For years, Jeremy Liggins resisted when it was implied he would be better served moving away from quarterback and closer to the line of scrimmage.

This spring, however, Liggins is embracing his role as an offensive tackle.

“With this opportunity to go make this money and play this position, I just say, ‘Forget quarterback,’” Liggins said following one of the Rebels’ spring practices earlier this week. “I’m an offensive lineman now.”

Liggins, an Oxford, Miss., native who originally signed with LSU but failed to qualify, began his Ole Miss career in 2014 as a wildcat quarterback. He played last season as a tight end but he recorded just one catch as it became more and more obvious his football future was as an offensive tackle.

With Laremy Tunsil and Fahn Cooper off to the NFL and Robert Conyers out for the spring while he recovers from knee surgery, Liggins’ opportunity is now.

It’s going great,” Liggins said. “I feel like I really belong. I played a lot there last spring, so I’m used to all the calls and the checks. I played there quite a bit in bowl practice too. I was prepared for this.”

Ole Miss offensive line coach Matt Luke said he’s liked what he’s seen from Liggins so far this spring.

“I’ve been really pleased with Jeremy,” Luke said. He’s really, really athletic. I’ve been really pleased with what he’s done the first four days. I think he has a lot of carryover from the reps that we got him on the O-line in bowl practice and things like that, which helps. We’re still in the early stages of install, but he’s done well retaining what we’ve done so far. The whole playbook isn’t in at once. We just kind of build it in. …We’re going pretty slow but he’s down well as far as retaining the information.

“The biggest thing is he looks more comfortable. He doesn’t look out of place in his stance or in the communication with the guys. I don’t think he feels like it’s foreign to him. I think he’s one of the guys, and I think he’s embracing that role. He’s doing a good job.”

Liggins has so completely embraced the position change that he’s switched from No. 15 to Tunsil’s old No. 78.

“I like the challenge,” Liggins said. “I’m always up for the challenge”

As for the jersey number, Liggins wanted No. 74, but that number belongs to five-star offensive tackle Gregory Little, who signed with Ole Miss last month and will enroll in June. So he picked Tunsil’s number and has picked the future first-round draft choice’s brain every chance he’s gotten.

“I’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill,” Liggins said. “I’ve been talking to LT about the position a lot, and he thinks I’m going to be good at it. I’m working with him. Hopefully, I can fill his shoes.”

Another Ole Miss offensive lineman, guard Javon Patterson, said he’s been more than a little impressed by Liggins’ work at times this spring.

“Man, that dude’s athletic,” Patterson said. “He’s very special. Just being athletic helps him a lot. On the offensive line, you have to have good feet, good body placement, all that. I think he can do a numerous amount of things. He can pull. He can play left or right. Just his versatility helps him a lot.”

Liggins’ weight has always been an issue. He’s listed on Ole Miss’ spring roster at 6-foot-3, 302 pounds. Liggins said he’s actually tipping the scales at 315, a weight he’s happy with.

Instead of fighting calories, Liggins is working as diligently as possible on his technique. Specifically, he’s working on getting more vertical with his kick slide technique, keeping the rusher in front of him without opening up his shoulders and allowing a free outside rush.

“I’ve really been waiting on this opportunity to showcase my talent at this position,” Liggins said. “So I just look at it as a blessing.”

VERSATILITY CRITICAL FOR REBELS O-LINE: Patterson is working at center before and after practices this spring. Fellow rising sophomore Jordan Sims is doing the same thing. Another rising sophomore, Sean Rawlings, is working at center and tackle.

“Being versatile is a big part of offensive line,” Patterson said. “You can have guys go down at any moment. You have to have guys who can come in and play right away.”

Those three sophomores figure to anchor the Rebels’ offensive front for years to come. They all played roles in wins last season over teams such as Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Mississippi State.

“Those are big-time games that me, Sean and Jordan played in,” Patterson said. “Having new faces, we’re all working on getting together and building team chemistry and that one degree to help us be a great offensive line.”