Ole Miss Rebels Crack Top 15 in Greg McElroy's Preseason Rankings

Greg McElroy continues to endorse the Ole Miss Rebels entering the 2023 college football season.

OXFORD, Miss. -- Greg McElroy has declared multiple times this offseason that the Ole Miss Rebels are a sleeper team entering the 2023 college football season. McElroy has labeled the Rebels as the "most dangerous" team in the SEC and believes running back Quinshon Judkins is capable of reaching 2,000 yards this fall.

McElroy recently released his own Top 25 preseason rankings and rated Ole Miss as the No. 15 team in the country while continuing to endorse Lane Kiffin's squad.

"Jaxson Dart - assuming he can fend off Spencer Sanders - supposedly has had a fire lit underneath him," McElroy said. "He's going to compliment a dynamic run game with Quinshon Judkins. I think Judkins is amazing. I believe he's one of the best players in America - regardless of position - and will only be better in year two."

The Ole Miss offense lost its top two receivers from last fall, Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath, but McElroy is convinced that Kiffin has successfully revamped his receiver room.

"If they can get the quarterback position figured out, [Ole Miss] is in a great spot with what they have on the perimeter," McElroy said. "You go out and get Tre Harris and a couple of other pieces who are legit... You've lost your top two guys at receiver, but it's okay. [Kiffin] identified a couple of pieces that might be able to step right in."

Former transfer wideouts Tre Harris and Zakhari Franklin should step in with little issue after the two combined for 25 touchdown receptions last fall with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and UTSA Roadrunners, respectively. The tight end position is not exactly a focal point in Kiffin's offense, but McElroy praised the group which was also bolstered this offseason.

"I don't anticipate [tight end] being a huge part of [Kiffin's] offense," McElroy said. "But the two tight ends he has are legit, and might ultimately be big-time difference makers for the Rebels this year."

Tight end Caden Prieskorn transferred to Ole Miss this spring after spending three seasons with the Memphis Tigers. Prieskorn hauled in seven touchdowns last fall and is not afraid to make his presence felt as a blocker in the run game. Prieskorn will complement tight end Michael Trigg who is set to return after injuries hampered his 2022 season.

While Ole Miss' defense is not as complete as its offense, McElroy believes the unit will improve with the help of new defensive coordinator Pete Golding and the transfers acquired this offseason.

"I love the transfers [Kiffin] brought in," McElroy said. "He brought in really good pieces along the defensive front, and I think the backend will be benefitted from what the defense is going to do structurally."

McElroy then doubled down on Ole Miss being a dangerous team in 2023.

"I don't know if [the Ole Miss defense] will be a lockdown group," McElroy said. "But if the offense can be as good as I anticipate, they have a chance to be very dangerous for every single team they play."

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You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.

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