Rebels' Ladarius Tennison Talks Defending 'Electrifying' LSU QB Jayden Daniels
OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels were able to successfully contain Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the first half of last Saturday's contest before the Crimson Tide pulled away to secure a 24-10 victory in Week 4.
Dual-threat quarterbacks have given the Rebels trouble in the past, but Ole Miss' new defense under Pete Golding kept Alabama's mobile signal-caller in check, as Milroe registered a season-low 28 rushing yards on 16 carries.
Milroe was just a warm-up, however, as No. 20 Ole Miss is set to host the No. 13 LSU Tigers in Week 5, a team led by one of the most athletic quarterbacks in college football: Jayden Daniels.
In 2022, Daniels had a field day against the Rebels, throwing for 248 yards and two touchdowns, while contributing 121 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.
Ole Miss linebacker/safety Ladarius Tennison was on the field when Daniels dismantled the Rebels last season, and compared his game to Milroe's while previewing the LSU quarterback during his media availability on Tuesday.
"The guy we're playing this week is more electrifying and shifter, but has the same speed as [Milroe]," Tennison told reporters. "We're just going to have to work on our tackling this week and contain [Daniels]."
Ole Miss Rebels Ladarius Tennison takes the field versus the Kentucky Wildcats in 2022.
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Tennison recalled playing Daniels in Baton Rouge in 2022.
"He was very slippery," Tennison said. "He can throw the ball well in the pocket, but he can also run it."
Through the first four games of the 2023 season, Ole Miss' defense has shown flashes in every game but is struggling to remain consistent at times. Tennison discussed what the group needs to work on as the Rebels get into the meat of their schedule.
"One thing we have to improve is our tackling," Tennison said. "We need to do a little better on our coverage, but I think we're doing a good job at flying to the ball and playing together as a team."
Tennison arrived at Ole Miss as a transfer ahead of the 2022 season, and after playing primarily as a defensive back last year, has taken on a hybrid role as an outside linebacker/safety. Tennison has become a chess piece in Golding's defense and loves showing off his versatility.
"[I love] just being able to move around, show value, and do what I can do," Tennison said. "I can fit in the box with my size and still cover well. It just shows that I can do a little bit of everything."
Kickoff between Ole Miss and LSU on Saturday is set for 5 p.m. CT on ESPN.
