You know what they say, football is won in the trenches.
Fortunately for Ole Miss, one of college football’s most respected experts is expecting the Rebels to be dominant up front offensively.
Prominent ESPN and SEC Network analyst, Cole Cubelic, believes that the Ole Miss offensive line is a unit that has not yet been adequately valued by the media. Cubelic, who serves on the committee that decides Joe Moore Award for the Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit, states that the Rebels may have the best group up front in the SEC.
“I think you can make a legitimate argument right now that that is the best returning offensive line in the SEC,” Cubelic said on SportsTalk Mississippi. “I look at guys who are coming back on that group. Nick Broeker, you can argue, is the best offensive lineman returning in the league.”
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Cubelic noted that SEC teams such as Alabama and Georgia may have more talented offensive lines on paper, but Ole Miss has one thing that other notable programs lack — veteran experience.
Ole Miss is returning four of its five primary offensive lineman from the 2021 season. Two of these include senior guard Broeker who was named preseason All-SEC first team and junior tackle Jeremy James who was named preseason All-SEC third team. The Rebels also added coveted Western Kentucky transfer Mason Brooks to be the fifth member of the starting unit.
“Mason Brooks was very successful at Western Kentucky. He’s gonna come in and contribute and help and be a part of that group right away,” Cubelic said. “For the last couple of years, that Ole Miss offensive line, for the majority of the season, has pushed people around. So yeah, I’m excited to watch that group. If you’re asking me to rank them right now, I would have a tough time not putting Ole Miss as my best offensive line in the league.”
Ole Miss finished the 2021 season ranked No. 4 in the nation in total offense. As the team works to replace former All-SEC second team quarterback Matt Corral as well as its entire starting running backs room, the Rebels will look to its experienced offensive line to lead the way to another successful season under head coach Lane Kiffin.
