safety Allen Walker parlayed a big spring into the starting strongside job — for now. If junior-college transfer Patrick Trahan — a former Auburn player — can qualify academically, Trahan will be the favorite to claim that starting spot.

The defensive backfield features plenty of familiar faces, including one in a new place. Junior Marshay Green was the Rebels’ third-leading receiver last season, but switched to defense in the spring. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder looks set to start at cornerback, alongside senior Dustin Mouzon.  Junior Cassius Vaughn will also push for playing time at corner.

Starting safeties Jamarca Sanford and Johnny Brown are back. The two combined for 143 tackles last season.

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