Ole Miss Backup Quarterbacks Get Reps in Spring Practice

When the Ole Miss Rebels hit the practice field this week, their top player, quarterback Bo Wallace, will not be with the team. Wallace is recovering from surgery on his shoulder which will prohibit him from practicing with the team in the spring.

Wallace had a good season for the Rebels in 2012. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,994 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he did throw 17 interceptions. Wallace was also the second-leading rusher for Ole Miss, with 390 yards on the ground, and he led the team with eight rushing touchdowns.

Wallace’s absence from spring practice opens the door for his backups to make an impression. Senior Barry Brunetti and sophomore Maikhail Miller will split reps at quarterback during spring drills, according to head coach Hugh Freeze.

Brunetti was a factor in the Ole Miss offense last season, passing for 196 yards and rushing for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

Miller played in two games as a freshman last season, rushing six times for 23 yards. However, he could be the player that benefits most from Wallace’s absence from spring drills. If Miller can show the ability that the coaches think he has, he could be in line to take some snaps this fall for the Rebels.

Brunetti has expressed an interest in being a jack of all trades player, one who could be a quarterback, a running back and a wide receiver. That could be his role in the Ole Miss offense this fall, but that remains to be seen.

Both Brunetti and Miller will get a chance in the spring to show what they can do. Whether or not that is enough to unseat Wallace at quarterback remains to be seen. However, Rebel fans will likely see all three players on the field this fall, in at one position or another.