'Last Year Was Just A Taste': Rebels' Receivers Have High Expectations For 2023

The first day of fall camp is in the books for the Ole Miss Rebels and veteran receivers Jordan Watkins and Dayton Wade are ready to be leaders in the locker room.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels started their fall camp on Wednesday morning, and the first practice is officially in the books. Entering year four under coach Lane Kiffin, the Rebels are expected to perform despite being dealt the hardest schedule in the Southeastern Conference. 

The Rebels are confident in themselves as a team, however, entering the 2023 season, especially the receiving corp. Ole Miss lost receivers Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath to the NFL this offseason, but the leaders of the unit taking the field in 2023 believe this group is going to be special. 

"This has got to be the most talented [receiver] room I've been in, and I've been in some talented rooms," senior Dayton Wade told The Grove Report after day one of camp. "There's players that I have played with who are in the league right now or playing big-time football."

"I think this room is going to be super awesome," Jordan Watkins said. "It's going to be fun to see. This is one of the better rooms I have been a part of as far as the depth and raw talent that we have."

Wade gave praise to his position group and believes that last season was just a taste of what is to come. The Rebels started off the 2022 season 7-0 before losing five of their last six contests.

"I'm excited, I feel like last year was just a taste," Wade said. "Everyone was iffy about our quarterbacks [in 2022] and we just lost Matt Corral... We want to win the [SEC] West because we feel like we could have last year. But feeling is not enough, you really have to go get it."

Watkins has assumed a leadership role in a room that has a mix of veterans and younger players and explained how he is doing his best to coach everyone up.

"You just want to give [the younger guys] the best advice you can," Watkins said. "They're going to make mistakes they're young. I remember when I was young I made a lot of mistakes. You just want to try and correct those mistakes now in fall camp so that way if their number gets called during the season they're ready."

Wade and Watkins also expressed their individual goals for the 2023 season.

"I want to have a big season, obviously I want to be an All-American," Watkins said. "That's the number one goal for me. I want to have a breakout year and leave my mark on the SEC."

"Dayton Wade wants to win the Biletnikoff [Award]," Wade said with a smile. "I haven't told anyone that except my coaches. I don't mind saying it though because that's something I want to do... I just want to win it all though."

Wade was a versatile player for the Rebels in 2022 and he wants to contribute even more in his senior year. Last season, Wade caught 27 passes for 309 receiving yards and three touchdowns while adding on 78 rushing yards on nine carries.

"[I'm going to do] whatever they need me to do," Wade said. "Win the one-on-one, go block, be the decoy - whatever it is I'm on it... Whenever they call my number I'm going to be ready."

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You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.

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