We’ll start with the latest we can gather from the coaching search. Ole Miss will interview Arizona Cardinals secondary coach Donnie Henderson today. However, it certainly sounds like he’ll have to be impressive to unseat Kansas State secondary coach Keith Burns, who has emerged as the frontrunner for that position, per multiple sources.
The second vacancy on the Rebels’ coaching staff could be filled by Oklahoma State assistant Gunter Brewer or former Ole Miss, Miami and Auburn assistant Joe Pannunzio. Asked for comment, Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt reiterated “there is a process I must go through. I’m still interviewing.” Sources have said it's possible Brewer joins the staff with the additional title of passing game coordinator.
Interestingly, there is informed speculation that Nutt might make a fourth move on his staff _ the first, of course, was the hire of Miami Dolphins assistant David Lee as offensive coordinator _ before he’s done. The name that circulates most often is Pannunzio's. If Pannunzio were hired at Ole Miss, it’s likely an on-the-field coach would move to an administrative position.
It’s all speculative at this point, though Nutt said earlier this week he’d like to have his staff completed by early next week or “Wednesday at the latest.” Nutt said Thursday night he hoped there would not be a fourth change. Nutt said he hopes any moves will be complete by the time close to 30 expected visitors reach Oxford Jan. 21.
Rivals.com (RebelGrove.com and RedRaiderSports.com) was the first to report Thursday night that Ole Miss safeties coach Kim Dameron was in Lubbock, Texas, Thursday, interviewing for Texas Tech's defensive back coach opening. It's a decent piece of concrete evidence we have of what coaches will not be retained next season. Damerson is a finalist, but the frontrunner appears to be TT defensive graduate assistant Otis Mounds.
The changes figure to help the Rebels on the recruiting trail. Lee brings NFL experience to the offense, and Brewer, Burns and Pannunzio are widely regarded as very strong recruiters.
Speaking of, the final 19 days of recruiting figure to be interesting. Ole Miss doesn’t have a lot of targets left to follow, but all are critical to the overall success of the 2011 class -- from a need and stars standpoint.
Lake Worth, Fla., running back Tre Mason is one of 25-30 prospects expected in Oxford next weekend. West Virginia is on the periphery, but the race for Mason appears to be an SEC West clash between Auburn and Ole Miss. Both sides seem confident, but the next two weeks figure to tell the tale, so to speak. Look for Nutt to use his one allotted in-home visit early next week and to try to land a commitment from Mason during or shortly after his visit to Oxford. Also, Mason's dad is expected in Oxford with Tre next weekend, and that's big because he hasn't been on other official visits.
Keep an eye on Auburn’s recruiting of running backs in the next couple of weeks. Specifically, watch the recruiting of Savoy Huggins, Marlin Lane and Isaiah Crowell.
Neal’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 70 percent.
Chase’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 55 percent.
Batesville, Miss., wide receiver Nick Brassell will visit Alabama this weekend and Ole Miss next. Mississippi State, which picked up a commitment from Brassell in the fall, is still trying to recruit Brassell, per a source close to the situation. However, the Bulldogs are no longer in the picture.
Alabama, however, is. Two strongly-sourced media sources covering Alabama said Brassell was close to committing to the Crimson Tide and not Ole Miss last Friday in San Antonio. That doesn’t jive with what we were hearing from our sources, but it’s interesting to note nonetheless. A source close to Brassell said Thursday he wouldn’t be surprised if the versatile speedster committed to Nick Saban and Co. in Tuscaloosa. However, he was quick to add that Brassell’s recruitment won’t be over until he signs an LOI. It’s that volatile, that fragile. It’s noteworthy that one of the aforementioned Alabama media members put the odds of a Brassell commitment to Ole Miss at “85 percent.” A source close to Brassell said Thursday he believes proximity to home, as well as Brassell’s relationship with Barry Brunetti, Tobias Singleton and others will push Ole Miss over the top. As we've reported several times, Brassell has yet to take the ACT, but he's allowed to take official visits because he has completed the PLAN -- essentially an ACT practice test. A third source -- that has contact with Brassell -- went as far as to say he expects the athlete to commit to Alabama this weekend and is having doubts that Ole Miss has the time/ability to flip him before National Signing Day. We’re told the Alabama staff is telling Brassell that Ole Miss is “small-time.,” a description that has apparently resonated with Brassell.
Alabama has made up tremendous ground in an attempt to convince Brassell that it has the best plan for his eligibility and academic future and is also the one program that can elevate his game to make the most of his ability -- citing Julio Jones, Javier Arenas, and others. We write all this to show just how complicated and muddy the situation is. It’s far from a slam dunk.
