Ole Miss DE Cedric Johnson says this Rebels team is all about the brotherhood
Nothing worthwhile happens overnight is a saying that has been around forever, but that adage rings truer than ever now in college football in and age of the transfer portal. Just ask Ole Miss.
For proof, look at the Rebels defense, in its first year under defensive coordinator Pete Golding.
In last Saturday’s win over Auburn on the Plains, every rotation player was just in the seventh game under Golding’s direction and defensive starters Stephon Wynn, Jr., Joshua Harris, Isaac Ukwu, Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, Zamari Walton, John Saunders, Jr. and Daijahn Anthony are in their first year at Ole Miss, period.
“It’s a challenge meshing so many new players together to make a cohesive unit,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said last spring.
But when it comes together, like it appears to have done recently for the Reb defenders, it can be enjoyable to behold.
Defensive end/outside linebacker Cedric Johnson – named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Auburn last Saturday – believes things are going smoother now.
“We are meshing together now. We still have work to do, getting some little things right, but we are getting there,” said Johnson, who had 5 tackles and 2 quarterback sacks in the Rebels 28-21 victory over the Tigers. “I feel like we have made steps each week for the defense to be where we want it to be, but we need to keep taking more steps forward.
“Our brotherhood had pulled us through some adversity and we are all in this thing together.”
Cedric likes where the team is from a chemistry standpoint.
“We are in a good place,” he continued. “We have bonded well. The defense is always joking around with the offense and we know we can count on them when we need to and they can count on us when they need to.
“We have each other’s back and it’s all love at the end of the day.”
When Johnson first came to Ole Miss, the defense was not very well thought of. Things have changed, he says.
“I think we are more respected now on the defensive line, but it has taken time to build it up,” he noted. “I think that has happened with the whole team as well. We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go and that’s our next step.
“We are a team that has to be respected now. Having all our goals still real, we are very focused. Everything we wanted to accomplish the first of the year is still available. We control our destiny.”
Ole Miss has become a dangerous fourth-quarter team, contrary to last season.
“The fourth quarter matters the most and we have worked hard this year with our fourth quarter program,” Johnson continued. “Coach Kiffin says it all the time – you can only win the game in the 4th quarter so we intend to make that quarter ours.”
Cedric had injury issues last year, but he’s healthy now.
“I’m in a much better situation than I was a year ago,” he smiled. “I’m having a solid year, but I want more. I’m surprised with the award this week – I know I can play better, but I am honored.”
Freshman linebacker Suntarine Perkins, who was named Co-SEC Freshman of the Week with his 5-tackle performance, draws praise from the veteran Johnson.
“He’s a freak athlete to start. That’s the first thing,” Johnson said. “I’ve been really seen him over the weeks start to focus in and start to settle in as a football player. Those first few weeks he’s in there, he’s a freshman obviously, I don’t know how to explain it. Your first game, your first few games you’re just trying to find the pace of the game and just slow things down. …He’s playing faster and just getting better and better each and every week.”
The Rebels are a dish that’s still baking in the oven, but in taste tests, they have been pleasing to the palate.
But nothing worthwhile happens fast and this team is cooking just fine so far.
