Jonathan Mingo details what it's like playing in a Lane Kiffin offense, competing in SEC

During the 2022 SEC Media Days, Ole Miss Rebels star receiver Jonathan Mingo spoke to the media on his preparation for the upcoming season. Mingo missed the majority of 2021 with a broken foot that he suffered in practice early in the season. Now that he is back, he is ready to show he is the next great receiver to come out of Ole Miss. And he knows that playing in a Lane Kiffin-led offense will significantly benefit him and his career.

“It’s a blessing to be a receiver for coach Kiffin because receivers, we’re his babies,” Mingo began. “He puts us in the right position each and every week to get open. In his offense, you just got to play fast and be ready for a new change every other drive because he’s always cooking something up. So we just gotta be ready as a receiver.

“You gotta be detailed because everybody has talent in the SEC. It’s the hardest conference in the country. So you got to make sure your technique is right, be able to read the coverage, and make sure you’re in the right position at the right time. But nothing comes easy in SEC.”

If there’s any drawback to being in a Lane Kiffin offense, it’s being in top-conditioned shape. According to Mingo, with how the Ole Miss offense is set up, you better be ready to outlast the opposition:

“Probably being in shape because we play fast. We try to get them tired. So you just gotta be in shape for us. It’s kind of hard to out smart Kiffin, so you gotta be ready for any tricks he has up his sleeve.”

Mingo reveals where he’s at coming off of injury

Ole Miss wide receiver Jonathan Mingo did not have the season he envisioned in 2021. His junior season was cut short after he suffered a broken foot in practice leading up to the Rebels showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now he’s back and ready for the start of the 2022 season.

During the SEC Media Days 2022, Mingo revealed where he’s at coming off of injury and what he plans to bring to the team this year.

“I’m good now. I’m blessed it be back on the field. It’s always frustrating being injured because you work so hard in the offseason,” said Mingo. “So it was kind of hard being out. It was right before the Alabama game, and that’s a game we look forward to all season. So I just had to put my head down and pray about it. And I knew God was going to put me on the right path so I can get back healthy.”

Although Mingo didn’t get to play the whole season, he still put up solid numbers in the games he played in. The senior from Brandon, MS, ended the year with 22 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns. In 2022, Mingo will have a significant role in the offense. And according to him, he is more than capable of taking on a more prominent role as a five-tool impact receiver.

“I feel like I can contribute in a lot of ways. I’m not just like deep ball threat. I feel like I can get open on any type of route. I can run the whole route tree and I’m a five tool receiver; I got all the tools to be the best receiver I can be.”