[Tuck4Bama]

OXFORD — Ole Miss defensive tackle Jerrell Powe is still waiting for the NCAA's ruling on his academic eligibility.

But coach Ed Orgeron said, as far as he's concerned, Powe is part of the team after nearly three weeks on the practice field.

"Everybody is kind of assuming that he's going to be eligible," Orgeron said during his weekly press conference. "That's kind of the feeling of the team. He's been around so much we've kind of accepted that he's here."

The 6-foot-2, 330-pound Powe has been working with the first-team defense since joining the team on Aug. 9. Orgeron said he's slowly getting into shape after a two-year layoff, but isn't ready to play every snap.

So Orgeron said sophomore Daverin Geralds is expected to start at defensive tackle alongside Peria Jerry on Saturday.

But the Rebels still expect Powe to play a big role in their plans this season.

Rebels expect Powe to make it -The Clarion-Ledger- Real Mississippi