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With the calendar flipped to 2018 and college football with only one game left this season after tonight, lets' take an early look at Ole Miss' 2018 depth chart and see who's gone and what each position group looks like for the first year of the Matt Luke tenure without the interim tag.

In the need to replace section, we include returning starters or significant contributors. The confidence factor is on a scale of 10 and reflects how we feel about the Rebels next season at that respective position. We'll start with the Ole Miss offense.

Returning Starters: Jordan Ta'amu

Need to Replace: Shea Patterson

Overview: Ta'amu was quite the surprise for Ole Miss when Shea Patterson went down with injury, as the junior college transfer excelled in the passing game and showed some straight-line running ability that elevates Phil Longo's offense. He's also patient in the pocket and stayed within the offense most of the time.

Ta'amu threw 11 touchdowns and only four interceptions while putting up a higher completion percentage and a better efficiency rating compared to Patterson.

Patterson transferred to Michigan, so depth is a tremendous factor should something happen to Ta'amu. Redshirt Alex Faniel and athlete Jason Pellerin are other scholarship players on the current roster, but there will be eyes on Rivals100 prospect Matt Corral, who signed with the Rebels in December. He's the likely backup, much like Patterson was the option once Chad Kelly went down. That same redshirt or don't redshirt conversation could occur there.

All in all, though, Ta'amu gives Ole Miss confidence and is a proven commodity at the most important position. The position doesn't get graded on the ability of the backup.

Confidence Factor: 8/10

Returning Starters: None

Need to Replace: Jordan Wilkins

Overview: This is a major question mark offensively as Ole Miss loses 1,000-yard rusher Jordan Wilkins. The senior lost a year of eligibility in 2016 because of an academic snafu. Wilkins ran for 1,011 yards this past season, the fifth best total in school history.

Ole Miss also loses Eugene Brazley and former four-star prospect D'Vaughn Pennamon suffered a serious leg injury against Texas A&M, making his timetable unknown. Eric Swinney is the most experienced back on the roster. The survivor of two major leg injuries, Swinney averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 41 rushes -- the fourth most carries on the roster.

The Rebels have high hopes for Scott Phillips, a junior college signee out of Jones County. The Rebels need Phillips to transition well to this level, as Wilkins leaves major shoes to fill.

Confidence Factor: 3/10

Returning Starters: A.J. Brown, DaMarkus Lodge, D.K. Metcalf, Braylon Sanders

Need to Replace: Van Jefferson, Markell Pack

Overview: Ole Miss returns the bulk of one of the best wide receiver groups in the country. A.J. Brown set the game and season receiving yards records during 2017, picking up 1,252 on the season to top Laquon Treadwell's previous school record and 233 yards in the season opener against South Alabama to beat out Eddie Small's 210 yards from a 1993 game against Vanderbilt.

Metcalf and Lodge are playmakers, as well, and make it difficult for teams to sell out on covering Brown. Freshman Braylon Sanders also came along well during his first season and should play a major role in 2018. Jefferson transferred to Florida and Pack is out of eligibility, so there are losses at the position. The Rebels need another body or two for depth, but the star power makes this far from a concern.

Confidence Factor: 10/10

Returning Starters: Dawson Knox

Need to Replace: None

Overview: No one was going to be Evan Engram, the Giants' first round draft pick that has excelled during his first season in the NFL, but Knox was extremely effective this past season. The former walk-on athlete caught 24 passes for 321 yards and improved greatly during the second half of the season. Offseason surgery shouldn't be a concern for 2018.

Ole Miss also has Octavious Cooley back after he appeared in 10 games, and the Rebels used Michael Howard as a blocking tight end. Knox, a high school quarterback, is the reason for optimism, as he can add another element to the receiver group and also stand up to the blocking that's required.

Confidence Factor: 7/10

Returning Starters: Javon Patterson, Greg Little, Jordan Sims, Alex Givens, Sean Rawlings

Need to Replace: Rod Taylor, Daronte Bouldin

Overview: Ole Miss should be very good up front next season, as it returns a complete starting unit and is excited about some of the youngsters that have redshirted and been in the program for a year.

Greg Little is a future NFL left tackle and the anchor of the unit, while Javon Patterson and Sean Rawlings have played a lot of quality football over multiple seasons. Givens and Sims have been flexible and rotated to different spots along the line, giving Luke and Jack Bicknell options throughout the season.

Taylor and Bouldin are losses as three-year letterwinners, but it's manageable compared to the turnover that will occur following this coming season. There's experience and talent without question, and depth should be solid if Bryce Mathews, Ben Brown, Royce Newman or others emerge in their second years on campus. Jack DeFoor recently left the program and is expected to land at Georgia Tech.

Confidence Factor: 8/10