From Monday’s press luncheon at the U of M . . .

* Here are some alterations to the Tiger defensive depth chart as game preparations for Ole Miss begins:

DEFENSIVE LINE — When fall camp began, junior Clinton McDonald was listed third at left end. He was moved inside and will start at left defensive tackle, ahead of Ryan Williams. Freddie Barnett, listed No. 1 at left tackle when camp began, will back up Steven Turner at right tackle. Barnett, expected to be a force in the middle of the line, was slowed by missing most of the spring with a torn pec muscle. The two-deep at the defensive end positions remain unchanged: Corey Mills and Jada Brown at left end (health permitting) and Josh Weaver and Greg Terrell at right end.

LINEBACKER — The only shakeup here was at middle linebacker. Junior college transfer Tommy Phelps entered camp atop the depth chart, but fell back due to a pre-camp illness that robbed him of 10-12 pounds. Redshirt freshman Winston Bowens jumped ahead of Phelps and veteran Heath Grant.

DEFENSIVE BACK – The safeties (Brandon Patterson and backup Tony Bell at free and Dontae Reed and backup Bernard Key at strong) are roughly as they were from early in the camp. Alton Starr, who entered camp as a backup at strong safety, was moved to cornerback and emerged from preseason practice as the starter at right corner. LaKeithrun Ford opened camp at left corner and is set to start at left corner against Ole Miss. Michael Grandberry, who worked with the No. 1 defense most of the preseason, opens the season as Ford’s backup.