Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Ole Miss already has enough personnel issues that the Rebels don't need any major injuries, but new coach Hugh Freeze and crew were dealt a blow with the loss of two starters over the weekend. Safety Charles Sawyer, a leader of the defense, will be out 4-6 weeks with a torn quadricep, while receiver Collins Moore could be lost for the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

Sawyer is the biggest lost of the two, as the preseason third-team All-SEC defensive back led the Rebels with four interceptions and had 70 tackles as a sophomore last year and was expected to be the leader of this year's defense.

Hugh Kellenberger, the Rebels beat reporter for the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, reports:

Sawyer's injury means a freshman, either former Under Armour All-American Trae Elston or ... Quintavious Burdette, will likely start at safety on Sept. 1 against Central Arkansas.

"Elston and Burdette, they're going to have to play," Freeze said. "We think they're going to be good ones. How good they're going to be as a true freshman, I don't know. But I love them both."

The two both took a significant amount of snaps with the first team during Monday's practice, and have made a few plays during the first few days of practice. Both also look the part - Elston is 6-foot and 183 pounds, while Burdette is 5-10 and 180.

Still, they're freshmen stepping into the shoes of Ole Miss' most decorated player and a team leader, Sawyer.

CLOWNEY TO THE MIDDLE?
Jadaveon Clowney was maybe the most decorated high school senior when the defensive star stayed home and signed with South Carolina before last season, and Clowney slowly worked himself into a defensive presence as a backup end for the Gamecocks in their 11-2 season in 2011.

Now, Clowney may be setting up some in the middle of the Gamecocks' defense at linebacker. South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier wants to put Clowney into whatever positions can get him to the football and in more one-on-one situation where, if he can live up to the recruiting hype, he should dominate.

According to Willie T. Smith of GreenvilleOnline.com (S.C.):

“We’re going to move him all over the place,” Spurrier said following Monday’s practice. “We have to put him where hopefully he’s most of the time one-on-one with somebody — inside, outside, middle linebacker. There are all kinds of things you can do. It’s a pass rush game out there now, as everybody knows.”

Clowney was a freshman All-American last season on a defense that had several dominant players in the front seven, led by the departed Melvin Ingram (a San Diego Chargers first-round draft choice). Clowney recorded eight sacks and five forced fumbles behind Ingram.