ATLANTA — Jordan Ta'amu can pinpoint the exact moment he knew Ole Miss was his team to lead.
It came last season, in the Rebels' Week 9 game against Arkansas. Ta’amu was making his first SEC start, coming on in replacement of Shea Patterson, injured the week before against LSU.
“First snap of the game, I'm like, 'Wow, this is unbelievable. I can’t believe this is happening,'” Ta’amu told reporters at SEC Media Days. “Like, I dreamed of this when I was a kid, and I finally get the opportunity.”
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He completed 20 of 30 passes for 368 yards, rushing for 76 more and two scores in a 38-37 Ole Miss loss. Regardless, it was an important moment for Ta'amu: It instilled in him the knowledge he could be successful quarterbacking the Rebels — a quiet confidence that followed him into 2018.
The difference this year? He's the unquestioned leader, Day 1. All his preparation comes with the knowledge he's "the guy" in Oxford. It's a prospect that has Ole Miss coach Matt Luke excited at the possibilities.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him now having a full offseason, a full spring, full summer to build that rapport and to build that leadership, because this is his team," Luke said. "I think he'll only continue to grow in (offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s) offense, and I think he'll have a heck of a season."
That should be the case in 2018, if last year is any indication. By the end of the season, it appeared Ta'amu had not only taken command of the offense, but had also proved himself one of the SEC’s biggest threats at quarterback. He has good touch on his long balls and breakaway speed, which helped him put up 1,682 passing yards and 15 total touchdowns in just seven games.
He's a unique talent, able to gash defenses on the ground or through the air. Coupled with offensive tackle Greg Little and wide receiver A.J. Brown — Sporting News preseason All-Americans — he makes the Ole Miss offense a viable threat in the SEC West.
That said, you won't hear Ta'amu hype himself up — not loudly, at least. The soft-spoken Hawaiian isn’t the type to bring attention on himself. Even as a leader, he doesn't yell if he sees something that needs to be fixed. He'd much prefer to speak to teammates individually.
That won't be a problem for teammates in 2018. His actions last year have already said plenty.
"A guy that has zero SEC starts under his belt, and you see this guy coming in who is so composed and confident," offensive lineman Sean Rawlings said. "He portrayed that to the whole offense, and then the offense adapts that confidence. Having him and his composure is what sets him apart."
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Composure is fine and good, but Ta'amu is more than a calming presence for Ole Miss.
He gives the Rebels something to look forward to watching in 2018, a season that will see them miss bowl season once again. And he's going to do it by staying the same.
"I'm just going to be myself, like I always am," Ta’amu said. "I'm not going to change up for anybody. I’m not going to change the way I do things. I'm just going to be me, and be what I have to be."
That's reason enough for the Rebels to get excited in 2018.
