Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly in good shape after surgery

HOOVER, Ala. – Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly was pulled from spring drills during the last week to have sports hernia surgery.

He’s had no ill effects in his comeback and is on schedule for August practice.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze says he has to slow Kelly down. Kelly and freshman quarterback Shea Patterson, who is competing with redshirt freshman Jason Pellerin for the No. 2 spot, were in the football building at 5:30 a.m. Thursday throwing in advance of a 6:30 workout.

“They’re over the top,” Freeze said. “They need to calm down a little bit, but I love that about them.”

Expecting a big role

Evan Engram’s decision to return for his senior was shaped in part by how he’ll be used in the offense this season.

“Definitely. That was most of the conversation with the coaching staff when I was making my decision,” he said.

Exactly what that will look like remains to be seen.

“All that stuff is going to take place in the game plan once we get into the season. Right now we’re building team chemistry, working on the basics and attacking our workouts together.”

Ole Miss began last season with three quarterbacks getting game reps, and Kelly working on deep patterns when they were open.

Along the way Engram got off to a slow start in terms of receptions with only two catches in the first two games, five in the first three.

He finished with 38 receptions – the same as in 2014 – but his average per catch dropped from 17.4 to 12.2.

Other injury updates

There have been no rehab setbacks for defensive back Tony Conner (knee surgery) or offensive lineman Robert Conyers (knee surgery).

Wide receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow (ankle) and offensive lineman Rod Taylor (shoulder surgery) both “look good,” Freeze said.

The comeback that is slow at this time is defensive end Fadol Brown (foot stress fracture).

Just this week Brown began a more aggressive form of treatment.

“They’re trying some new, I want to say shock therapy, to get the blood flow there. He started that this week, so he’s going to be in a boot getting that treatment for four weeks. We’re hopeful this well help him turn the corner,” Freeze said.

High expectations for DL without Nkemdiche

D.J. Jones, a first-year junior college transfer last season, is listed as the starting nose tackle on the preseason depth chart.

He likes the potential of a defensive line that must replace a first-round draft pick in Robert Nkemdiche.

One wild card that could really boost the unit – if he stays healthy – is senior Issac Gross, who missed last season with a neck injury.

“We have guys like Breeland Speaks and Issac that make plays just like Robert did. They take up gaps just like Robert did. Robert was a great player, but we’ve got players that can come in and make plays,” Jones said.

He himself is no stranger to making plays. Jones appeared in every game with three starts last year and finished with 40 tackles, 5 1-2 for loss, and four sacks.

He hopes to improve his pass rush as a senior.

“That’s what I’m focusing on, so on third down I’m not coming off the field.”

Law and order

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Breeland Speaks (DUI) and Taylor (suspicion of shoplifting) are progressing in the discipline handed down for their arrests.

That discipline may or may not include suspension from the season opener against Florida State.

“That would be up to them and how they fulfill (their discipline). If another episode happens it won’t be up to them, but on the first one with these that are misdemeanor type deals they can earn their way without missing playing time. Every situation is different obviously, but they seem to be doing well so far,” Freeze said.

Newcomers and eligibility

Freshman Jarrion Street, a running back from Trussville, Alabama, has not been completely cleared but is working toward that goal.

Freshman Tariq Tisdale, a linebacker from Lexington, Tennessee, will not qualify.

Freeze would not comment on the status of defensive end Qaadir Sheppard, a possible transfer from Syracuse.

This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly in good shape after surgery."