Offense | Projecting the 2021 starting lineup

It is a long way to the Sept. 6, season opener versus Louisville, and there is spring practice and an off-season to go. Today, however, we'll take a look at what we project as the Rebels' starting lineup on the offensive side of the football heading into a season full of great expectations. We warn, while some positions are undoubtedly settled, there is much water remaining to flow under the bridge at several spots. We will certainly re-visit these projections time and time again as the off-season manifests with the expected additions of transfers and the developments of newcomers and underclassmen on the roster.

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                                            Matt Corral (Photo: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)
 
Quarterback | Matt Corral
The Skinny: There is no discussion here, as Corral is widely considered one of the top returning quarterbacks in the college game. This is his offense and he fits Lane Kiffin's and coordinator Jeff Lebby's system like a glove. For the first time in his college career, Corral enters a season within the same offensive framework and with the same coordinator. The biggest question at quarterback is who will be his likely backup, because we don't believe it will be John Rhys Plumlee (see below). There is Kinkead Dent and true freshman Luke Altmyer behind him.

Running Back | Jerrion Ealy
The Skinny: Ealy will probably miss spring practice after having off-season shoulder surgery, but the All-SEC performer is a proven commodity. Running back is a rotational position, so Snoop Conner and Henry Parrish will get plenty of snaps, as well. Ealy, though, has a firm hold on being the premier pair of legs (and hands) coming out of the Rebel backfield, which should be among the best in the SEC.

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                                                John Rhys Plumlee (Photo: John Bowen, 247Sports)
 
Wide Receiver | Braylon Sanders
Wide Receiver | Dontario Drummond
Slot Receiver | John Rhys Plumlee
The Skinny: Ole Miss lost All-America slot receiver Elijah Moore, whose talents aren't easily replaced, but it is not like the Rebels are void of talent in the receivers room. In fact, we'd argue that this group remains extremely talented and capable. Sanders owns big-play ability and we have watched Drummond grow into an SEC pass catcher since transferring from junior college. Plumlee, if he decides to stick things out, could be dynamic in the slot, as he proved during the Outback Bowl. There is plenty of talent behind these three with junior college transfer Qua Davis, Jonathan Mingo, Dannis Jackson, Jadon Jackson and former all-CUSA transfer Jahcour Pearson. Davis, Mingo and Pearson are expected to challenge for starting roles. Newbie Brandon Buckhalter arrived on campus in January and could certainly fight his way into the rotation.

Tight End | Chase Rogers
The Skinny: We would have went with Casey Kelly if not for his unfortunate off-season knee injury. Since we don't know when Kelly will become fully serviceable next fall, we're going with Rogers, who once upon a time earned all-Sun Belt honors as a tight end, before transferring to Ole Miss. We expect redshirt freshman Damarucs Thomas in the mix, as well as newly-arrived true freshman Hudson Wolfe. Of course, there remains the possibility next season's starting tight end has yet to arrive on campus, possibly through the transfer portal.

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                                                            Ben Brown (Photo: OMA)

Left Tackle | Nick Broeker
Left Guard | Caleb Warren
Center | Ben Brown
Right Guard | Jeremy James
Right Tackle | Cedric Melton
The Skinny: The offensive line should be a position of strength, as four of five starters return. The only vacant spot heading into spring practice is at right tackle where NFL hopeful Royce Newman must be replaced. We're hedging our bets and projecting redshirt freshman Cedric Melton here, though that is far from a foregone conclusion. It could easily be redshirt freshman Eli Acker who prevails. There is also the potential scenario of moving Jeremy James from his right guard spot out to the edge and inserting late bloomer Jalen Cunningham into the lineup at guard. We'll have eyes peeled here when spring practice rolls around.


SOURCE: Johnson, David. "Offense | Projecting the 2021 starting lineup." OMSpirit.com, 25 January 2021, 
https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Ole-Miss-Football-Offense-Projecting-the-2021-starting-lineup-159902834/