Chase’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 40 percent.
Neal’s Prediction: Just too close to call
Ole Miss is still working on three defensive linemen -- Tupelo’s P.J. Jones, Fullerton (Calif.) College’s Uriah Grant and Miss. Gulf Coast Community College’s Jonathan Jenkins. Jones appears to favor Mississippi State one day, Ole Miss the next. He’s difficult to read. Jenkins’ interest in Ole Miss has faded in recent weeks, and while the Rebels will try to turn him, he’s looking elsewhere. Jenkins says he’ll visit Miami this weekend, Georgia next weekend and Florida the weekend before Signing Day. That leaves Grant, who the Rebels clearly covet. Miami, as we’ve documented, is a wildcard for the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native, but it appears to be a two-team race between Ole Miss and Washington. The 'Canes haven't yet offered. Grant visited Seattle in December; he’ll go to Oxford next weekend. It’s too close to call, but Grant hit it off with Nutt and the Rebels’ depth chart is appealing.
Neal’s Predictions:
P.J. Jones - Mississippi State. Confidence level: 55 percent.
Jonathan Jenkins - Georgia. Confidence level: 55 percent.
Uriah Grant - Ole Miss. Confidence level: 65 percent.
Chase’s Predictions:
P.J. Jones - Mississippi State. Confidence level: 70 percent.
Jonathan Jenkins -- Georgia. Confidence level: 30 percent.
Uriah Grant - Ole Miss. Confidence level: 75 percent.
Ole Miss is still recruiting two linebackers. The Rebels would love to land one, and most believe they’d take both if Philadelphia, Miss., product C.J. Johnson and Lithonia, Ga., native Cedrick Cooper both wanted to play for Tyrone Nix. Johnson will visit Mississippi State this weekend, and the Bulldogs will certainly try to repair the damage done when Manny Diaz left for Texas. Johnson said he’ll visit Ole Miss next weekend, and he’s planning to squeeze in visits to Arkansas and LSU as well.
This is a trust-your-sources deal. Our sources insist Johnson is leaning toward Ole Miss at this juncture, and an incredibly strong source says Johnson would sign with the Rebs if National Signing Day was today. Johnson insists it will be a signing day (Feb. 2) decision. Our gut feeling: He’ll end up at Mississippi State. If the visit to Starkville goes poorly, we’ll admit to being wrong. Until then, it’s just too difficult to believe Dan Mullen can’t win Johnson back into his fold. This is the critical weekend for Johnson. If he leaves Starkville not swayed, then UM is in absolutely great position. One source close to Ole Miss yesterday said the Rebels “feel better than ever” about Johnson.
Neal’s Prediction: Mississippi State. Confidence level: 50 percent
Chase’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 35 percent
Cooper, meanwhile, has been difficult to read. He’s already visited Arkansas and North Carolina. South Carolina, North Carolina State and Ole Miss are also in the mix. Our sources have indicated Arkansas and South Carolina are the Rebels’ key opponents in the race for his services. Here’s something to watch: If Ole Miss commitment Serderius Bryant takes an official visit to Middle Tennessee State on Jan. 28, it’s a sign the Rebels privately feel very good about Johnson and/or Cooper.
Neal’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 40 percent.
Chase’s Prediction: South Carolina. Confidence level: 20 percent
Finally, that leaves Ole Miss’ lone remaining target in the defensive secondary. The Rebels have coveted Greenwood, Miss., cornerback Jermaine Whitehead for more than a year. Whitehead committed to Mississippi State in April, but with Diaz gone, his relationships with Ole Miss assistants Derrick Nix and Chris Vaughn are strong positives for the Rebels.
Whitehead will visit Mississippi State this weekend and Ole Miss on Jan. 21. Every sign is pointing in the Rebels’ direction. Sources close to the Rebels are immensely confident and don't seem to be terribly worried about Whitehead.
Neal’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 80 percent.
Chase’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 85 percent.
Other names, such as wide receivers Anthony Denham and Josh Pinkston and tight end/offensive tackle Cameron Clear, appear to be off the board at this point.
The Rebels appear to have withstood a charge from Alabama for offensive tackle commitment Aaron Morris. Morris may visit MSU this weekend, but he's told the Crimson Tide it's futile to continue to recruit him.
The Rebels will have to do more of the same this next week after cornerback Floyd Raven returns from an official visit to Utah, one the Ole Miss staff had hoped he wouldn’t take.
Also of note, Destrehan HS offensive lineman Ethan Hutson announced Thursday that he’ll return to high school this semester instead of enrolling early at Ole Miss. His commitment is still 100 percent solid, but he won’t arrive in Oxford until June.
