When Ole Miss Football Resumes: The Offensive Linemen


                                                                                                    Royce Newman (Photo: John Bowen, 247Sports)

A cursory look at the candidates for the Ole Miss offensive line when football returns shows a good blend of experience, youth ready to move to the next level and youth that needs more maturing but has potential.

There seems to be only two issues of concern, but they are typical of the Ole Miss offensive line “experience” – depth and uncertainty, for now, at one position.

Spring training was supposed to put a rush job on development for two or three players and have them ready to compete in the fall, but without the benefit of spring, the Rebel big men are looking at skirmishing with seven, maybe eight if everything goes right, players.

At left tackle, Nick Broeker, who split time there last year as a true freshman and showed a lot of ability, moxy and all-star potential, seems to have a firm grasp on the most important position – protecting the blind side – on the OL. The 6-4, 300-pounder has an NFL look and is set for a breakout year. Expect great things from Nick.

Left guard is the question mark. Is it time for sophomore Jalen Cunningham, a 365-pounder, to take charge of that slot? He’s certainly big enough, strong enough and has enough movement and toughness, but it’s time for him to move to another level, which only experience can provide. Unfortunately, he did not get that in spring, which was to be his proving ground with the new coaches.

Redshirt freshman Caleb Warren and old head Chandler Tuitt will also battle for that spot. Warren has the physical tools and is a really good athlete, but he’s very green. Meanwhile, it’s now or never for senior Tuitt.

Right now, our money is on Cunningham emerging and Warren being the third guard in the rotation.

At center, Eli Johnson is the returning starter and will start next season, without question, but his charge and challenge is to learn a new offense thoroughly so he can make line calls, set the tempo and make sure everyone up front is doing their jobs as well as him doing his own.

A pair of redshirt freshmen – Bryce Ramsey and Carter Colquitt – back up Johnson and prior to the lockdown there was a good competition developing there to see who would be number two. Ramsey is more of an anchor guys at 350 pounds while Colquitt is probably a bit better athlete. Both has shown they can be good replacements for senior Johnson when the time comes, provided they continue progressing.

Right guard is being held down, for the third year now, by Ben Brown, arguably the bell cow of the offensive line. He’s proven to be the total package. He can also sub for Johnson at center when needed while the youngsters develop. Ben, like Broeker, has a real shot at the NFL when the time comes.

Brown is backed up by Hamilton Hall, a 330-pound sophomore who was starting to come around some at the end of last year and shows promise. He may be someone who pushes Warren for the third guard slot.

Senior Royce Newman moves from left guard to right tackle, or so it looks like from earlier reports prior to the lockdown. Newman is having to not only play with a different stance, he’s going from playing lefty to righty, but prior to his journey at LG last season, Royce has always played right tackle, so the transition should be smooth.

Most likely, redshirt frosh Jeremy James, who started out strong last season but got a little overwhelmed as the campaign progressed, will be the third tackle if he continues with his forward development.

Redshirt freshman Darius Thomas, the 6-6 340-pounder, is still being evaluated to see if he will be medically cleared to play after sitting out last year with a heart condition. The last we heard, doctors are hopeful for a return, but it has not happened yet.

The bottom line is it looks like four positions are basically settled as for starters in LT Broeker, C Johnson, RG Brown and RT Newman. Left guard looks to have a leader in Cunningham, but Warren is pushing him.

It also looks like, if Cunningham wins the battle at LG, Warren will likely be the third guard and James will be the third tackle.

A seven-man rotation is likely, as of now, but one or two more on the OL could develop. . . .

. . . . when football resumes at Ole Miss.

SOURCE: Rounsaville, Chuck. "When Ole Miss Football Resumes: The Offensive Linemen."  OMSpirit - 247Sports.com, 27 April 2020, https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/When-Ole-Miss-Football-Resumes-The-Offensive-Linemen-146536042/