'Don't Sleep on the Rebels': Greg McElroy Believes Ole Miss Could Surprise People in 2023
OXFORD, Miss. -- It has been well-documented that the Ole Miss Rebels have a daunting football schedule this fall. With road matchups versus the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, and Mississippi State Bulldogs (on top two home games versus the LSU Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks) it is hard to like the Rebels' odds for success in 2023.
However, former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy does not think the Rebels should be taken lightly this upcoming season. Recently on his daily podcast, McElroy took time to break down Ole Miss' roster and explained why he likes the Rebels this year.
"Lane Kiffin has done a really good job in the [NCAA Transfer] Portal," McElroy said. "Not just at the quarterback spot, but at other positions as well. I think they have difference-makers potentially at tight end, I think they have difference-makers at receiver, and I also think they might have the nation's best running back in Quinshon Judkins."
While Lane Kiffin has not named his starting quarterback yet for the 2023 season, whoever wins the battle will have the pleasure of conducting one of the most talented offenses in college football. Former transfer Caden Prieskorn and Michael Trigg could become a dynamic duo at the tight end position if they can both stay on the field and Ole Miss' receiver room has been reloaded thanks to the portal. Zakhari Franklin and Tre Harris headline the Ole Miss wideouts with returning seniors Jordan Watkins and Dayton Wade.
To top it all off, the Rebels have the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year on their roster in running back Quinshon Judikins. After leading the SEC in rushing yards (1,567), rushing touchdowns (16), and carries (274) as a true freshman, McElroy thinks Judkins is ready to take the next step and become the best tailback in the country.
McElroy then discussed the Ole Miss defense, and while that side of the ball has hampered the Rebels in recent years, he expressed hope for the unit this season.
"[The Rebels] have brought in Pete Golding from Alabama," McElroy said. “[Golding] is going to alter the structure [of the defense], alter the way they line up, down to down. They're not going to be soft and give up underneath stuff and play dink and dunk, bend don't break. This is going to be a group that attacks... I think the front seven has a chance to be in the top end of the SEC."
It may not happen immediately, but Pete Golding is going to revitalize the Ole Miss defense. Ole Miss defensive linemen Iaasac Ukwu and Jared Ivey were rated as the No. 2 and No. 6 returning edge rushers in the SEC, respectively, and defensive back Deshawn Gaddie was graded as the No. 1 returning cornerback in the conference.
If everything can click for the Rebels on the defensive side of the ball, McElroy thinks they could turn heads.
"Don't sleep on the Rebels," McElroy said.
You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.
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