Ole Miss will host its annual Elite Camp in early June. A year ago, it was wildly successful, in large part due to the relationships the Rebels’ coaches had built with a deep class of talented Mississippi players.
A year later, the relationships are there again, but the number of elite level prospects in Mississippi isn’t comparable to a year ago.
Still, there are several prospects to keep an eye on summer approaches, including many who will be spending a weekend in Oxford in a few weeks. From talking to sources, Ole Miss coaches will certainly have their eyes wide open as they evaluate a handful of as-of-yet-unoffered prospects from the Magnolia State.
Several prospects from the coast fit that description. For example, Pascagoula cornerback Cordaryl Weathersby is a player under the microscope at a position of need. Weathersby is still being evaluated, in large part because of his smallish frame. However, if Weathersby can display elite speed, he could land an offer. According to sources, he’ll grab it if it’s extended.
Ole Miss will also likely use its elite camp to make a decision regarding Vancleave linebacker Jerry McCorvey. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder attended a junior day in Oxford.
The Gulfport duo of wide receiver Travon Travis and linebacker Jamison Goins will also look to increase their respective stock in Oxford. Travis is looked at by some as a bit of a ‘tweener. In other words, is he fast enough? Is he tall enough? His camp performance will be critical.
Staying on the Gulf Coast, Long Beach defensive tackle Nick James is a major priority for schools all over the South. However, multiple sources believe James simply can’t quality and will likely have to begin his collegiate career at the junior college level. Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and Mississippi State are all putting together plans for James to go to a junior college before making the jump to the Division I level.
James’ teammate, linebacker Richie Brown, is accumulating offers. Kentucky offered on Wednesday, but the two schools believed to be Brown’s favorites _ Ole Miss and LSU _ are still evaluating. Some sources close to the Ole Miss program believe Brown is a faster version of former Mississippi State standout linebacker Chris White. Others want to make sure he’s physical enough to play at the SEC level.
Summit (North Pike) defensive end A.J. Jefferson is emerging as a priority for Ole Miss. The Rebels, per sources, are in strong shape, but LSU and Mississippi State have also done a great job recruiting him. Jefferson’s teammate, defensive end Vernon Butler, is also expected in Oxford next month. Several evaluators believe Butler’s upside rivals Jefferson’s, and that’s saying something.
Jackson (Provine) offensive guard Cordarrly Gaines appears to be an Ole Miss lean, per sources. The Rebels appear to want him as part of what is shaping up as another strong offensive line class.
Morton defensive tackle Quay Evans was named to the Rivals250 earlier this week, and sources indicate the battle for his services is shaping us as an Egg Bowl clash. Alabama, long believed to be a major player for Evans, appears to be backing off a bit, per sources.
Aberdeen defensive end Channing Ward, meanwhile, is playing things close to the vest. If Ole Miss has a bounce-back season (6-6 or better), the Rebels are going to be major players, if not flat-out tough to beat. If the Rebels struggle mightily again, all bets are off. Mississippi State, Alabama, LSU and others have done strong jobs recruiting Ward and could easily land his signature.
A year later, the relationships are there again, but the number of elite level prospects in Mississippi isn’t comparable to a year ago.
Still, there are several prospects to keep an eye on summer approaches, including many who will be spending a weekend in Oxford in a few weeks. From talking to sources, Ole Miss coaches will certainly have their eyes wide open as they evaluate a handful of as-of-yet-unoffered prospects from the Magnolia State.
Several prospects from the coast fit that description. For example, Pascagoula cornerback Cordaryl Weathersby is a player under the microscope at a position of need. Weathersby is still being evaluated, in large part because of his smallish frame. However, if Weathersby can display elite speed, he could land an offer. According to sources, he’ll grab it if it’s extended.
Ole Miss will also likely use its elite camp to make a decision regarding Vancleave linebacker Jerry McCorvey. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder attended a junior day in Oxford.
The Gulfport duo of wide receiver Travon Travis and linebacker Jamison Goins will also look to increase their respective stock in Oxford. Travis is looked at by some as a bit of a ‘tweener. In other words, is he fast enough? Is he tall enough? His camp performance will be critical.
Staying on the Gulf Coast, Long Beach defensive tackle Nick James is a major priority for schools all over the South. However, multiple sources believe James simply can’t quality and will likely have to begin his collegiate career at the junior college level. Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and Mississippi State are all putting together plans for James to go to a junior college before making the jump to the Division I level.
James’ teammate, linebacker Richie Brown, is accumulating offers. Kentucky offered on Wednesday, but the two schools believed to be Brown’s favorites _ Ole Miss and LSU _ are still evaluating. Some sources close to the Ole Miss program believe Brown is a faster version of former Mississippi State standout linebacker Chris White. Others want to make sure he’s physical enough to play at the SEC level.
Summit (North Pike) defensive end A.J. Jefferson is emerging as a priority for Ole Miss. The Rebels, per sources, are in strong shape, but LSU and Mississippi State have also done a great job recruiting him. Jefferson’s teammate, defensive end Vernon Butler, is also expected in Oxford next month. Several evaluators believe Butler’s upside rivals Jefferson’s, and that’s saying something.
Jackson (Provine) offensive guard Cordarrly Gaines appears to be an Ole Miss lean, per sources. The Rebels appear to want him as part of what is shaping up as another strong offensive line class.
Morton defensive tackle Quay Evans was named to the Rivals250 earlier this week, and sources indicate the battle for his services is shaping us as an Egg Bowl clash. Alabama, long believed to be a major player for Evans, appears to be backing off a bit, per sources.
Aberdeen defensive end Channing Ward, meanwhile, is playing things close to the vest. If Ole Miss has a bounce-back season (6-6 or better), the Rebels are going to be major players, if not flat-out tough to beat. If the Rebels struggle mightily again, all bets are off. Mississippi State, Alabama, LSU and others have done strong jobs recruiting Ward and could easily land his signature.
