Ole Miss Week 2 Opponent Preview: Tulane Green Wave Defensive Players to Watch

Our 2023 college football preview continues this week with the Rebels' week two matchup.

OXFORD, Miss. -- After dismantling the Mercer Bears 73-7 in Week 1, the No. 20 Ole Miss Rebels are set to hit the road in Week 2 to take on the No. 24 Tulane Green Wave.

Tulane is Ole Miss' first test of the season, as the Green Wave finished their 2022 campaign as one of the best Group of Five schools in the country with an overall record of 12-2. In Week 1, Tulane took down the South Alabama Jaguars 37-17.

After defeating the USC Trojans 46-45 in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic to cap off their historic 2022-23 campaign, the Green Wave will not be a team to be taken lightly this fall. Tulane is led by junior quarterback Michael Pratt, who recorded 3,009 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season.

The Green Wave did, however, lose star running back Tyjae Spears and a handful of veteran defenders to the 2023 NFL Draft. Spear was the No. 1 option in Tulane's rushing attack last fall and led the team with 1,581 rushing yards. Running backs Makhi Hughes and Shedro Louis led Tulane's backfield in Week 1.

The last time these two programs met in 2021, Ole Miss won by a decisive score of 61-21 in front of a home crowd. The 67th meeting between these two programs is not shaping up to be a blowout.

Ole Miss and Tulane will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Yulman Stadium. We recently previewed Tulane's offense, and now we will examine the best defenders the Green Wave has to offer. 

Defensive Players to Watch 

Tackles: Corey Platt Jr. (RS Sophomore) 

Week 1 stats: 15 tackles, 1.0 TFL, one sack 

Linebacker Corey Platt Jr. was all over the field for Tulane's defense in Week 1, racking up an impressive 15 tackles along with one sack and TFL. Unfortunately for the Green Wave, coach Willie Fritz announced on Tuesday that Platt will be forced to miss Saturday's matchup versus Ole Miss due to injury.

Interceptions: DJ Douglas (RS Junior), Lance Robinson (RS Senior) 

Week 1 stats: one interception 

Both DJ Douglas and Lance Robinson appeared in all 14 games last season for Tulane at cornerback. The veteran defensive backs lead a talented Tulane secondary which has been reloaded after players left via the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Sacks: Patrick Jenkins (Junior), Kameron Hamilton (Sophomore) 

Week 1 stats: two sacks and two TFLs 

Patrick Jenkins was named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Bednarik Award and is already showing why he deserves the honor after recording two sacks and two TFLs in Week 1. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the best defensive player in college football. Sophomore Kameron Hamilton recorded the same stat line after registering just 15 tackles and 0.5 TFL in 2022.