Ole Miss Rebels Linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

Ole Miss Linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk earned accolades this Monday, being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week following strong performance in the Rebels 27-20 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Ole Miss Linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk earned the title of Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week due to his impressive performance during the Rebels’ 27-20 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Cistrunk played a monumental role in anchoring the Ole Miss defense during Saturday’s SEC West rivalry matchup with Arkansas. 

He recorded his season-best nine tackles and his first interception of the season. Additionally, he contributed a fourth-quarter sack on third down, an essential moment with the Rebels maintaining a four-point advantage.

“I was really just reading off of KJ [Jefferson] and then I tried to bait him in a little,” Cistrunk explained. “Then I broke on it and caught the pick. I was just laughing the whole time. I’ve been hearing from my teammates how I was running so slow, so I guess I have to do speed training all the rest of the week.” 

Ole Miss Linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk earned the title of Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week / Carleigh Holt-The Grove Report

Pete Golding, and his defensive unit, limited the Razorbacks to a mere 288 total yards, marking the fewest allowed against an SEC opponent since Oct. 5, 2019, when they played Vanderbilt. 

Ole Miss also allowed only 36 rushing yards this past Saturday, their fewest against an SEC opponent since holding Tennessee to zero on October 14, 2014.

The Louisville, Mississippi, native has proven to be highly productive for the Rebel defense this season. 

He currently ranks second on the team in total tackles with 37, tied for third in sacks with 2.5, and has one interception, making him the sole non-secondary player to achieve this feat.