2007 Statistics

In the new era, the offense really won’t change that much, except for how the pass will be leaned upon more and more as Jevan Snead develops. In a Houston Nutt offense where coordinator and No.2 all-time Rebel passer Kent Austin will oversee everything but the play calling (Nutt is handling that), the shape of the new-look offense will be built around the Texas transfer who sat out last year per NCAA requirements. Snead was the No.3 dual-threat recruit in 2006 but lost the competition for Vince Young’s job to Colt McCoy…like most players who know they are too good to sit and wait indefinitely, we find Snead the clear starter here in Oxford. The staff is playing its cards slowly, keeping what they show prior to the first snaps against Memphis close to the chest, so to speak. Tapp will be tapped early to see what the second-stringer has in case of emergency. Hopefully, his strong arm and durable running approach can offer a change of pace from the leaner build of Snead. Nate Stanley is likely redshirted, but if he isn’t put off for further development, injuries to Snead and Tapp mean the newbie gets his first legitimate chance. The offense would suffer during Stanley’s trial-by-fire.

The rushing attack has talent, but lacks experience. Meridian’s Cordera Eason heard promises from the former regime that he would be brought along, but he had to wait until this year to be given a real shot. Having turned down Auburn, big Cordera will bring it to bear on any wanna-be tacklers. Auburn wanted and even signed a LOI from the nation’s top prep school back, Enrique Davis, but his grades have landed him here. Along with Derrick Davis (no relation) and incumbent fullback Jared Cook, this team has a corner on the big, hulking backs (Hartmann too). No small, scat-type will hurt, so expect someone to eventually fill the shifty role.

The line has to bank on experience and the new schemes for improvements. Four of the starters are the same, and Mike Oher coming back is the biggest boon from a personnel standpoint. John Jerry bumping back outside (to the position he played in high school) looks like a better fit than it was for Miller. Miller switching inside will help, but can Jerry handle the rush ends of the SEC better? Along with new hat Daverin Geralds, this switch-off is the main concern up front. Neely will keep developing by playing next to Oher…it seemed to rub off last year, so expect Neely’s upside to keep revealing itself. Harris started at center in 2005 and then at tackle in ’06. He gives Austin and Nutt a versatile man who can help wherever the need may arise. TEs Traxler and Harris are mostly pushers.

These WRs have more to offer as targets, especially big Shay Hodge, the team leader for catches as a mere reserve. Deep threat Wallace is ready to fly. Hicks can also prove to be a field stretcher with his size, and that size could easily slip him past McCluster for his downfield blocking. The passing game will ramp up as Snead feels more and more comfortable. Hi decision making skills will be a major pivot for how well this offense can become.

Tyrone Nix at the defensive helm is a good thing. Like on offense, all the ways that the D has recently drooped will have a good chance to bounce back in relatively little time. The talent is in place, but getting it to gel, and then effectively handle what the SEC annually throws at its members will be a tall order. The biggest jump should be in the line’s performance. Greg Hardy is already in place for former Outland Trophy winner (1988, Auburn) and DL coach Tracy Rocker to build around. Hardy’s breakout sophomore year proves he has to be marked every play. The best tackle in 2007, Peria Jerry, benefits from the distraction and can bounce outside effectively. But this senior gets even another Rebel monster to pull linemen from his immediate space – man-child Jerrell Powe. Powe’s story took him to perennial powerhouse Hardgrave in 2005 after signing here since his grades weren’t there yet. Then Powe was held up for the past two years awaiting NCAA clearance, and he was forced to enroll in classes in Oxford without participating in any practices last year. Finally, the 340-pounder with 4.8 speed and superior footwork has been cleared to play. This line is as good as any in the land, but having it all come together for higher than a 40th ranking in run stopping might be dreaming too big.

Ex-DB Allen Walker is the guy good enough to start, passing a former starter who is now behind him on the two-deep. Palmer led the team in tackles and seems solid at SLB. Cornell was slated to replace Patrick Willis but got sidelined by a shoulder injury. Four-year Iraqi vet Fein filled in nicely at MIKE, and he had a huge JUCO year prior to last year’s impressive performance. Trahan (another guy who started out at Auburn) is this year’s junior college find. (Also the LB coach) Nix has to be excited for the possibilities knowing his line is going to be able to handle itself without extra help from the LBs.

Outside coverage has had its troubles, so Ole Miss will move its third-leading receiver, Marshay Green, to corner (a position he’s never played). His skill package fits nicely. Corners Mouzan and Vaughn have gambled and won, but each has gambled and lost much of the time, too. What Johnny Brown did in just his first campaign was enough to make us think the entire safety unit will be at least a notch better. Compliment SS Jamarca Sanford cleans up many plays, but this year he and Brown can hopefully keep the plays from happening rather than chasing ball carriers that have made it to their second tier. Kendrick Lewis is another former offensive player (WR); he can play either safety spot, affording Nix much depth for dime packages. Arguably 11 starters return, and with the reinvigorated staff, the possibility that the D gets much better very quickly are real and their sudden prowess will catch foes napping.