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Young RBs Highlight Ole Miss’ Camp

By Freddie Vickers
SouthernPigskin.com
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The Rebels have talent on offense, but what remains to be seen is if they can find a signal caller to lead this offense.

When Hugh Freeze accepted the job as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, he knew he would be in for some growing pains.  The Rebels were about as bad in 2011 as any college football team in the country.  Moving forward to 2012 and the start of fall camp, Freeze knew that quarterback would be a position of emphasis.  2011 quarterback Randall Mackey was moved to wide receiver in the spring, but has now been moved to running back.

As fall camp moves forward, the battle between Barry Brunetti and Bo Wallace could go down to game week.  Neither Brunetti nor Wallace have moved into the lead for the starting quarterback position.  Both did, however, look decent in leading scoring drives in Saturday’s scrimmage.

“We weren’t bad, I’d like to watch the film,” Freeze said when talking about both of his quarterbacks. 

Wallace finished Ole Miss’ second scrimmage completing 13 of 26 passes for one touchdown and one interception.  He also ran for a touchdown. 

If there has been a bright spot for the Rebels, it has been at the running back position.  I’Tavius Mathers carried the ball 13 times for 100 yards and two scores.  Senior Randall Mackey, who will likely be the starter, carried the ball four times for 45 yards.  Freshman Jaylen Walton should also see playing time in 2012.

“Im crazy about our two young running backs,” Freeze stated. 

Another offensive bright spot is the play of Donte Moncrief.  The sophomore wide receiver caught five passes for 39 yards and a touchdown during the latest scrimmage.  Moncrief returns after a freshman season in which he caught 31 passes for 454 yards and four touchdowns. 

The Rebels have talent on offense, but what remains to be seen is if they can find a signal caller to lead this offense.  With the new spread system employed by Freeze, either Wallace or Brunetti will have to step forward if Ole Miss is to improve on a 2-10 2011 season. 

Freddie Vickers - Freddie Vickers is an Army veteran and a graduate of Jacksonville State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He is a graduate of Complete Game Broadcasting and his love for college football led him to search for a job outside of the corporate world. Freddie is a gym rat who works out 5-6 days a week, but his ultimate pleasure is sitting on the couch on Saturdays and catching all of the action on the gridiron. Freddie will cover the SEC West for Southern Pigskin. He can be reached at djvic9@gmail.com.