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College football's fall camp season is officially underway across the nation, and the Ole Miss Rebels are set to kick off their preparations on Monday, August 3, at the Manning Center. This marks Pete Golding's inaugural training camp as head coach, though it represents his fourth overall with the program.
As the Rebels gear up for their season opener against Louisville in Nashville, several key storylines will dominate the month-long practice period. Here's a closer look at what to monitor:
Right Tackle Battle Takes Center Stage
The most pressing question entering camp revolves around the right tackle position. With Terez Davis emerging as the likely starter at left tackle, protecting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss's blind side appears settled. However, the right side remains a glaring uncertainty.
Ole Miss brought in four tackles via the transfer portal and junior college route: Tommy Kinsler IV, Carius Curne, Enoch Wangoy, and Roman Womack. Each possesses the physical tools to compete, but all are raw prospects needing to prove they can handle SEC-level play. Early indications suggest Curne and Kinsler IV are the front-runners, but the battle could stretch into the regular season if a clear winner doesn't emerge.
Coach Golding may also opt for a rotational approach if necessary, but expect right tackle to be a frequent topic of discussion throughout August.
Health and Injury Updates
Staying healthy will be paramount as camp progresses. Several key players missed spring practices due to injuries, including newcomers Jordan Renaud, Edwin Joseph, and Jase Mathews. Others like Kewan Lacy, Joenel Aguero, Brycen Sanders, and Terez Davis were limited during spring drills.
Golding previously expressed confidence that no player would face extended absences, but the grind of camp will test that optimism. Monitoring the team's health status will be crucial as the Louisville game approaches.
Rebuilt Receiver Room
The wide receiver corps underwent a major overhaul, losing four of its top five pass-catchers from last season. Only Deuce Alexander returns, and he'll be joined by five transfer additions: Johntay Cook II, Horatio Fields, Darrell Gill Jr., Cameron Miller, and Isaiah Spencer. New receivers coach L'Damian Washington, formerly of Kentucky, will oversee the group.
Fields and Cook generated the most buzz during spring practices, but five-star recruit Caleb Cunningham could add an intriguing dynamic as a redshirt freshman. How the pecking order shakes out behind Alexander remains one of camp's most compelling subplots.
Avoiding Distractions
Ole Miss has dealt with four off-field incidents involving underclassmen since April, the latest being freshman defensive lineman Carmelow Reed's arrest on Friday. Carius Curne, Rees Wise, and Damarius Yates were involved in earlier incidents. The program handles legal matters internally, but the pattern raises questions about whether the team can navigate the final month of the offseason without further issues.
As camp unfolds, all eyes will be on these storylines and more, shaping the Rebels' path toward their season opener.