Here are some recruiting notes. There's overlap, and we talk to different people, but we figured you wouldn't mind seeing a few of the names twice.
Neal McCready
Ole Miss' top target at wide receiver appears to still be Purvis, Miss., four-star Markell Pack, even though the speedster still seems set on his commitment to Florida State. There is reason for cautious optimism for Ole Miss, however. Pack's mother, according to a strong source, really wants her son at Ole Miss. In part because of that, Ole Miss sources still like the Rebels' chances to grab the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder. The sense I get from talking to people close to both Ole Miss and Florida State is the drama attached to Pack will endure all the way to February. Pack is due to take a trip to Florida State soon, perhaps as early as Saturday. He's expected in Oxford for at least one and possibly both of the next two weekends. still fairly set on Fla. State. Mom really wants him at Ole Miss. Still close, but Ole Miss sources feel good about him in the end. The sense is it will go close to National Signing Day before anyone feels great. Pack is taking a trip to Florida State soon, possibly as early as this weekend. Ole Miss sources expect him in Oxford the next two weekends.
Ole Miss had at one point targeted Petal, Miss., wide receiver Jesse Jackson. It appears the Rebels are out on Jackson. He'll decide between Auburn and Mississippi State in the coming days. I'd guess he'll pick the Bulldogs, but I'm not counting Auburn out.
Ole Miss is hoping to gain ground in its pursuit of Mobile, Ala., center Joshua Casher. The former Auburn commitment is now taking a hard look at Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn and Florida State. Ole Miss is recruiting him hard, but the sense is the Rebels are trailing Auburn and Alabama. Ole Miss offensive line coach Matt Luke scouted him during the Rebels' open date last month.
Ole Miss is kicking the tires on East Mississippi Community College offensive tackle Avery Gennesey. The Rebels like the former Olive Branch, Miss., standout and are recruiting him, but the sense is he'll end up elsewhere, likely Texas A&M. Another offensive lineman on the Rebels' board, per sources, is Florissant, Mo., tackle Roderick Johnson. The Rivals250 standout will likely visit Ole Miss, and he's one to keep an eye on.
Covington, La., defensive tackle Garrald McDowell, per a source in Louisiana, is "90 percent to Ole Miss." Sources close to the Rebels' program feel good about McDowell as well. The one potential fly in the ointment, per sources, is LSU. If the Tigers have a couple of defensive line prospects fall through, they could turn to McDowell. If that happens, all bets are off.
Auburn, I'm hearing, is making a strong push for Montgomery, Ala., tight end Charles Standberry. However, Ole Miss sources feel confident they'll hold on to Standberry, who committed to the Rebels in the summer.
Former Alabama defensive end D.J. Pettway, a Pensacola, Fla., product who was dismissed from the Tide program and is now at East Mississippi Community College, seems headed to Ole Miss if sources are accurate. The Rebels also appear poised to land Jackson, Miss., defensive lineman Breeland Speaks. Speaks isn't through looking around, but Ole Miss is the prohibitive favorite.
The Rebels are still pursuing Greenville, Miss., linebacker/defensive end Gerri Green, though several sources said it's almost a certainty he sticks with his commitment to Mississippi State.
Crete, Ill., linebacker Clifton Garrett, will visit Ole Miss in two weeks but it certainly appears he's headed to LSU.
Ole Miss will get visits from the River Ridge, La., duo of outside linebacker Terrence Alexander. The Rebels have a great chance with Alexander. Young is emerging as a major want for the Rebels, but it appears LSU, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Florida State all lead Ole Miss at this point for his signature.
Ole Miss coaches scouted Bassfield, Miss., athletes/Rebel commitments Calvin Moore during the bye week. Pewr sources, they loved what they saw. Further, the Rebels, per sources, continue to be intrigued by cornerback/USM commitment Cornell Armstrong. Height, or lack thereof, is a concern, but Ole Miss really likes his motor and skills. Bassfield junior defensive back Jamal Peters is a star, and he'll be a major target for Ole Miss next year. Look for the Rebels and LSU to compete for Peters over the next 16 months or so.
