Ole Miss is closing in on kickoff, and a few names are starting to separate themselves as the Rebels move from camp mode toward game-week prep.
The ninth-ranked Rebels are nine days out from facing No. 24 Louisville, and head coach Pete Golding said Monday that this stretch is still a blend of preparation and evaluation.
“It was good to get through camp so to say,” Golding said Monday. “It’s nice to dive in to where ‘Alright, here’s an opponent outside of our offense’ to get into a routine for me of what’s that going to look like.
This is kind of a hybrid week for us. It’s not going to be all on game week mode.
We’re going to have a mock game this weekend and simulate some things, but we still have a lot of guys we got to get in the can-do category. We’re still going to do some good on good and some competition things to create opportunity for some of those guys.”
That has made the final practice week a useful one for sorting out who’s climbing. Three Rebels, in particular, have pushed their way onto the rise.
Caleb Cunningham is one of them. The five-star freshman never looked like an easy bet to take over a major role last season, especially with De’Zhaun Stribling, Harrison Wallace, Cayden Lee and Deuce Alexander all in front of him at receiver. He finished his true freshman year with one catch for 19 yards in three games.
Now the picture looks different. Three of those four receivers are gone, and Cunningham is back healthy after dealing with a nagging hamstring injury earlier this offseason. Golding said the sophomore has started to look like the player Ole Miss expected when it landed him.
“I think once you get past the Horatio’s of the world, the Cook’s of the world and Deuce’s of the world - the other one to me is Caleb Cunningham’s finally back healthy,” Golding said earlier this week. “I think he’s a different presence than we’ve had out there.
I think he is who we expected him to be here over a year ago. Been really nice to get him back out and healthy.
He’s just a different body type.”
Luke Hasz is another Rebel drawing attention. The senior tight end has reportedly been tough to handle in one-on-ones, losing very few route-running battles, and he has emerged as one of Trinidad Chambliss’ favorite targets this summer.
At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Hasz said he’s leaning into his frame and his role in every phase of the game.
“Just using my size to my advantage. Whether that be with blocking with good technique and just having a high motor.
Some of that is going to be doing a good job when the ball isn’t in my hands. When the time comes to make a play I’m going to do everything I can to make it,” Hasz told Ole Miss On SI this month.
After an injury derailed his first season in Oxford, Hasz appears set up for a much stronger follow-up.
The final name on the list is Edwin Joseph, a senior transfer from Florida State who arrived with a clear résumé. In 10 games for the Seminoles last season, Joseph posted three interceptions, five pass deflections, 37 tackles and one forced fumble.
Ole Miss lost Wydett Williams and needs another impact presence in the back end, and Joseph has looked the part since returning from the injury that kept him out of spring. Golding and defensive coordinator Bryan Brown both have a specific vision for what he can bring, and one inside source told Ole Miss On SI that Joseph could be the Rebels’ “best overall” defender this season.
From Cunningham to Hasz to Joseph, the trend line is pointing up as Ole Miss inches toward Louisville.
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Colorado Is Suddenly Battling SEC Turf For An Elite Lineman
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Offensive line coach Gunnar White has been central to that push. A Mississippi native, White has been active in the state and has already helped Colorado land several commitments, giving the Buffaloes a real presence in a region where Ole Miss usually expects to fend off plenty of outside interest. With Colorado still building its line through recruiting and transfers, keeping an eye on where this one goes will matter well beyond this single decision. [Read more 🡒]