Notes and observations from Day 14 of Ole Miss’ preseason camp

Published 2:30 pm Thursday, August 16, 2018

It was Day 14 of preseason camp for Ole Miss on Thursday as the Rebels approach the end of their second full week. Ole Miss will hold its second scrimmage Saturday, but here are some notes and observations from Thursday’s practice…

• Vernon Dasher returned from a groin injury that kept him out of recent practices, rotating in at Star (hybrid linebacker/safety) with the first-team defense. Montrell Custis also got some reps with the ones there, though the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Dasher, who played linebacker in junior college, gives the Rebels a more physical presence at that position.

As for the rest of the players who have been nursing injuries, A.J. Brown (hamstring), DaMarkus Lodge (ankle), cornerback Javien Hamilton (hamstring) and cornerback Ken Webster (hamstring) were all limited to conditioning work again. Freshman receiver Demarcus Gregory (knee) didn’t practice for the second straight day.

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Floyd Allen and Braylon Sanders continued repping with the first team in place of Brown and Lodge. True freshman Elijah Moore and Miles Battle stayed with the second team at receiver.

• True freshman Kevontae’ Ruggs and sophomore Mohamed Sanogo continued repping with the ones at linebacker while Detric Bing-Dukes and Josh Clarke also rotated in. Defensive end Tariqious Tisdale stayed with the first-team defensive line, an indication coaches are bound to find a role for the junior college transfer, opposite Victor Evans and Qaadir Sheppared, who rotated. Ross Donelly and Benito Jones were the first-team tackles as that competition continues for a spot beside Josiah Coatney.

True freshman KD Hill and junior college transfer Hal Northern repped with the second team at defensive tackle and were again flanked by Ryder Anderson and Charles Wiley. Willie Hibler and Zikerrion Baker were the second-team linebackers for the second straight day. Freshman Keidron Smith continued to rep with the second team at cornerback while Jalen Julius also ran with the second team there.

• Jordan Sims has spent most of camp running with the second-team offense at center, but redshirt sophomore Eli Johnson was the one doing the snapping with the twos Thursday. Sims moved over to rep at right guard with the second team.

• Coaches continue to take a long look at some youngsters in the return game. Moore and fellow freshman Tylan Knight both returned punts. Running back KeShun Wells rotated in during kickoff returns.