Chase Parham is addressing this in much more detail, but all I'm hearing is Ole Miss has a very legitimate shot at Rivals100 safety Jamal Adams. Florida is the major competitor for the nation's No. 29-ranked prospect, but I'm hearing some of the same buzz about Adams that I was hearing about Laremy Tunsil last season at this time. I'm not doubting things anymore.
Meridian, Miss., safety C.J. Hampton, a Rivals250 standout committed to Ole Miss, has emerged as a major want for Alabama. The Tide "is really putting the squeeze on him," a source said. The race between Ole Miss and Alabama is very, very close at this point. Losing Wesley McGriff hurt Ole Miss a bit with Hampton. Hampton, according to sources, is trying to decide whether he wants to be part of a rebuild or part of an instant winner. Different sources predict different outcomes.
Ole Miss had hoped it would land a commitment from Stockbridge, Ga., cornerback Kendarius Webster today. That won't happen. Instead, different sources feel different things today. Georgia is keeping him hot until it finds out if it can get Wesley Green. If the Bulldogs get Green, as expected, look for Ole Miss to land Webster. If Green signs elsewhere (Auburn is a threat), look for Georgia to land Webster.
Ole Miss sources feel great about the Rebels' chances to land both Jackson, Miss., '15 athlete and Petal, Miss., '15 offensive lineman Javon Patterson. A source close to Dear said the speedster from Murrah High School will be in Oxford next weekend. In other news involving 2015 prospects, Ole Miss recently offered Terry, Miss., wide receiver Titus Ivory. The Rebels could land a commitment from Louisville, Miss., wide receiver Donte Jones soon after National Signing Day.
Ole Miss sources feel great about Rebels' chances for both Malik Dear and Javon Patterson in the 2015 class.
Titus Ivory, '15 WR from Terry, Miss., just got an Ole Miss offer. Also really like Louisville, Miss., '15 WR Donte Jones. Jones could commit to Ole Miss just after National Signing Day.
In basketball, Ole Miss coaches have been on the road the past several weeks, recruiting prospects in Georgia, Texas, Florida, Kansas and Virginia. One name that has surfaced a few times is Kilgore (Texas) College guard Stefan Moody. The Kissimmee, Fla., guard signed with Florida Atlantic out of high school but left the program due to academic struggles.
Some other names to keep an eye on include Tucker, Ga., shooting guard Shembari Phillips; Sunrise Christian (Kan.) Academy forward Rauno Nurger (an Estonia native); Oviedo, Fla., '15 shooting guard Matt Milon; and Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy forward Donte Grantham.
The Rebels, per sources, also recently evaluated Class of 2016 power forward Dewan Huell, who is ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 34 overall prospect.
Chase Parham
Lewisville, Texas, safety Jamal Adams visited Texas A&M on Sept. 13, Florida on Sept. 20 and will be in Oxford for his Ole Miss official visit when the Rebels play LSU last we heard, though there was talk of that moving to the A&M weekend. His high school team doesn't have a bye either week, so it doesn't really matter. Texas was the early leader for Adams, and the Longhorns made him the top priority on their board, but it just hasn't happened. He skipped Texas' big recruiting weekend during the summer, and lately Ole Miss and Florida have jumped to the forefront of his recruitment. He could possibly his make decision in November. Ole Miss likes its position a lot but will have to get past the ties between the Adams' family and Florida wide receivers coach Joker Phillips. Adams' father, George, a former Kentucky running back, roomed with Phillips in college, Phillips was Adams' best man in his wedding, and Phillips is Jamal's godfather. It's a major set of ties, but the Rebels are in there.
CJ Hampton, as you know, visited Alabama over the weekend, and Crimson Tide insiders are predicting a flip at some point. Sources close to Ole Miss believe drama is likely, but it'll work out in the end for the Rebels. A big-time safety that could play the husky position, Hampton is obviously a big want for both programs. Things are OK, but Alabama is definitely lingering. Hampton appears to be handling it all fairly well and letting things play out with options open.
