'Crazy Competition': Ole Miss LB Ashanti Cistrunk Breaks Down New-Look Pete Golding Defense

Veteran linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk spoke with the media on Tuesday about how the team is adjusting to Pete Golding's new scheme.

OXFORD, Miss. -- Spring football is underway for the Ole Miss Rebels, and newly hired defensive coordinator Pete Golding has begun to implement his scheme and philosophy into his defense.

The Rebels brought in Golding when he left the Alabama Crimson Tide in January after serving as defensive coordinator under Nick Saban for four seasons. Golding's arrival in Oxford comes with expectations of improvement from a defense that allowed 168.0 rushing yards per game a season ago.

Ole Miss senior linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk spoke with the media on Tuesday and revealed what it has been like playing for Golding this spring.

"It's been pretty good," Cistrunk told reporters. "He's a really funny guy, he treats us pretty fair. You just have to experience it [for yourself] to understand what it's like playing for him."

Cistrunk mentioned that adjusting to Golding's scheme has been a big change, but that the defense is handling it well.

"These first four practices have been easy, but it's a lot to learn," Cistrunk said. "It's a big change from 3-4 to 4-2, so we're slowly getting it, but we're making progress day by day."

The Ole Miss linebacker room got replenished over the offseason after 2023 5-star recruit Suntarine Perkins signed with the Rebels and senior linebacker Monty Montgomery elected to transfer in from the Louisville Cardinals. Cistrunk, who has embraced a leadership role, spoke about how his position group has meshed with the new guys this spring.

"We all get together and learn from each other," Cistrunk said. "[We're] trying to learn each other's strengths, weaknesses, and just bond really."

Last fall the Louisville, Miss., native recorded 72 total tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one sack, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble. Cistrunk expressed what his personal goals are for this spring.

"The next step for me is getting this defense down pat," Cistrunk said. "I want to know the ins and outs and just dominate."

Cistrunk also gave an alternate perspective on the ongoing quarterback competition between Jaxson Dart, Spencer Sanders, and Walker Howard.

"It's a crazy competition going on," Cistrunk said. "All of them are good, [they're] throwing dimes and making great plays. It's just fun watching them."

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