SPORTS

Ole Miss' five most important defensive players for 2015

Riley Blevins
The Clarion-Ledger
Ole Miss rising junior Robert Nkemdiche (5) is expected to have a breakout year for the Rebels on the defensive line.

OXFORD – Ole Miss led the country in scoring defense last season, surrendering 16 points a game and allowing the fewest touchdowns in the nation. The defense will be mostly in tact this fall, but these five players will play key roles in determining whether the Rebels can sustain – and perhaps improve on – the defensive success they enjoyed last season.

Here is a look at the five most important defensive players for the Rebels in 2015.

Robert Nkemdiche

Nkemdiche, who's shouldered larger-than-life expectations ever since the former No. 1 overall recruit scooped up an Ole Miss cap as a high school senior, had a modest 33 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks last fall.

But those aren't exactly the kind of numbers for a potential top NFL Draft pick.

But Nkemdiche is undoubtedly a top-10 talent, and he requires that kind of attention from opposing teams as a result.

Fans may want those highlight-reel sacks and exploding tackles in the backfield, but for an Ole Miss defensive line that's deep, fast and physical, attention could go a long way this fall.

If you double team Nkemdiche, that leaves the likes of Fadol Brown, Issac Gross, Woodrow Hamilton, D.J. Jones, Breeland Speaks, Marquis Haynes and more one-on-one.

If you don't double team him, well, just ask that Alabama offensive lineman who Nkemdiche pushed so quickly into the backfield last season it looked like he was in a shopping cart.

Tee Shepard

Gone is former All-American Senquez Golson and his SEC-leading 10 interceptions. Tasked with replacing his production will be two new starters at cornerback next fall in Tee Shepard and Tony Bridges.

Shepard will be an interesting one to watch.

The juco transfer and former five-star prospect was expected to play right away last fall, but surgery to repair a torn tendon in his big toe sidelined him for the entire season.

Ole Miss coaches praised his performances in practice last year. It was more of the same this spring, and it's easy to see why. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder possesses a rare blend of size and speed for a corner.

He showed time and time again during spring scrimmages that he's more than capable of handling Ole Miss' big-bodied wideouts in one-on-one situations. He's also no slouch at making tackles in the flats.

But, will Shepard produce when the lights come on for real?

"I think (he'll) do really, really well for us this season," Wommack said. "But I guess we'll have to wait and see."

Ole Miss defensive back/linebacker Tony Conner, center, is being counted on to take a leadership role for the Rebels this season.

Tony Conner

Conner is the kind of player defensive coordinators dream about.

The 6-foot, 215-pound junior plays Ole Miss' "husky" position, which is essentially a nickel corner. But Conner isn't the kind of player who falls neatly under the umbrella of one position label.

On any given play, he can be asked to cover a slot receiver, blitz off the edge or creep into the tackle box and help with run support.

And he does it all well.

Conner finished second on the team in tackles last year with 69. ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has Conner being taken in the late first round in his early projections for 2016.

Trae Elston

Last season, All-American Cody Prewitt was in charge of barking out the checks, adjustments and audibles.

Elston is calling the shots now.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior has had to adjust to being more vocal in his new role, Wommack said, but getting the secondary into the right looks has been an easy transition.

"Trae is really smart," Wommack said. "We feel good with him running things."

Elston is also now one of the veterans of a new-look secondary, which looks to replace the production from graduated All-Americans Prewitt and Senquez Golson.

Elston has started almost every game since his freshman year and has done so at a few different spots.

Last season, the former Under Armour All-American recruit finished fifth on the team with 59 tackles. He's fast and physical. And if he continues to progress, he could help Ole Miss' secondary improve its pass coverage abilities even after losing the likes of Golson and Prewitt.

C.J. Johnson

Ole Miss has to replace four starters from last year's defense, but that includes two linebackers in Serderius Bryant and Deterrian Shackelford.

For the Rebels, linebacker is probably the spot where they have the least amount of depth.

As a result, C.J. Johnson was moved from defensive end to middle linebacker this spring where he took first-team reps throughout camp.

Last season, Johnson started 12 games at defensive end. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder finished second on the team with four sacks and tied for third with eight tackles for loss. He also had an interception, a pass breakup and two fumble recoveries.

Johnson also served as a team captain in all 13 games. Ole Miss assistant coach Chris Kiffin said Johnson is practically a coach on the field, as he knows everyone's responsibilities.

The Rebels are hoping that production and leadership carry over well to the middle linebacker spot.

Contact Riley Blevins at rblevins@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @Riley_Blevins on Twitter.