Ole Miss Rebels Cedric Johnson, Suntarine Perkins Earn SEC Player of the Week Honors

Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman Cedric Johnson and linebacker Suntarine Perkins received SEC Player of the Week distinctions on Monday.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels are riding a three-game win streak following their 28-21 victory over the Auburn Tigers on The Plains thanks to a big performance from the defense. 

The Rebels allowed 275 yards of total offense on Saturday and limited Auburn's passing attack to just 122 yards between quarterbacks Robby Ashford and Payton Thorne. The Southeastern Conference took notice of Ole Miss' dominant defensive effort and awarded two players for their efforts versus the Tigers on Monday.

Ole Miss defensive lineman Cedric Johnson was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after recording five tackles and leading the team with two sacks. The senior has now notched 15 career sacks and remains the Rebels' all-time leader in that category. 

Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker Suntarine Perkins (4) chases down Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports   / © John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Linebacker Suntarine Perkins received his first conference award as the Co-SEC Freshman of the Week after registering five tackles and one TFL. Perkins currently leads all SEC freshmen and is ranked fifth nationally in sacks among freshmen.

Through seven games, Johnson has recorded 24 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and seven quarterback hits. In his first seven career games, Perkins has accounted for 29 tackles, 5.0 TFls, 3.5 sacks, and one pass breakup. 

Johnson, who received the Chucky Mullins Courage Award in August, is making his final season in a Rebel uniform a memorable one and is forging a path to the next level in the process. 

The Mobile, Ala., native was recently added to the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List and should receive an invite to the event following his senior campaign.