Cedric Johnson Spearheads New Ole Miss Defense in 2023

2023 Chucky Mullins Award Winner Cedric Johnson was made available to the media Monday.

Heading into the Ole Miss Rebels’ home opener against Mercer this Saturday, defensive end Cedric Johnson took the time to reflect with the media on his fall camp experience.

The 2023 Chucky Mullins Courage Award winer is looking to make make a statement with his new position in Pete Goldings defense.

"I'm loving it,” Johnson said. “It gives me a lot of freedom. Gives me a lot of room to grow. It's been a lot of fun for me. D-line is going to have a lot of fun. I'm going to have a lot of fun."

A common denominator in these Monday press conferences are how much team chemistry was built over the offseason. 

"I believe we meshed together,” Johnson said. “Everybody is all bought in. As a brotherhood, I feel like we are closer than ever before.”

Johnson was granted the 2023 Chucky Mullins Award this offseason, an honor presented to an Ole Miss upperclassman defensive player that embodies the spirit of Mullins: courage, leadership, perseverance and determination. Johnson exemplified all of these traits, and his teammates recognized it. 

A week before the award winner was announced, his teammates were calling him "Chucky" because they were confident he was going to win it.

"I'm honored, blessed to win it and I am thankful the coaches think I'm the right person to represent it," Johnson said.

The 6-3 265-pounder from Mobile, Alabama, was named Preseason All-SEC First Team by Phil Steele. He is looking to continue his success but on a higher level with an opportunity in Golding’s defense to pressure the quarterback more frequently. He is the active leader in sacks for the Ole Miss defense with 13.5 and only looks to add to that total in his senior season. 

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