Stanley takes command of starting role

After weeks of guessing, Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt answered the big question on Monday, naming redshirt sophomore Nathan Stanley the Rebels starting quarterback. 

“It’s a great feeling,” Stanley said. “I’ve been here two years now going on my third and I’ve been in the back-up role behind Jevan. Now, I’m just excited about going out there (Saturday) to get my first start. Hopefully things go great.”

Nutt’s ruling on the quarterback competition between Stanley, Oregon transfer Jeremiah Masoli and junior college transfer Randall Mackey was further cemented when Masoli was ruled ineligible for the 2010 by the NCAA on Tuesday. 

Stanley competed against Raymond Cotton, now at South Alabama, in the spring and was anointed the starter for the Grove Bowl. Even after Masoli arrived in Oxford, Stanley has remained atop the depth chart. 

The 6-foot-5, 205 pound Oklahoma native said he expects to experience a few nerves when he first enters Saturday’s game. But he’s still confident in his ability to guide the Rebels to a victory against Jacksonville State. 

“I’m prepared for this,” he said. “Coach Rader has done a real good job of getting me and all of us co-quarterbacks prepared.”

Last year’s starter at quarterback, Jevan Snead, led the nation in interceptions (20) before bolting to the NFL after his junior year. 

With Stanley, turnovers haven’t been much of an issue.  

In the Grove Bowl he completed 11-of-16 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. In the Rebels second team scrimmage of the fall, Stanley displayed accuracy when he threw for 117 yards while going a near-perfect 10-for-11 passing. He also ran for a 20-yard score.

“I feel like I came a long way this summer,” Stanley said at Ole Miss Media Day. “I’ve gotten so much more comfortable with this team as far as understanding each one of my receivers, their different body language and how each one of them are different. I’ve also watched a lot of film which has helped me out a lot.”

Stanley wasn’t afraid to admit that playing behind Snead (who is now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) the past two seasons has benefitted him tremendously.

“I really had no idea Jevan was going to leave, actually,” Stanley said. “I was kind of surprised. Ever since I got here Jevan was nothing but helpful to me. If I ever had any questions and I went to him he would go out of his way to help me.” 

One of Stanley’s top receiving targets this season has been 6-foot-7 sophomore, Melvin Harris. Harris noted how he and Stanley have anxiously waited for starting roles and to become known commodities for the Rebels. 

“When we first came in as freshman we talked about after a few years being on scout team and playing roles as scout teamers that one day, it would be our chance to go out and show people what we can do for the Ole Miss Rebels,” Harris said. “We’ve always had that bond and I was telling him that this is the year that we need to step up because we lost a lot of seniors last year.”

Stanley has earned the respect and confidence from his coaches and teammates necessary to lead the Rebels Saturday.  

“I’m just going to stay focused,” Stanley said. “We’re taking these guys (Jacksonville State) seriously. We plan to go out there and execute what we’ve been working on the past two weeks.”