Evaluating importance of Juice Wells to Ole Miss offense, level of health concerns

In December, Ole Miss landed a commitment from South Carolina wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., via the NCAA Transfer Portal. Wells only played in three games in the 2023 campaign after suffering a season-ending foot injury against Georgia.

However, he didn’t need the 2023 season to prove his talents. In 2022, Wells led the Gamecocks with 68 receptions, 928 yards and six touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named an All-SEC First Team member by the league’s coaches.

In a conversation with On3’s Andy Staples on Monday, OM Spirit’s Ben Garrett revealed his expectations for Wells in the upcoming season.

“Juice Wells was arguably, it’s arguable, but he was the best receiver in the SEC in 2022,” Garrett said. “Imagine Elijah Moore’s usage for Ole Miss in 2020 with a more physical component in Juice Wells. That’s how they want to use him.

“Now the question is, is Juice healthy, right? He’s been only really full-go and not in a black, no-contact or limited jersey once all camp. And, that’s really what I would say their whole mindset this camp has been — keep the guys healthy and get them to Furman.”

Ole Miss doesn’t have to wait much longer to unleash its top talents. The Rebels are only 12 days away from their season-opening showdown against Furman.

Despite Garrett’s concerns, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin previously claimed he was pleased with Wells’ progress. Further, Kiffin stated Wells looked “extremely competitive.”

Anybody familiar with Wells’ game wasn’t surprised by Kiffin’s comments. Wells was the No. 24 overall player and No. 3 wide receiver to enter the transfer portal this offseason, per On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

Now, Garrett wants to see Ole Miss allow Wells to reach his full potential and take off any restrictions still holding him back.

“I kind of want to see him actually really cut it loose, right?” Garrett said. “For now, I’m looking at him like, ‘Let’s see how he dips into the snap share of Cayden Lee in Game 1, in Game 2, right? But you’re right. I think he’s the key.

“He could be an absolute game-changer for them, especially when the schedule starts getting tougher in October. And if he’s healthy, and they can unlock, unlock him like they did Elijah Moore in 2020, motion him into the backfield — he became a ball carrier a lot. He was like Percy Harvin. You don’t see that anymore. That’s what they want to do with Juice. But, can he get on the field?”