Offensive Line Coming Along

Ole Miss offensive line coach Matt Luke says the Rebels are still "a couple guys away from where you want to be," but that he has more field-ready players available than in his first two seasons on the job. The key battles right now are at center, between Ben Still and Robert Conyers, and at the reserve tackle spots, where Conyers is in the mix as the 3rd tackle, rotating behind  starters Laremy Tunsil and Fahn Cooper. Davion Johnson and Daronte Bouldin are also working to be the 4th tackle in the rotation.

Freshman Rod Taylor is working at guard, where he will spell starters Aaron Morris or Justin Bell.

As I've said all summer long, this position group more so than any other will determine just how far Ole Miss can go this season. The defensive fronts the Rebels will face against LSU, Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State will try to dictate the tempo of the Ole Miss offense by stifling the running game and pressuring Bo Wallace, much like last year. Luke thinks his line will be better at getting a push for the running backs this year thanks to the sophomore leap of Tunsil and the addition of Cooper at right tackle. If Luke is right, and this unit than can stand up to the toughest SEC lines then the Rebels have a chance to go really, really far. If not, then you should probably reduce your expectations accordingly.

Here's Luke talking about his line:


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