Rebels vs. Auburn Tigers Week 7: Defensive Players To Watch
The Ole Miss Rebels travel to Auburn, Alabama for a Week 7 matchup with the Tigers in 2023. By this time of the college football season, we'll have a clear idea of what the Tigers look like under new head coach Hugh Freeze, who takes over for the departed Bryan Harsin.
Freeze is certainly familiar with life in the SEC after a five-year stint with the Rebels from 2012 through 2016. However, he inherits a team that needs a ton of help after going 11-14 over the past two seasons. Expectations are low for the Tigers this season, and a winning record and a bowl appearance would be considered a hugely successful first season for Freeze.
The defense might have been worse than the offense last year, allowing the third-most points in program history at 29.5 points per game, good enough for 98th in the country. Auburn also gave up five 40-point games last year, the most ever for the program. Freeze will task new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts with the responsibility of fixing the defense, but it's a project.
LB Cam Riley
Riley enters his junior season with the Tigers and after the departure of linebacker Owen Pappoe to the NFL Draft, Riley is the leading returning tackler on the squad with 64 total and 38 solo.
CB Jaylin Simpson
The Brunswick, Georgia native enters his senior season with the Tigers and led the team with two interceptions last year. He added 37 total tackles in 2023. In the team's 49-27 loss to Alabama Simpson registered a season-high six total tackles with five solo.
DL Marcus Harris
Harris is entering his third season with the Tigers after playing two years with the Kansas Jayhawks. The Montgomery, Alabama native posted two sacks last season and one pass defended. He also registered 30 total tackles with 18 solo.
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