Ole Miss football's three most explosive players for the 2023 season
Continuing with the holiday week theme Ole Miss football has plenty of talent up and down its roster this season but which are the most explosive players?
The offense is littered with play makers and it feels like an embarrassment of riches in this category and there will be selections from that side of the ball. But there is one pick on the defensive side of things that may surprise people.
For success to be had this fall Ole Miss is going to need plenty of fireworks from key players and the supporting cast is going to have to do its part for 12 games.
But when looking specifically at the most explosive players here are three that are perfect to strong candidates.
Related: Three Ole Miss football games that will provide fireworks in 2023
Quinshon Judkins – Ole Miss Running Back
Duh. This is the first and obvious name to put on this or any list.
Quinshon Judkins was the lifeblood of the Ole Miss offense at times in 2022 and that is not going to change this year. Now the star and leader of the running backs room Judkins looks to defend his Southeastern Conference rushing title from a year ago.
A year older and wiser is going to pay dividends for Judkins as SEC defenses are now going to have tape on him and also know from the jump he is a guy to cover every game.
Breakaway runs such as the 41-yard touchdown against Auburn to seal an Ole Miss victory last season is exhibit A for why Judkins is the most explosive player in the Rebels locker room.
Last year Judkins had 42 rush attempts of at least 10 yards and earned 91 first downs. His longest run of the season was for 61 yards against Texas A&M.
Any firepower Ole Miss expects to display this season is going to have to begin with Judkins. The ground game becomes explosive and it will open things up in the air for the passing game.
Cedric Johnson – Defensive End
Maybe this one is more wishful thinking or expectations based off potential but Cedric Johnson is one of the more explosive players on the front line of the Ole Miss defense.
There were highs and lows for Johnson last season, who self-admittedly put pressure on himself of trying to replace Sam Williams. That did not work out, at least where the stat sheet is concerned, but Johnson did have moments where he displayed that firepower.
One example is Johnson’s blocked punt against Georgia Tech.
Injuries hampered Johnson as the 2022 campaign went on which he took care of with offseason surgery that caused him to miss the spring. He is expected to be at 100 percent come fall camp in a month.
Despite not playing at full strength for the entire season Johnson still finished with four sacks and 32 tackles.
Jaxson Dart – Ole Miss Quarterback
Yes, Jaxson Dart is and needs to be one of the top explosive players for Ole Miss this year.
No elite offense is without a play maker at quarterback and if the Rebels are wanting to make that move up the SEC food chain then Dart has to become just that.
Last season was a solid start for Dart who looked to be improving his play as the year went on even though the game results were not reflective of it.
Throwing for nearly 3,000 yards his first season in Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin’s system is reason enough for Dart to be considered an explosive player. Dart’s yards per attempt averaged out to 8.2, meaning that is the average number of yards gained per attempt.
Those numbers will have to increase in Dart’s second year but if going off Matt Corral’s improvements in year two under Kiffin then there is reason to be optimistic about Dart’s chances of becoming even more explosive.
A passing attack may have to be eased into this year with a wide receivers room trying to mesh new faces in with returners as a top threat out wide emerges.
