Lane Kiffin (HC) – You either love him or you hate him. The Rebel’s head coach is entertaining if nothing else, but so far in 2023, the Ole Miss Head Coach has had his most successful season since arriving in Oxford. Kiffin is known for being one of the best in the business when it comes to offensive-play calling, however, this season, the Rebel’s head coach has made significant improvements to his defense, allowing Ole Miss to be in the thick of the SEC West title chase late in the season. One of the biggest criticisms of Lane Kiffin is his inability to win the marquee matchup. Ole Miss beat a highly ranked LSU team earlier in the year and if Kiffin can find a way to beat the Bulldogs in Athens, that will certainly silence the critics.
Jaxson Dart (QB #2) – After an eventful offseason for the Rebels that resulted in a multitude of incoming transfers, including two newcomers at the quarterback position, Dart remained unphased, and retained his starting position. So far this season, the talented quarterback has thrown for 2,467 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. The Ole Miss signal caller has been extremely effective utilizing his legs, something Lane Kiffin has heavily relied upon within the redzone. Dart is one of the best quarterbacks the Bulldogs will face all season, and an upset in Athens lies within the hands of the Southern Cal transfer.
Quinshon Judkins (RB #4) – In his freshman season, Judkins accounted for over 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns, shattering just about every rushing record in Ole Miss history. His sophomore campaign has not been quite as prolific on the stat sheet, although Judkins has still rushed for 793 yards and 12 touchdowns. Judkins remains one of the most feared backs in the SEC. The Rebel rusher is a balanced player who has excellent vision and speed to beat defenses to the outside. He is also a powerful interior runner and, like Cody Schrader for Missouri, tough to tackle. Limiting Judkins production is a priority for the Bulldog defense.
Jordan Watkins (WR #11) – Watkins is having his most productive season as a Rebel in his fourth year of college football. The talented pass catcher started his career in Louisville, Kentucky playing for the Cardinals, but has grown into the Ole Miss offense with much success. Watkins is currently Jaxson Dart’s favorite target leading the Rebels in catches with 44 on the year. Lane Kiffin is one of the most skilled play callers in college football, and it should be expected that he draws up multiple plays to get the ball into the talented receiver’s hands. Watch out for No. 11 this Saturday.
Trey Washington (S #25) – Washington is currently one of the Rebels’ top tacklers with 59 so far in 2023 while also being tied for second in interceptions with two. Washington was originally committed to Ole Miss as a cornerback, but the talented player’s ability to come downfield and make plays with his pads prompted a change to safety. It’s safe to say Washington is one of the beneficiaries of Pete Golding’s defensive changes, and it’s fair to expect the veteran leader will have a big impact this Saturday in Athens.
Ashanti Cistrunk (LB #36) – Cistrunk currently leads all Ole Miss linebackers with 49 tackles on the year ranking second on the team behind Washington. The physical linebacker is coming off a solid performance against Texas A&M where he accounted for five total tackles in a monumental win that keeps Ole Miss’s SEC Championship hopes alive. The senior is a veteran leader in a young, but talented, Ole Miss linebacker room.
Jared Ivey (DE #15) – The Rebels versus the Bulldogs will certainly be a meaningful one for Jared Ivey who is a Suwanee, Georgia native. The defensive end is Rebels’ most effective pass rusher’ having accounted for five and half sacks on the season. Ole Miss has had far more success in 2023 getting to the passer, and if the Rebels want to keep Georgia behind the sticks and limit the Bulldogs’ offensive production, they will need to rely on Ivey’s pass rushing skills to get Beck to the ground.
David Dellucci is one of the best players in Ole Miss baseball history, and he went on to enjoy a 13-year Major League career, highlighted by the 2001 World Series title with the Diamondbacks.
Gerald Glass is amongst the Rebels best ever basketball players, finishing fourth in the nation in scoring as a junior and sixth on the Ole Miss career chart despite playing just two years.
The greatest football coach in Ole Miss is the legendary Hall of Famer Johnny Vaught, who guided the Rebels to six SEC championships and 14 straight bowls from 1957-1970.