The 40-Yard Dash: Kentrell Lockett is fully embracing his Ole Miss football ‘Old Head’ status
In this edition of the 40-Yard Dash, all-time Rebel football favorite Kentrell Lockett and Ben Garrett of the Ole Miss Spirit/On3 (OMSpirit.com; join today for just $1!) finally come to accept their shared Ole Miss ‘Old Head’ status.
Lockett even tells the story of the Rebels’ halftime practice against Wake Forest in 2006, while all but confirming a long-held Circle of Trust conspiracy. Additional topics include Dexter McCluster going Superman against Tennessee, Mike Wallace’s disdain for Seth Adams, and Greg Hardy keeping freak-athletic company with the greatest of Rebel Greats.
“Greg Hardy, we’re talking about a different breed of person here now,” Lockett said. “Hardy went from playing football to basketball to doing MMA fighting and then bear-knuckle fighting. He’s that different breed.
“[Critics] can talk wrong and down to him; I don’t care. Man’s probably one of the best all-around [athletic phenoms] I’ve ever seen for his size and stature. Like Michael Oher [and other former football Rebels like] John and Peria Jerry. Laremy Tunsil.”
Related: Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul’s journey to Ole Miss and, now, the Ivey League
WHEN THEY WERE REBELS: KENTRELL LOCKETT
Lockett was a standout Ole Miss football defensive end, and one of its biggest personalities, from 2007-2011. He was just the third Rebel in the modern era to be chosen team captain twice.
But Lockett is perhaps best remembered for his decisive fourth-quarter extra-point block at Florida in 2008. Lockett’s Rebels handed the eventual-champion Gators their only loss that day and went on to win nine games on the season. Ole Miss upset No. 8 Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl.
Lockett was named the 21st recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award in 2010. He’d started every game for Ole Miss at defensive end the previous two seasons — when the Rebels consecutively topped the SEC in tackles for loss.
Lockett nearly declared early for the NFL Draft after a breakout 2009 season in which he led Ole Miss in QB pressures (13). Lockett, named All-SEC, added 10.0 TFLs and 5.0 sacks.
His later seasons were marred by injury. Lockett finished with 26.0 TFLs, 22 QB pressures and 9.0 sacks.
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