Hugh Freeze said the "process has begun" into looking into allegations made by Laremy Tunsil's stepfather regarding alleged NCAA violations and interactions with agents. Freeze said Ole Miss is "extremely confident" in the way Ole Miss does things. He said if the season began today, Tunsil would "absolutely" be on the field.
Freeze come out strong against the Confederate flag being part of the Mississippi state flag. Freeze said the symbol has been "hijacked" by some groups that mean ill will toward some people. "While I'm not a political figure, I strongly believe it's time we move in a different direction and change the flag. Hopefully that will happen."
Freeze said he's learned some things from the way Ole Miss finished the 2014 season, adding that he'll do some things differently the next time. He said he believes his team is motivated by that Peach Bowl performance, adding that while he's not sure the Rebels could have won anyway, "but we should have competed."
Freeze said all of the signees have reported and have been cleared except DB Montrell Custis and DE Rasool Clemons. He said he's expecting Custis to be cleared, but he expects Clemons to have to go to junior college.
Freeze said all of the OL are cleared to practice, adding he expects to have quality depth up front "if we stay healthy." He said Aaron Morris is down to 312 pounds. Freeze said he's "real curious" to see how Morris responds from two knee surgeries.
Freeze was asked why he didn't bring Laquon Treadwell, Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil or Tony Conner to SEC Media Days. He said he brought who he brought because of the "totality" of leadership they've provided. "I know what media want. You guys want a story. For us, as coaches, you earn that right. The good thing about our program is it was a difficult decision. We spent a lot of time as coaches, about a week, thinking about who would be the ones."
Freeze said Issac Gross is 230 pounds and he said the program has "tried everything" to get him heavier. Freeze said he has played with the idea of moving him to linebacker, but "that's not who he wants to be and that's not who he is. Maybe a rush defensive end but not linebacker."
Freeze said he talked to Senquez Golson and Bo Wallace last night after Ole Miss won an ESPY for its upset of Alabama last October. "I was excited they could be there and get that award."
Freeze said Justin Bell and Daronte Bouldin have "struggled the most to get the weight down." He said Bell wanted to lose about 30 pounds, but he's only lost 15 so far. "He's definitely one of our leaders in the offensive line," Freeze said.
Freeze said Jeremy Liggins is prepared to go to OT if needed, but "we need him at tight end. Tight end is probably the one place where we're definitely not deep enough."
Freeze said there's no timetable in his mind regarding choosing a starting quarterback. "I'm just excited about them coming in and competing. I really expect it to go into the season." Freeze said all three deserve a chance though he's not sure what that will look like yet. Freeze said there's "no secret" he'd like to have a starter set by the Rebels' trip to Alabama in the third week of the season. "We need to know who the guy's going to be."
Freeze come out strong against the Confederate flag being part of the Mississippi state flag. Freeze said the symbol has been "hijacked" by some groups that mean ill will toward some people. "While I'm not a political figure, I strongly believe it's time we move in a different direction and change the flag. Hopefully that will happen."
Freeze said he's learned some things from the way Ole Miss finished the 2014 season, adding that he'll do some things differently the next time. He said he believes his team is motivated by that Peach Bowl performance, adding that while he's not sure the Rebels could have won anyway, "but we should have competed."
Freeze said all of the signees have reported and have been cleared except DB Montrell Custis and DE Rasool Clemons. He said he's expecting Custis to be cleared, but he expects Clemons to have to go to junior college.
Freeze said all of the OL are cleared to practice, adding he expects to have quality depth up front "if we stay healthy." He said Aaron Morris is down to 312 pounds. Freeze said he's "real curious" to see how Morris responds from two knee surgeries.
Freeze was asked why he didn't bring Laquon Treadwell, Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil or Tony Conner to SEC Media Days. He said he brought who he brought because of the "totality" of leadership they've provided. "I know what media want. You guys want a story. For us, as coaches, you earn that right. The good thing about our program is it was a difficult decision. We spent a lot of time as coaches, about a week, thinking about who would be the ones."
Freeze said Issac Gross is 230 pounds and he said the program has "tried everything" to get him heavier. Freeze said he has played with the idea of moving him to linebacker, but "that's not who he wants to be and that's not who he is. Maybe a rush defensive end but not linebacker."
Freeze said he talked to Senquez Golson and Bo Wallace last night after Ole Miss won an ESPY for its upset of Alabama last October. "I was excited they could be there and get that award."
Freeze said Justin Bell and Daronte Bouldin have "struggled the most to get the weight down." He said Bell wanted to lose about 30 pounds, but he's only lost 15 so far. "He's definitely one of our leaders in the offensive line," Freeze said.
Freeze said Jeremy Liggins is prepared to go to OT if needed, but "we need him at tight end. Tight end is probably the one place where we're definitely not deep enough."
Freeze said there's no timetable in his mind regarding choosing a starting quarterback. "I'm just excited about them coming in and competing. I really expect it to go into the season." Freeze said all three deserve a chance though he's not sure what that will look like yet. Freeze said there's "no secret" he'd like to have a starter set by the Rebels' trip to Alabama in the third week of the season. "We need to know who the guy's going to be."