Former Alabama and current East Mississippi defensive end DJ Pettway will officially visit Ole Miss next weekend, and the Rebels have developed a nice relationship with the 2011 Rivals250 standout. He redshirted at Alabama in 2011 and played in 12 games in 2012 before being dismissed in February due to a legal situation. Pettway was arrested on charges of second-degree robbery and was accused of physically attacking a victim during an alleged robbery on the Tuscaloosa campus. A gifted pass-rush specialist at worst and a dominant defensive end at best, Ole Miss must be satisfied with Pettway's legal situation -- as well as his character.
Kendarius Webster moved his commitment announcement from today to National Signing Day. The Stockbridge, Ga., cornerback has Ole Miss in the lead with Florida State second and Georgia and LSU hanging in battling for the podium. Webster officially visited Georgia last weekend, giving though to the Bulldogs making a push because of the date change, but Ole Miss doesn't' seem concerned by the announcement change. It's going to February no matter what. FSU and UGA will be there along with Ole Miss no matter what happens.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College linebacker Cavellis Luckett is a name to keep in the back of your mind. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker has been extremely good and could be someone if Ole Miss grabs a JUCO linebacker.
Dallis Todd is supposed to take an official visit soon. The Oklahoma commit is from California, and Ole Miss has stayed on him even though he's verbaled to the Sooners. With Todd, let's see how the visit goes. He's right there with Markell Pack in want. Pack continues to be receptive to the Rebels, and him ending up in Ole Miss' column come February wouldn't surprise me.
Dallas cornerback Nick Watkins is also a visitor soon. Odds aren't great here, but Ole Miss is sticking with it to see what happens. Watkins, who accepted an invite to the Under Armour All-America Game, is a polite kid and will do some interviews, but he keeps very quiet about recruiting. He smiled and said "we'll wait and see" when asked about favorites. Oregon, UCLA, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Ole Miss and Florida State are believed to be the top contenders.
Neal talked about Jesse Jackson. He's visiting Auburn this weekend, but I expect MSU on Monday. Ole Miss hasn't had him high enough on the the board in a while.
Ole Miss continues to hear good things from Rivals250 defensive tackle Ainuu Taua. The California native will visit at some point this season, and he really likes the Rebels.
It's a lot of official visits lining up for game weekends, and that's usually not optimal because of the time necessary to be with the team, and you know, prepare for the game. With a lot of prospects this year it's unavoidable, so you make do the best you can.
Neal McCready
Ole Miss' top target at wide receiver appears to still be Purvis, Miss., four-star Markell Pack, even though the speedster still seems set on his commitment to Florida State. There is reason for cautious optimism for Ole Miss, however. Pack's mother, according to a strong source, really wants her son at Ole Miss. In part because of that, Ole Miss sources still like the Rebels' chances to grab the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder. The sense I get from talking to people close to both Ole Miss and Florida State is the drama attached to Pack will endure all the way to February. Pack is due to take a trip to Florida State soon, perhaps as early as Saturday. He's expected in Oxford for at least one and possibly both of the next two weekends. still fairly set on Fla. State. Mom really wants him at Ole Miss. Still close, but Ole Miss sources feel good about him in the end. The sense is it will go close to National Signing Day before anyone feels great. Pack is taking a trip to Florida State soon, possibly as early as this weekend. Ole Miss sources expect him in Oxford the next two weekends.
Ole Miss had at one point targeted Petal, Miss., wide receiver Jesse Jackson. It appears the Rebels are out on Jackson. He'll decide between Auburn and Mississippi State in the coming days. I'd guess he'll pick the Bulldogs, but I'm not counting Auburn out.
Ole Miss is hoping to gain ground in its pursuit of Mobile, Ala., center Joshua Casher. The former Auburn commitment is now taking a hard look at Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn and Florida State. Ole Miss is recruiting him hard, but the sense is the Rebels are trailing Auburn and Alabama. Ole Miss offensive line coach Matt Luke scouted him during the Rebels' open date last month.
Ole Miss is kicking the tires on East Mississippi Community College offensive tackle Avery Gennesey. The Rebels like the former Olive Branch, Miss., standout and are recruiting him, but the sense is he'll end up elsewhere, likely Texas A&M. Another offensive lineman on the Rebels' board, per sources, is Florissant, Mo., tackle Roderick Johnson. The Rivals250 standout will likely visit Ole Miss, and he's one to keep an eye on.