This post was edited on 1/14 9:30 AM by Chase Parham
This post was edited on 1/14 11:54 AM by Neal McCready
The second vacancy on the Rebels’ coaching staff could be filled by Oklahoma State assistant Gunter Brewer or former Ole Miss, Miami and Auburn assistant Joe Pannunzio. Asked for comment, Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt reiterated “there is a process I must go through. I’m still interviewing.” Sources have said it's possible Brewer joins the staff with the additional title of passing game coordinator.
Interestingly, there is informed speculation that Nutt might make a fourth move on his staff _ the first, of course, was the hire of Miami Dolphins assistant David Lee as offensive coordinator _ before he’s done. The name that circulates most often is Pannunzio's. If Pannunzio were hired at Ole Miss, it’s likely an on-the-field coach would move to an administrative position.
It’s all speculative at this point, though Nutt said earlier this week he’d like to have his staff completed by early next week or “Wednesday at the latest.” Nutt said Thursday night he hoped there would not be a fourth change. Nutt said he hopes any moves will be complete by the time close to 30 expected visitors reach Oxford Jan. 21.
Rivals.com (RebelGrove.com and RedRaiderSports.com) was the first to report Thursday night that Ole Miss safeties coach Kim Dameron was in Lubbock, Texas, Thursday, interviewing for Texas Tech's defensive back coach opening. It's a decent piece of concrete evidence we have of what coaches will not be retained next season. Damerson is a finalist, but the frontrunner appears to be TT defensive graduate assistant Otis Mounds.
The changes figure to help the Rebels on the recruiting trail. Lee brings NFL experience to the offense, and Brewer, Burns and Pannunzio are widely regarded as very strong recruiters.
Speaking of, the final 19 days of recruiting figure to be interesting. Ole Miss doesn’t have a lot of targets left to follow, but all are critical to the overall success of the 2011 class -- from a need and stars standpoint.
Lake Worth, Fla., running back Tre Mason is one of 25-30 prospects expected in Oxford next weekend. West Virginia is on the periphery, but the race for Mason appears to be an SEC West clash between Auburn and Ole Miss. Both sides seem confident, but the next two weeks figure to tell the tale, so to speak. Look for Nutt to use his one allotted in-home visit early next week and to try to land a commitment from Mason during or shortly after his visit to Oxford. Also, Mason's dad is expected in Oxford with Tre next weekend, and that's big because he hasn't been on other official visits.
Keep an eye on Auburn’s recruiting of running backs in the next couple of weeks. Specifically, watch the recruiting of Savoy Huggins, Marlin Lane and Isaiah Crowell.
Neal’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 70 percent.
Chase’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 55 percent.
Batesville, Miss., wide receiver Nick Brassell will visit Alabama this weekend and Ole Miss next. Mississippi State, which picked up a commitment from Brassell in the fall, is still trying to recruit Brassell, per a source close to the situation. However, the Bulldogs are no longer in the picture.
Alabama, however, is. Two strongly-sourced media sources covering Alabama said Brassell was close to committing to the Crimson Tide and not Ole Miss last Friday in San Antonio. That doesn’t jive with what we were hearing from our sources, but it’s interesting to note nonetheless. A source close to Brassell said Thursday he wouldn’t be surprised if the versatile speedster committed to Nick Saban and Co. in Tuscaloosa. However, he was quick to add that Brassell’s recruitment won’t be over until he signs an LOI. It’s that volatile, that fragile. It’s noteworthy that one of the aforementioned Alabama media members put the odds of a Brassell commitment to Ole Miss at “85 percent.” A source close to Brassell said Thursday he believes proximity to home, as well as Brassell’s relationship with Barry Brunetti, Tobias Singleton and others will push Ole Miss over the top. As we've reported several times, Brassell has yet to take the ACT, but he's allowed to take official visits because he has completed the PLAN -- essentially an ACT practice test. A third source -- that has contact with Brassell -- went as far as to say he expects the athlete to commit to Alabama this weekend and is having doubts that Ole Miss has the time/ability to flip him before National Signing Day. We’re told the Alabama staff is telling Brassell that Ole Miss is “small-time.,” a description that has apparently resonated with Brassell.
Alabama has made up tremendous ground in an attempt to convince Brassell that it has the best plan for his eligibility and academic future and is also the one program that can elevate his game to make the most of his ability -- citing Julio Jones, Javier Arenas, and others. We write all this to show just how complicated and muddy the situation is. It’s far from a slam dunk.
Chase’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 40 percent.
