OXFORD – Ole Miss players enjoyed unseasonably cool temperatures, an overcast sky and a steady breeze Thursday afternoon, a combination that had the Rebels’ defense playing with a spring in its step.

“Our defense really brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the field. They were swarming to the football,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said.

With Darius “Tig” Barksdale no longer available – his status this season is unclear due to health concerns – the search for depth at safety focuses on Derrick Herman, Jared Mitchell and former walk-on George Helow, a noted special teams performer.

“Two of those three guys have got to come on,” Nutt said.

There is no immediate plan to move a player from another position to the secondary, an area Nutt has said from the beginning of camp was short on depth.

“I don’t see that guy,” he said.

One defensive player not available for Thursday’s work was senior defensive end Greg Hardy, who attended the full-gear gathering in shorts, a T-shirt and a walking boot on his surgically prepared foot.

Nutt described Hardy’s absence as “precautionary.”

Also missing the practice were freshmen Bobby Massie, Zaccheus Mason, Ryan Campbell and Frank Crawford to attend new student orientation. Classes begin Monday.

Nutt also announced that incoming freshman Mike Marry, a linebacker, has decided to “grayshirt” and join the football program in January. Marry turned down a scholarship offer from Iowa State.