Rebels WR Jordan Watkins Breakout Potential In 2023

As student-athletes compete for starting roles on both offense and defense, it's time to start looking at potential breakout players for Ole Miss in 2023.

The new season for Ole Miss starts in less than 40 days as a matchup with Mercer will begin the 2023 campaign for the Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept 2. Ahead of that, though is fall camp which begins in less than a week.

As student-athletes compete for starting roles on both offense and defense, it's time to start looking at potential breakout players for Ole Miss in the preseason workouts.

One such player is senior wideout, Jordan Watkins. Even though he served as the offense's third option, his first season with the Rebels was impressive. He registered 40 receptions and 449 receiving yards along with two touchdowns.

Watkins contemplated the transfer portal after the 2022 season as he played behind Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath all year, but ultimately chose to remain in Oxford. 

The Louisville, Kentucky native begins his second season in the Rebels' offense and had built a bit of chemistry with returning quarterback Jaxson Dart. With a little more playing time he has the potential to be an All-SEC receiver.

He'll have to compete with a crowded receiver room that includes new additions Tre Harris, Zakhari Franklin, and Ayden Williams, but his experience in the offense should give him an edge in fall camp.

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