Ole Miss CB Deantre Prince ready for 'smash mouth' Penn State offense
The Ole Miss defense has shown improvement under the guidance of first-year defensive coordinator Pete Golding and the players responsible for that improvement understand why.
“I think we’ve been more focused this year,” said senior cornerback Deantre Prince, a stalwart on the Rebel defense in 2023. “I think we’ve learned to focus on learning our plays.”
The Ole Miss defenders have also learned a lesson that not only applies to football but to life itself if success is the goal.
Accountability. . . .
“We’ve been more accountable for our actions individually and more accountable as a team,” Prince added. “We knew when coach Golding came on board that accountability would be a big part of what he and the defensive staff would teach.”
And don’t forget leadership, which demands accountability.
“We have better leadership this season too,” Deantre said.
Prince came to Ole Miss from Charleston, MS, as a 4-star athlete and appeared in 12 games as a true freshman, but he opted to transfer to Northeast Community College for a year before coming back to Ole Miss for the 2021 season.
In ’21, Deantre appeared in all 13 games and started 7 while statistically having his best season. In ’22, Prince started all 13 games and led the team with 11 pass breakups.
This season, as the lock down corner against the opposing team’s best wideout most of the time, Deantre registered 34 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback sack, 1 interception, 5 passes broken up and 1 forced fumble.
Now, as the Rebels vie for their record-setting 11th win of the year as the Peach Bowl against Penn State looms, Deantre wants to go out with a good taste in his mouth.
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“The 11th win means everything to me for myself and for the team,” he stated. “When I left Ole Miss and then came back, I wanted to prove that I could be that guy at corner they cold depend on and part of that is making sure I do my part to help this great team finish on the right note.”
Prince says the defensive players are getting ready for a very physical game against the Nittany Lions, who prefer running the ball to passing.
At the same time, he knows they will also take some shots in the air when the timing is right for them.
“They like to play smash mouth football and run the ball right at you. We know that, but we have to be ready for their passing game as well because while they prefer to run the ball, they will pass and they are effective with it when they take their shots,” he noted. “We all have to make sure we take care of our assignments and stay home and do our jobs.”
Penn State reminds Prince of Auburn’s offense, only more physical.
“They like to run through you. They have good offensive guards and tackles and they like to bring the fight right to you. Smash mouth football,” he ended. “We have to be ready for a physical game.”
Senior Deantre Prince wants to leave a permanent mark on the Ole Miss football program.
11 wins would do it.
