By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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This season will be a true barometer of Haynes talent.

Ole Miss edge rusher Marquis Haynes bursted onto the scene in 2014 as an important rotational piece of that much-heralded cLandsharkd defense that boasted the nations top scoring defense.

As a sophomore, last year, his production soared even higher, registering double digit sacks and finishing top five amongst SEC players in tackles for a loss.

There is no denying his physical gifts. cPeople think hes a one dimensional player,d stated senior nose tackle D.J. Jones, cbut he can play every down. Hes one of the fastest, and strongest guys on the team.d

However, this season, he will be bereft of a few luxuries that may have contributed to his inflated stat line.

For one, he will no longer have the luxury of playing alongside the Robert Oppenheimer inspired destroyer of worlds that is Robert Nkemdiche.

Whereas he used to be an afterthought of offenses, as they sent quadruple and quintuple teams towards Nkemdiche, he will now be at the forefront of every opponents gameplan.

The sign of a truly elite end is the ability to continue to produce at a high level, even when an opposing offense is keying on you. This season will be a true barometer of Haynes talent.

Beyond that, Haynes will now have to shoulder a greater leadership burden. Like it or not, fair or not, when you are a high level player for two consecutive years, by the time that junior season rolls around, its part of your job to be one of the vocal faces of your unit.

The preceding two seasons, Marquis Haynes only duty was to get to the passer, get to the ball carrier, and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Going forward, he will need to continue to do all those things while also being able to rally the troops and carry himself as a leader on the field, in the locker room, and out in the world.

cMarquis has been phenomenal,d head coach Hugh Freeze began. cI love all my players, but hes special to me. He comes by my office everyday, even if its just for a quick chat. Our meetings always end with him saying, 8I love you coach. He wasnt that trusting when he first came to the program, but hes grown a lot.d

Freeze continued, cWhat a freak of an athlete he is. I expect him to be one of the leaders in SEC sacks again.d

Is he a good player? Sure. Is he an incredible athlete? No doubt, like Gwen Stefanis group. However, the true test of whether or not Marquis Haynes can be a great football player will be what he does in 2016, both on and off the field.