Ole Miss football should attack these 3 positions in transfer portal following spring game

OXFORD — Ole Miss football's spring practices came and went, giving the Rebels' coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate the roster and examine what finishing touches need to be made before the season starts.

Last year, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin found his starting center in the summertime, adding Orlando Umana from Utah weeks before fall camp began. This year, the Rebels have a few needs that could be met by adding a handful of impact players, either for depth or to play as much as Umana did.

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Here's a look at three positions the Rebels should target in the transfer portal.

Wide receiver

Spring practices exposed how thin the Rebels are at receiver when injuries pile up. At the speed Ole Miss plays offense, it's important to have depth on the outside.

Mississippi State transfer Malik Heath should help. Freshmen Jeremiah Dillon and Larry Simmons can also pad the roster. But don't be surprised if Kiffin and company try to add another one or two experienced veterans to play alongside Jonathan Mingo, Jordan Watkins, Jalen Knox and Dannis Jackson.

There are 27 former three-star or four-star wide receivers who have entered the transfer portal without finding a home since April 1 alone. There are going to be plenty of options to choose from, and if the Rebels have a scholarship available, it'd be a bit bizarre not to use one there.

Offensive line

Ole Miss' starting five offensive linemen are set. And the unit looks good. Jeremy James is a natural fit at left tackle. Nick Broeker and Caleb Warren seem comfortable sliding in from left tackle and left guard to left guard and center. Eli Acker is continuing to improve at right guard. And Western Kentucky transfer Mason Brooks is a big addition at right tackle.

Beyond those five players, though, the Rebels have very little experience. Three years of high-volume recruiting have the roster full of freshman and sophomore backups ready for their shots. But if Ole Miss wants to avoid throwing a younger player into the fire, there are plenty of Power 5 and Group of 5 transfers — particularly at tackle — who could sign with Ole Miss as the first or second lineman off the bench.

Linebacker

This one feels more conditional than necessary. If there's an impact linebacker who the Rebels can add as a starter, they absolutely should. But there isn't too big of a need to go out and get a depth piece.

The Rebels' linebacker room will be plenty deep. Freshmen Jaron Willis, Tyler Banks and Jaylon White will arrive in the summer to join senior Ashanti Cistrunk, sophomore Austin Keys, transfer portal adds Troy Brown and Khari Coleman and junior college transfer Reginald Hughes.

The problem this spring was no one emerged as a star in the way Chance Campbell and Mark Robinson did last year. If there's a Campbell-esque talent available, it's worth using a scholarship. But if the Rebels have to choose between building depth through the portal or through their Class of 2022 signees, it's probably best to bet on the freshmen.

Contact Nick Suss at 601-408-2674 or nsuss@gannett.com. Follow @nicksuss on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss football should attack these positions in transfer portal