Covington, La., defensive tackle Garrald McDowell, per a source in Louisiana, is "90 percent to Ole Miss." Sources close to the Rebels' program feel good about McDowell as well. The one potential fly in the ointment, per sources, is LSU. If the Tigers have a couple of defensive line prospects fall through, they could turn to McDowell. If that happens, all bets are off.
Auburn, I'm hearing, is making a strong push for Montgomery, Ala., tight end Charles Standberry. However, Ole Miss sources feel confident they'll hold on to Standberry, who committed to the Rebels in the summer.
Former Alabama defensive end D.J. Pettway, a Pensacola, Fla., product who was dismissed from the Tide program and is now at East Mississippi Community College, seems headed to Ole Miss if sources are accurate. The Rebels also appear poised to land Jackson, Miss., defensive lineman Breeland Speaks. Speaks isn't through looking around, but Ole Miss is the prohibitive favorite.
The Rebels are still pursuing Greenville, Miss., linebacker/defensive end Gerri Green, though several sources said it's almost a certainty he sticks with his commitment to Mississippi State.
Crete, Ill., linebacker Clifton Garrett, will visit Ole Miss in two weeks but it certainly appears he's headed to LSU.
Ole Miss will get visits from the River Ridge, La., duo of outside linebacker Terrence Alexander. The Rebels have a great chance with Alexander. Young is emerging as a major want for the Rebels, but it appears LSU, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Florida State all lead Ole Miss at this point for his signature.
Ole Miss coaches scouted Bassfield, Miss., athletes/Rebel commitments Calvin Moore during the bye week. Pewr sources, they loved what they saw. Further, the Rebels, per sources, continue to be intrigued by cornerback/USM commitment Cornell Armstrong. Height, or lack thereof, is a concern, but Ole Miss really likes his motor and skills. Bassfield junior defensive back Jamal Peters is a star, and he'll be a major target for Ole Miss next year. Look for the Rebels and LSU to compete for Peters over the next 16 months or so.
Chase Parham is addressing this in much more detail, but all I'm hearing is Ole Miss has a very legitimate shot at Rivals100 safety Jamal Adams. Florida is the major competitor for the nation's No. 29-ranked prospect, but I'm hearing some of the same buzz about Adams that I was hearing about Laremy Tunsil last season at this time. I'm not doubting things anymore.
Meridian, Miss., safety C.J. Hampton, a Rivals250 standout committed to Ole Miss, has emerged as a major want for Alabama. The Tide "is really putting the squeeze on him," a source said. The race between Ole Miss and Alabama is very, very close at this point. Losing Wesley McGriff hurt Ole Miss a bit with Hampton. Hampton, according to sources, is trying to decide whether he wants to be part of a rebuild or part of an instant winner. Different sources predict different outcomes.
Ole Miss had hoped it would land a commitment from Stockbridge, Ga., cornerback Kendarius Webster today. That won't happen. Instead, different sources feel different things today. Georgia is keeping him hot until it finds out if it can get Wesley Green. If the Bulldogs get Green, as expected, look for Ole Miss to land Webster. If Green signs elsewhere (Auburn is a threat), look for Georgia to land Webster.
Ole Miss sources feel great about the Rebels' chances to land both Jackson, Miss., '15 athlete and Petal, Miss., '15 offensive lineman Javon Patterson. A source close to Dear said the speedster from Murrah High School will be in Oxford next weekend. In other news involving 2015 prospects, Ole Miss recently offered Terry, Miss., wide receiver Titus Ivory. The Rebels could land a commitment from Louisville, Miss., wide receiver Donte Jones soon after National Signing Day.
Ole Miss sources feel great about Rebels' chances for both Malik Dear and Javon Patterson in the 2015 class.
Titus Ivory, '15 WR from Terry, Miss., just got an Ole Miss offer. Also really like Louisville, Miss., '15 WR Donte Jones. Jones could commit to Ole Miss just after National Signing Day.
In basketball, Ole Miss coaches have been on the road the past several weeks, recruiting prospects in Georgia, Texas, Florida, Kansas and Virginia. One name that has surfaced a few times is Kilgore (Texas) College guard Stefan Moody. The Kissimmee, Fla., guard signed with Florida Atlantic out of high school but left the program due to academic struggles.