Neal’s Prediction: Just too close to call
Ole Miss is still working on three defensive linemen -- Tupelo’s P.J. Jones, Fullerton (Calif.) College’s Uriah Grant and Miss. Gulf Coast Community College’s Jonathan Jenkins. Jones appears to favor Mississippi State one day, Ole Miss the next. He’s difficult to read. Jenkins’ interest in Ole Miss has faded in recent weeks, and while the Rebels will try to turn him, he’s looking elsewhere. Jenkins says he’ll visit Miami this weekend, Georgia next weekend and Florida the weekend before Signing Day. That leaves Grant, who the Rebels clearly covet. Miami, as we’ve documented, is a wildcard for the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native, but it appears to be a two-team race between Ole Miss and Washington. The 'Canes haven't yet offered. Grant visited Seattle in December; he’ll go to Oxford next weekend. It’s too close to call, but Grant hit it off with Nutt and the Rebels’ depth chart is appealing.
Neal’s Predictions:
P.J. Jones - Mississippi State. Confidence level: 55 percent.
Jonathan Jenkins - Georgia. Confidence level: 55 percent.
Uriah Grant - Ole Miss. Confidence level: 65 percent.
Chase’s Predictions:
P.J. Jones - Mississippi State. Confidence level: 70 percent.
Jonathan Jenkins -- Georgia. Confidence level: 30 percent.
Uriah Grant - Ole Miss. Confidence level: 75 percent.
Ole Miss is still recruiting two linebackers. The Rebels would love to land one, and most believe they’d take both if Philadelphia, Miss., product C.J. Johnson and Lithonia, Ga., native Cedrick Cooper both wanted to play for Tyrone Nix. Johnson will visit Mississippi State this weekend, and the Bulldogs will certainly try to repair the damage done when Manny Diaz left for Texas. Johnson said he’ll visit Ole Miss next weekend, and he’s planning to squeeze in visits to Arkansas and LSU as well.
This is a trust-your-sources deal. Our sources insist Johnson is leaning toward Ole Miss at this juncture, and an incredibly strong source says Johnson would sign with the Rebs if National Signing Day was today. Johnson insists it will be a signing day (Feb. 2) decision. Our gut feeling: He’ll end up at Mississippi State. If the visit to Starkville goes poorly, we’ll admit to being wrong. Until then, it’s just too difficult to believe Dan Mullen can’t win Johnson back into his fold. This is the critical weekend for Johnson. If he leaves Starkville not swayed, then UM is in absolutely great position. One source close to Ole Miss yesterday said the Rebels “feel better than ever” about Johnson.
Neal’s Prediction: Mississippi State. Confidence level: 50 percent
Chase’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 35 percent
Cooper, meanwhile, has been difficult to read. He’s already visited Arkansas and North Carolina. South Carolina, North Carolina State and Ole Miss are also in the mix. Our sources have indicated Arkansas and South Carolina are the Rebels’ key opponents in the race for his services. Here’s something to watch: If Ole Miss commitment Serderius Bryant takes an official visit to Middle Tennessee State on Jan. 28, it’s a sign the Rebels privately feel very good about Johnson and/or Cooper.
Neal’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 40 percent.
Chase’s Prediction: South Carolina. Confidence level: 20 percent
Finally, that leaves Ole Miss’ lone remaining target in the defensive secondary. The Rebels have coveted Greenwood, Miss., cornerback Jermaine Whitehead for more than a year. Whitehead committed to Mississippi State in April, but with Diaz gone, his relationships with Ole Miss assistants Derrick Nix and Chris Vaughn are strong positives for the Rebels.
Whitehead will visit Mississippi State this weekend and Ole Miss on Jan. 21. Every sign is pointing in the Rebels’ direction. Sources close to the Rebels are immensely confident and don't seem to be terribly worried about Whitehead.
Neal’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 80 percent.
Chase’s Prediction: Ole Miss. Confidence level: 85 percent.
Other names, such as wide receivers Anthony Denham and Josh Pinkston and tight end/offensive tackle Cameron Clear, appear to be off the board at this point.
The Rebels appear to have withstood a charge from Alabama for offensive tackle commitment Aaron Morris. Morris may visit MSU this weekend, but he's told the Crimson Tide it's futile to continue to recruit him.
The Rebels will have to do more of the same this next week after cornerback Floyd Raven returns from an official visit to Utah, one the Ole Miss staff had hoped he wouldn’t take.
Also of note, Destrehan HS offensive lineman Ethan Hutson announced Thursday that he’ll return to high school this semester instead of enrolling early at Ole Miss. His commitment is still 100 percent solid, but he won’t arrive in Oxford until June.
This post was edited on 1/14 9:30 AM by Chase Parham
This post was edited on 1/14 11:54 AM by Neal McCready
