news
The offensive line also includes two new starters - left tackle Bradley Sowell and right guard Brandon Green.
The experience factor up front was one consideration in the decision to not to try too many new things on offense this camp, Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said Monday at his first game-week press conference.
The No. 8-ranked Rebels open the season at Memphis at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
"We didn't go full overblown with adding a lot of stuff, but we've added just enough wrinkles that we think can help us," Nutt said.
New plays aside, Nutt is confident that Sowell and Green can do the job on the basic plays too.
The quest for depth, however, has been a constant drumbeat along the line. It became evident early that freshman Bobby Massie would take some time to develop. Massie had been running second team behind Sowell but was moved to right tackle behind senior John Jerry mid-way through camp.
Junior college transfer Logan Clair replaced Massie at second-team left tackle, but on the first game-week depth chart Clair did not appear on the two-deep roster.
"We talked to him before the season, but we didn't know if we'd be able to redshirt him," said Nutt, who would like to see Clair increase his strength.
Clair, who went through spring drills, could still play in a pinch this season.
Third-year sophomore Alex Washington is listed as the No. 2 left tackle, but if a body is needed it would likely be guard Reid Neely moving over. Third-year sophomore Rishaw Johnson is another possibility.
The first guard off the bench, on either side, will be freshman A.J. Hawkins.
"We're not solid in our second group," offensive line coach Mike Markuson said. "We feel like we have the answers at each spot if something happens, and we're ready to go with it."
Redshirt at WR but Grandy isn't one
In addition to Clair at tackle, Nutt said he expects to redshirt freshman wide receivers Ja-Mes Logan and Terrell Grant.
Freshman wide receiver Jesse Grandy will play a role "in different parts of the game," Nutt said.
Grandy is being groomed as a possible 2010 replacement for senior Dexter McCluster as the Wild Rebel.
"He does some of the things that Dexter does," says wide receivers coach Ron Dickerson.
Grandy rushed for more than 1,800 yards and passed for more than 1,000 as a high school senior. He has the ball-handling skills that Nutt and staff look for first in a Wild Rebel candidate. At 5-11, 155 pounds he has a build similar to McCluster before McCluster gained strength.
Significant snaps for Hardy
Nutt praised the camp of senior defensive end Greg Hardy and said Hardy will play "significant snaps" in his home city, Memphis.
Hardy was held out of much of practice throughout August as he rested his surgically repaired right foot.
"We're excited to get him on the field. I want him to get confidence in his foot, and hopefully he'll be as good as ever," Nutt said.
A preseason All-American, Hardy had 18 tackles, 9 1-2 tackles for loss and 8 1-2 sacks in very limited action last year.
Harris, Bolden return
Tight end Gerald Harris and tailback Brandon Bolden, starters at their positions, both practiced in Sunday's light workout. Both had missed several days hamstring injuries. They are expected to be full-speed when the Rebels resume work today. The team was off Monday.
Special teams battles
Senior Justin Sparks survived a challenge from strong-legged freshman Tyler Campbell and will be the starting punter.
The kickoff duties will go to freshman Andrew Ritter.
Bolden and tailback Cordera Eason will be the first two backs deep on kick returns, and senior Marshay Green will be the punt returner.
Post a Comment
