Rebels Isheem Young Using Late Season Failures As Motivation For Stellar Spring

Isheem Young is looking for better results in the Rebels' defense after a woeful 1-5 finish to the 2022 season.

Isheem Young was blunt when meeting with the Ole Miss media for the first time in 2023. He was frustrated at the end of the season. 

Young, one of the top young defensive backs in the country, entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Iowa State. He joined the Rebels with the intent of winning multiple SEC Championships and fighting for College Football Playoff immortality. 

And, for a moment, the Rebels were in the hunt. They rattled off seven consecutive wins to begin the year and garnered a top 10 ranking in the AP Poll. Young, the catalyst of the secondary, was emerging as one of the best players in the conference, taking names and laying down the hammer in the open field. 

But it's never about how you start. Instead, it's about the closing moments of the year. And the Rebels? They trudged their way across the finish line with a 1-5 record, including a loss to Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. 

“I think a lot of people said I had a good season. I think it was average,” Young said Tuesday. “A little bit below average (actually). I think I could’ve done way better. I think it went better at the end of the season, but I think I could’ve had a way better season.”

Young doesn't need much motivation, but the taste of a sour end to the regular season has laid dormant for months. Now back on the field, the senior plans to set the tone in practice.

What is the biggest key to success in Young's mind? Playing four quarters of football and while keeping the same energy. 

“That just motivates us to go way harder all season (and) spring ball to come out way stronger this season,” Young said.

Change is coming to Oxford defensively. The Rebels whisked away Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding in the offseason to replace Chris Partridge. Last season, the Crimson Tide ranked ninth nationally in scoring (18.2 points per game) and 17th in yards allowed (189.3 per game). 

In terms of talent, the cupboard is far from bare. Ole Miss is slated to return linebacker Khari Coleman, defensive end Jared Ivey and defensive lineman J.J. Pegues. There will be a veteran feel in the secondary with Deantre Prince returning at cornerback. 

Young said that Golding runs practice differently than Partridge and has a variety of unique schemes. Then again, different doesn't always mean worse. 

“Golding is more of a calm, cool, collected coach," Young said. "He seems like he has a good scheme going on for our defense." 

Young is expected to be one of the team leaders entering 2023. During his first season in Oxford, the multi-purpose defensive back registered 66 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception. 

It's only been one practice, but Young wants to set an example for the younger defenders that could influence Ole Miss' success in the dreaded SEC West. So far, he's been impressed with the attention to detail the young defensive backs have put into the offseason, especially newcomers John Saunders Jr. and Zamari Walton. 

"They love to compete," Young said. "I like them guys. They're definitely competing, they're going hard, they’re making plays already. So I definitely like them.” 

The Rebels return to practice Thursday afternoon. 

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