Ole Miss Rebels Spring Report

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

It's football time once again.

As BleacherReport.com's community leader for Ole Miss sports, we will get some in-depth looks at a potential top 10 preseason team in Ole Miss.  After dismantling Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl 47-34, expectations are high in Oxford.

Can Jevan Snead lead Ole Miss to an SEC title and possibly a national title contender?  How will Ole Miss hold up with the losses of Michael Oher and Peria Jerry?  Can Ole Miss surge through the first of their schedule, a part that haunted the Rebels in 2008, and continue their run that they ended the season with?

We will answer all those questions this year, but today here's a spring practice report.

Quarterbacks

Jevan Snead has continued where he left off after the Cotton Bowl, but some has criticized that he is struggling a bit. Of course he has struggled, Ole Miss has one of the best returning defenses in the country. 

Is everyone forgetting the Cotton Bowl?  After spotting Texas Tech 14 points, we went on to dominate their ‘unstoppable spread offense’ the whole game.  Jevan will be fine.  

Nathan Stanley has impressed, but will it be enough to overtake senior Billy Tapp’s position?  Experience or future?  I think Stanley eventually takes Tapp’s position as the backup, but I think Tapp gets a chance to start on Saturday.  Tapp has plenty of experience, but for obvious reasons, Nathan Stanley is the future of the program it looks like. 

Runningbacks

Cordera Eason and Brandon Bolden seem to be the favorites here for the starting position.  Bolden showed out in the Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech, rushing for 101 yards on 11 carries and 1 TD.  Eason will be the senior, but it is believed that Bolden could wrap up the starting spot.

After Eason and Bolden, there might be a surprise brewing.  Devin Thomas, a former Army All-American, looks to grab the #3 RB spot after being left out of the loop last season.  It could be all speculation at this point, but sources say that Thomas has really turned some heads during the spring and have caused coaches to reorder the depth chart.

After that, Enrique Davis and Andre Sterling seem to be battling for #4 and #5.  It's a bid surprising that the former five star recruit Davis could fall so low on the depth chart, but he has to show that he can compete in the SEC game in and game out.  Consistency is the key, and Davis could show something in the spring game to skyrocket the depth chart. 

Dexter McCluster will be a key as a rusher, but a majority of the time, not out of the backfield.  One of Ole Miss's main components, the 'Wild Rebel', will make it's return with McCluster returning for the 'QB' position, so to say.  Last season, McCluster racked up 655 yards and 6 TDs, keeping opponent's defenses at bay. 

Wide Receivers

Wide receivers seem to be a definite strength coming into the spring.  Dexter McCluster and Shay Hodge obviously lead the way, but players such as Lionel Breaux, Markeith Summers, and Andrew Harris have really turned the corner in their development and look to be prominent players next fall. 

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