Ashanti Cistrunk Leads Younger Ole Miss Linebackers Into 2023 Season

Cistrunk was made available to the media this week during preseason camp.

OXFORD, Miss. -- There was a time where Ashanti Cistrunk was unsure if he would remain an Ole Miss Rebel, but as he enters his senior season in Oxford, he has become a leader in the linebacker room.

The grind of fall camp is not easy, especially preparing for Ole Miss' difficult SEC schedule in 2023, but when Cistrunk was made available to the media earlier this week, he claims that he made the most of his efforts.

"I'm actually ready for camp to be over," Cistrunk said with a laugh. "This camp schedule is tough. I'm feeling great going into the season. I enjoyed my last camp."

There was a time over the offseason where Cistrunk was in the transfer portal, but after the arrival of defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the Rebels' staff, conversations led him to stay at Ole Miss.

"Me and Coach Golding, we actually sat and talked a lot," Cistrunk said, "and over time, I figured the best position for me was to stay here and not go anywhere."

Now the veteran linebacker is called upon to show some of the younger players the ropes, including standout freshman Suntarine Perkins, a fellow Mississippi native.

"Perkins, for a freshman, he's progressing a lot," Cistrunk said. "He's got it all. I've kind of taken him under my wing, helping him understand the defense more. We're looking good at linebacker. I can't wait to see it come together."

Over the course of his Ole Miss career, Cistrunk has accumulated 137 total tackles and 6.5 TFLs. He and the Rebels will open their season at home against the Mercer Bears on Sept. 2 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

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