Lockett impresses in return, Golson’s decision looms

By Bennett Hipp

Petre Thomas | The Daily Mississippian
Defensive end Kentrell Lockett intercepted Barry Brunetti's pass and ran it to
the 1-yard-line, where Brunetti brought him down.

The Rebels defense performed well, scoring a defensive touchdown and keeping pressure on the quarterbacks.

Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said he was pleased with what he saw.

“I saw a lot of good things,” Nix said. “I saw some inconsistency, but I saw some playmakers and saw some guys get pressure on the quarterback. Sometimes we did that when we brought more guys, but sometimes we did it with a four-man rush. I really like how our guys played.”

Even though he still isn’t quite back to 100 percent, senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett had one of the bigger plays of the day when he recorded an interception and returned it down to the 1-yard line.

“The guy that stood out to me the most – first of all – was Kentrell Lockett,” Nix said. “You’re talking about a guy who’s experienced and who is a leader.

“They take the opening drive down and score. We decide to go back the other way, and he bats the ball up and gets in the end zone.”

In addition to Lockett, who unofficially recorded two tackles to go along with his interception, senior defensive end Wayne Dorsey also caught Nix’s eye. Unofficially, Dorsey recorded five tackles and a sack during Saturday’s scrimmage.

“Wayne Dorsey really improved,” Nix said. “He really improved a lot. He’s shown flashes. I’d like to see him continue to improve.”

Golson’s decision coming down to the wire

A report surfaced Saturday afternoon that Ole Miss defensive back and baseball signee Senquez Golson had agreed to terms with the Boston Red Sox.

While that wasn’t the case, negotiations between Golson, an eighth round pick, and the Red Sox are ongoing and decision will come soon.

“It’ll be finalized either tonight or tomorrow,” Golson said of his decision. “That’s all I can say right now. I don’t know much.”

The signing deadline for teams to sign draft picks is midnight on August 15, so Golson will have to make a decision by then.

“(My parents) are in town,” Golson said. “A Red Sox guy is in town. I guess we’ll probably sit down, talk it out and see what is what.”

Golson said that the impending decision didn’t have any effect on how he played or his playing time in Saturday’s scrimmage.

“I came out and played hard, as if I’m going to be here,” Golson said.