How is the Ole Miss receivers room shaking out two weeks into fall camp?
There is strength in numbers and the Ole Miss football team has that with several different position groups, including the receivers.
There are plenty of bodies in the receivers room but depth is one thing that is still being worked out. Head coach Lane Kiffin, co-offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. and receivers coach Derrick Nix have plenty to choose from when sorting out the depth chart.
With several newcomers via the transfer portal coming with the task of trying to re-load the room after the departures of Braylon Sanders, Dontario Drummond and Jachour Pearson, there are a couple veteran returners.
One of those is Dannis Jackson, with the other being Jonathan Mingo. Both seniors are the two longest tenured in the room, having each been with Ole Miss their entire collegiate careers.
“The way you’re used to roster and depth work has obviously changed because of massive turnover,” Kiffin said. “It used to be you had three years with guys. It’s interesting mentioning Dannis because it’s one of the few players I feel like we have. Made some plays last year and continues to step up. Just needs to be consistent to have a good shot to play for us.”
In a crowded room of receivers with Division I experience before coming to Ole Miss, Jackson is fighting to earn playing time.
Jackson finished Saturday’s scrimmage with two catches for 54 yards. He had a career year in 2021, playing in 11 games with 12 catches for 244 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
With Mingo going out early in the season with the foot injury it allowed Jackson to become a fourth option for former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral. Though behind the trio of Sanders, Drummond and Pearson it was difficult to share the ball around.
Heading into this season there is opportunity for Jackson to find his place within the receiver rotation.
“I see myself progressing well,” Jackson said. “Coming back from last year I already know the offense pretty much, adding a little new stuff. I think I’m progressing really well as well as the other receivers.”
Kiffin went into the portal and added Jordan Watkins, Jaylon Robinson and Malik Heath to provide a boost to the room.
With the pedigrees those three players bring with them from their three previous programs it is creating some healthy competition.
Heath and Mingo had on the white non-contact jerseys for Saturday’s scrimmage and saw very little playing time after the first couple series. Robinson did not participate as he has been absent from recent practices.
It provided opportunity for Jackson as well as JJ Henry, Jalen Knox
Jackson knows it is up to him make sure he earns playing time, but that is also the same mentality every other Ole Miss receiver has.
“It’s kind of like a friendly competition,” Jackson said. “We have a lot of talented guys. We have a lot of guys who can go. I don’t think it’s like we look at it as competition. We just look at it as getting better each and everyday.”
See Dannis Jackson’s full interview after Monday’s practice below.