Some other names to keep an eye on include Tucker, Ga., shooting guard Shembari Phillips; Sunrise Christian (Kan.) Academy forward Rauno Nurger (an Estonia native); Oviedo, Fla., '15 shooting guard Matt Milon; and Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy forward Donte Grantham.
The Rebels, per sources, also recently evaluated Class of 2016 power forward Dewan Huell, who is ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 34 overall prospect.
Chase Parham
Lewisville, Texas, safety Jamal Adams visited Texas A&M on Sept. 13, Florida on Sept. 20 and will be in Oxford for his Ole Miss official visit when the Rebels play LSU last we heard, though there was talk of that moving to the A&M weekend. His high school team doesn't have a bye either week, so it doesn't really matter. Texas was the early leader for Adams, and the Longhorns made him the top priority on their board, but it just hasn't happened. He skipped Texas' big recruiting weekend during the summer, and lately Ole Miss and Florida have jumped to the forefront of his recruitment. He could possibly his make decision in November. Ole Miss likes its position a lot but will have to get past the ties between the Adams' family and Florida wide receivers coach Joker Phillips. Adams' father, George, a former Kentucky running back, roomed with Phillips in college, Phillips was Adams' best man in his wedding, and Phillips is Jamal's godfather. It's a major set of ties, but the Rebels are in there.
CJ Hampton, as you know, visited Alabama over the weekend, and Crimson Tide insiders are predicting a flip at some point. Sources close to Ole Miss believe drama is likely, but it'll work out in the end for the Rebels. A big-time safety that could play the husky position, Hampton is obviously a big want for both programs. Things are OK, but Alabama is definitely lingering. Hampton appears to be handling it all fairly well and letting things play out with options open.
Former Alabama and current East Mississippi defensive end DJ Pettway will officially visit Ole Miss next weekend, and the Rebels have developed a nice relationship with the 2011 Rivals250 standout. He redshirted at Alabama in 2011 and played in 12 games in 2012 before being dismissed in February due to a legal situation. Pettway was arrested on charges of second-degree robbery and was accused of physically attacking a victim during an alleged robbery on the Tuscaloosa campus. A gifted pass-rush specialist at worst and a dominant defensive end at best, Ole Miss must be satisfied with Pettway's legal situation -- as well as his character.
Kendarius Webster moved his commitment announcement from today to National Signing Day. The Stockbridge, Ga., cornerback has Ole Miss in the lead with Florida State second and Georgia and LSU hanging in battling for the podium. Webster officially visited Georgia last weekend, giving though to the Bulldogs making a push because of the date change, but Ole Miss doesn't' seem concerned by the announcement change. It's going to February no matter what. FSU and UGA will be there along with Ole Miss no matter what happens.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College linebacker Cavellis Luckett is a name to keep in the back of your mind. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker has been extremely good and could be someone if Ole Miss grabs a JUCO linebacker.
Dallis Todd is supposed to take an official visit soon. The Oklahoma commit is from California, and Ole Miss has stayed on him even though he's verbaled to the Sooners. With Todd, let's see how the visit goes. He's right there with Markell Pack in want. Pack continues to be receptive to the Rebels, and him ending up in Ole Miss' column come February wouldn't surprise me.
Dallas cornerback Nick Watkins is also a visitor soon. Odds aren't great here, but Ole Miss is sticking with it to see what happens. Watkins, who accepted an invite to the Under Armour All-America Game, is a polite kid and will do some interviews, but he keeps very quiet about recruiting. He smiled and said "we'll wait and see" when asked about favorites. Oregon, UCLA, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Ole Miss and Florida State are believed to be the top contenders.
Neal talked about Jesse Jackson. He's visiting Auburn this weekend, but I expect MSU on Monday. Ole Miss hasn't had him high enough on the the board in a while.
Ole Miss continues to hear good things from Rivals250 defensive tackle Ainuu Taua. The California native will visit at some point this season, and he really likes the Rebels.
It's a lot of official visits lining up for game weekends, and that's usually not optimal because of the time necessary to be with the team, and you know, prepare for the game. With a lot of prospects this year it's unavoidable, so you make do the best you can.
