Antonio Morales

The Clarion-Ledger

OXFORD - Ole Miss' leader in sacks, defensive end Marquis Haynes, announced he will return to school for his senior season on Wednesday.

Haynes tweeted: "After talking with my parents and coach Freeze, it's best that I return to school and play my senior season as an Ole Miss Rebel."

After the Egg Bowl, Haynes wasn't sure if he'd return to school or enter the NFL draft.

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Haynes posted seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss this season. Both totals led the Rebels. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound edge rusher was Ole Miss' biggest playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.

In addition to the sacks, he forced three fumbles and recorded an interception. At least three of those turnovers led to Ole Miss touchdowns.

He finished the season with 53 tackles, which was third on the team.

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For his career, Haynes has 24.5 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss. His return will give the Rebels, who went 5-7 this season, much needed experience at defensive end next year.

Ole Miss will lose defensive ends Fadol Brown and John Youngblood. Those two took turns starting opposite of Haynes at defensive end this season.

Ole Miss has yet to announce its replacement for retired defensive coordinator Dave Wommack. The Rebels allowed 408 points this season,which was the most during Hugh Freeze's tenure.

"We've got to keep getting better (defensively) and keep gaining chemistry," Haynes said after Ole Miss' Egg Bowl loss.

The Rebels lost junior wide receiver Damore'ea Stringfellow to the NFL draft last week. Stringfellow caught 46 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Contact Antonio Morales at amorales2@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @AntonioCMorales on Twitter.