"My purpose hasn't been fulfilled": Ole Miss football's Otis Reese on his decision to return for third season
After the Sugar Bowl last month there were several Ole Miss football players who had decisions to make regarding their future.
Weighing the options of either heading for the NFL or returning for a final season in Oxford was difficult for some. That was true for Otis Reese, but his choice appeared to come down to one simple reason.
“Coming back to Ole Miss, it was weighing heavy on my mind and my heart,” Reese told the Ole Miss Spirit last week. “I feel like, me personally, my purpose hasn’t been fulfilled, yet, here at Oxford and Ole Miss. So, I’m just coming back to fulfill my purpose of being here.”
Last season was Reese’s first full year on the field with the Rebels. After transferring in from Georgia ahead of the 2020 season, Reese missed all but the final three games while waiting on an answer from the NCAA regarding his waiver wire — the one-time transfer waiver had not been implemented yet.
Reese was the first transfer signee Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin brought in, which has led to an onslaught of transfer talent since then.
The decision to come to Ole Miss came down to being comfortable with defensive coordinator Chris Partridge, who was already at Ole Miss. The two had a relationship already from Partridge’s days at Michigan.
“Coach Partridge was a good friend of mine that recruited me throughout Michigan and I was committed to Michigan for three years and I decided at the last minute to stay home and go to Georgia,” Reese said. “Me and coach Partridge had that connection and hearing that excitement from him being the co-defensive coordinator, so I was just excited to come play for coach Partridge.”
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A lot has gone into the transformation and resurgence of the Rebels defense, but Reese is one of the major pieces in the turnaround.
Last season, Reese finished as one the top tacklers with 90 along with a forced fumble. Through 16 games, Reese has a total of 114 tackles and an interception.
All throughout the back half of last year, Rebel players kept speaking of a mindset change that took place. The defense bought into it, helping lift them up from being one of the worst in FBS two years ago.
Reese is one of those pieces that is still in Oxford, but the defense lost a lot with the departures of Sam Williams, Chance Campbell and others. Partridge and his staff did their best to help plug those holes with the additions of Isheem Young and J.J. Pegues through the portal along with some high school signees like Jaron Willis.
“I think we’re going to be great,” Reese said of this year’s defense. “I think we’re going to be even better than last year.”
*** If you’re looking for a beach condo for spring break or the summer, Ole Miss safety Otis Reese encourages you to use Millette Beach Condo Rentals. They can be reached at 850-424-5061. ***
