OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss strapped on the pads and players were allowed to hit each other for the first time this spring during a spirited two-hour practice at the Indoor Practice Facility on Friday.
“It was a physical day,” said head coach Hugh Freeze. “We’ve got two days off now from hitting, so we had to get out and get after each other a little bit. I liked what I saw. I thought both sides did some good things. Obviously there’s a long way to go, but no question that their energy and passion was good.”
The defense had a solid day on the practice field, despite key linemen C.J. Johnson, Issac Gross and Cameron Whigham sitting out with injuries.
“That’s just part of it,” Freeze said. “It gives other kids a chance. We moved John Youngblood back to defense and started getting him reps over there. They’re doing some good things on defense.”
Johnson, who suffered a fracture of his right fibula on Wednesday, had surgery on Thursday.
“Everything went well,” Freeze said. “I expect him to be back with us and ready to go in the fall.”
Freeze noted the progress of Nick Brassell at cornerback.
“Nick Brassell had a tremendous day,” Freeze said. “He caused a couple of turnovers and made a couple of big hits.”
The Rebels’ fifth spring practice is scheduled for Monday at 8 a.m.
All spring practices are open to the public. Use of cell phones and cameras are prohibited for fans at practice, and fans must remain in the designated area. Fans are not allowed between the practice fields.
For an updated schedule of practice times and locations, please refer to the 2013 Spring Practice Schedule button located on the left side of the OleMissSports.com football home page. All information is tentative and subject to change.