Nutt welcomes newcomers to Rebels

Ole Miss football coach Houston Nutt was visibly excited to talk about the start of the 2011 season on Thursday. One of the main reasons for his upbeat attitude revolves around his strong group of freshmen and newcomers that officially reported to campus for the start of summer drills that begin on Saturday.

With the exception of two newcomers — defensive back Denzel Nkemdiche and defensive end Kameron Wood — the remaining members of the class were ready to start work Nutt said.

A third signee, Taylorsville standout linebacker Marcus Mayers, did not qualify academically. (August 5, 2011, Page 8A)

Decker impressed with freshmen class

Freshmen football players officially report to camp at Ole Miss today. The talented class, that earned a consensus top 20 ranking by recruiting services, have been working out together since the first summer school session started and demonstrating how close they are as a group during those workouts.

Ole Miss head strength coach Don Decker has seen how hard this year’s group of freshmen and newcomers have worked and said that based on what he has seen from them the last few months, this class is worthy of the accolades. (August 4, 2011, Page 6)

Decker pleased with Rebels’ summer work

A prevailing theme from the Ole Miss players who have been on campus throughout the summer, working out and improving their bodies for the upcoming 2011 football season, has been how challenging the workouts have been.

For Ole Miss strength coach Don Decker, who has heard the same feedback from the players and his staff, the goals heading into the offseason were to get the Rebels in better physical shape while also creating better unity. Based on how the workouts progressed heading into the start of camp, the consensus is the team is in better shape physically and in better harmony with one another, arguably the biggest byproduct of the offseason conditioning work Decker said. (August 3, 2011, Page 8)

Marry ready to hit 2011 season

Hard work is something all the Ole Miss football players have had to used to this offseason. For sophomore linebacker Mike Marry, putting in the hours to improve both physically and mentally doesn’t seem to be a problem.

For one of the many Rebels who is looking to put the results of the 2010 season behind them, Marry has seen his teammates improve under the direction of strength coach Don Decker over the last few months. (July 1, 2011, Page 8A)

Nutt wants to see his Rebels finish

Ole Miss football coach Houston Nutt may not know which of the four scholarship quarterbacks currently on the roster will start the 2011 season opener against BYU. He may not know who will step up and fill the vacated roles of Jerrell Powe and Ted Laurent on the defensive line, or even who will be the next go-to wide receiver in the new-look offense coordinated by first-year coach David Lee. (more…) (March 29, 2011, Page 8)

Decker pleased with Rebels’ summer workouts

Strength and conditioning are two keys to having a successful football team each fall and two of the big reasons why the Rebels have won back-to-back Cotton Bowl titles. (July 30, 2010, Page 6A)