Montgomery, Ala., quarterback Jeremy Johnson publicly stated last week he'll re-open his recruiting if Auburn fires coach Gene Chizik, as expected. Johnson, who is compared favorably to former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, stated he'd strongly consider LSU and Ole Miss if Auburn made a move at the top. There's no doubt Ole Miss covets Johnson, but multiple sources in Alabama close to the Auburn program believe the Tigers' new coach _ whoever that is _ will make the re-recruiting of Johnson a priority. That certainly makes sense, but Johnson is a name that bears watching, especially if Auburn's search for Chizik's replacement turns into a train wreck/circus. -- NM
Ole Miss' need for depth at running back has been painfully obvious this season. The Rebels have been in the mix for Richmond, Va., five-star Derrick Green and they'll probably still land a visit, but sources indicate Green's interest in Ole Miss isn't what it once was and his signing with Ole Miss is extremely unlikely. -- NM
The news is much better, however, for Ole Miss on a pair of Mississippians. Fulton's Ashton Shumpert attended Saturday's 27-26 loss to Vanderbilt, and sources indicate Shumpert and his family are warming to the Rebels. Mississippi State continues to hold a lead, but it appears Ole Miss will get a real shot at Shumpert. Rosedale's Kailo Moore, who is committed to Mississippi State, continues to be on the Rebels' radar, and there is a consistent confidence in Oxford Moore will sign with the Rebels in February. My take: Moore's situation is somewhat like the recent presidential election; someone's internal polling is right, while someone's is dead wrong. -- NM
Loganville, Ga., defensive end Robert Nkemdiche attended Saturday's game (if you didn't know that, obviously, you're not following along), and there is a very high level of confidence in and around the program that the nation's No. 1 prospect is planning to commit to Ole Miss soon. At one point, we were hearing Nkemdiche would commit to the Rebels on Sunday. Now we're hearing early- to mid-December is a more likely timeframe. -- NM
When/if Nkemdiche commits to the Rebels, three prospects are going to be most affected, per sources. First, his teammate, cornerback David Kamara, could flip from Clemson to Ole Miss to join Nkemdiche in Oxford. In fact, that appears likely. Secondly, the nation's top wide receiver, Crete, Ill., four-star Laquon Treadwell, has sent off vibes that he'll choose Ole Miss if Nkemdiche does. Treadwell has consistently listed Ole Miss among his favorites. Finally, Brooklyn, N.Y., linebacker Ebenezer Ogundeko is very interested in Nkemdiche's destination. Ogundeko is visiting Ole Miss officially, possibly as early as next weekend's Egg Bowl, and he's indicated he'd love to play with Nkemdiche at the next level. -- NM
Ogundeko lists Florida as the current favorite, and he's visiting the Gators this weekend, so that's one to watch on Sunday. -- CP
On the other hand, I'm hearing that while Avon, Ind., defensive end Elijah Daniel is very interested in playing with Nkemdiche at Ole Miss, the connection between the two is being severely overplayed in some quarters. That's far from the slam dunk some are portraying it to be. In fact, I'm hearing Ole Miss is no better than third on Daniel at this point. -- NM
Daniel has an official visit set up to Mississippi State this weekend. -- CP
Ole Miss wants to sign two more offensive linemen in this class (in addition to the OL already committed). The targets: Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy tackle Brandon Hill and another junior college players (likely a tackle or a center). Hill's mother is unhappy with Alabama, I'm told, and the Tide's hold on its former signee is tenuous at best. -- NM
At tight end, Ole Miss has targeted Montevallo, Ala., product Korey Cunningham. If the Rebels can't land Cunningham, look for them to make a strong push for Parker, Colo., four-star Mitchell Parsons, who is taking a hard look at Ole Miss and Vanderbilt at this point. -- NM
Memphis, Tenn., defensive end Jason Carr has indicated to several people he might be on the verge of flipping from Tennessee to Ole Miss. There are two factors at play. One, Derek Dooley's demise in Knoxville and two, Ole Miss' likely landing of Nkemdiche. Carr is far more likely to land in Ole Miss' class than Daniel, in my opinion. -- NM
Ole Miss is in very good shape with Batesville, Miss., defensive back Antonio Conner. He was in Oxford Saturday and things went very well. He'll almost certainly be part of Ole Miss' class. -- NM
Finally, I continue to hear that Ole Miss is in very good shape for River Ridge, La., linebacker Duke Riley. -- NM
Commit Eugene Brazley told the Times-Picayune he was concerned with the antics on campus the night of the election, but I've heard from several people that Ole Miss has since settled those fears. That commitment has been shaky at times throughout the process, so it remains one to watch, but the Rebels acted quickly, it seems. -- CP
The early signing period begins tomorrow for baseball and basketball. We'll have those names expected to sign with Ole Miss on the site in the morning. Andy Kennedy's team currently has three commitments, while I have Mike Bianco's class at 16 players. For baseball, that's larger than last year but pretty on par with the 2010 and 2011 totals. Three of those are JUCO players. -- CP
This post was edited on 11/13 10:36 AM by Neal McCready
This post was edited on 11/13 10:38 AM by Neal McCready
Ole Miss' need for depth at running back has been painfully obvious this season. The Rebels have been in the mix for Richmond, Va., five-star Derrick Green and they'll probably still land a visit, but sources indicate Green's interest in Ole Miss isn't what it once was and his signing with Ole Miss is extremely unlikely. -- NM
The news is much better, however, for Ole Miss on a pair of Mississippians. Fulton's Ashton Shumpert attended Saturday's 27-26 loss to Vanderbilt, and sources indicate Shumpert and his family are warming to the Rebels. Mississippi State continues to hold a lead, but it appears Ole Miss will get a real shot at Shumpert. Rosedale's Kailo Moore, who is committed to Mississippi State, continues to be on the Rebels' radar, and there is a consistent confidence in Oxford Moore will sign with the Rebels in February. My take: Moore's situation is somewhat like the recent presidential election; someone's internal polling is right, while someone's is dead wrong. -- NM
Loganville, Ga., defensive end Robert Nkemdiche attended Saturday's game (if you didn't know that, obviously, you're not following along), and there is a very high level of confidence in and around the program that the nation's No. 1 prospect is planning to commit to Ole Miss soon. At one point, we were hearing Nkemdiche would commit to the Rebels on Sunday. Now we're hearing early- to mid-December is a more likely timeframe. -- NM
When/if Nkemdiche commits to the Rebels, three prospects are going to be most affected, per sources. First, his teammate, cornerback David Kamara, could flip from Clemson to Ole Miss to join Nkemdiche in Oxford. In fact, that appears likely. Secondly, the nation's top wide receiver, Crete, Ill., four-star Laquon Treadwell, has sent off vibes that he'll choose Ole Miss if Nkemdiche does. Treadwell has consistently listed Ole Miss among his favorites. Finally, Brooklyn, N.Y., linebacker Ebenezer Ogundeko is very interested in Nkemdiche's destination. Ogundeko is visiting Ole Miss officially, possibly as early as next weekend's Egg Bowl, and he's indicated he'd love to play with Nkemdiche at the next level. -- NM
Ogundeko lists Florida as the current favorite, and he's visiting the Gators this weekend, so that's one to watch on Sunday. -- CP
On the other hand, I'm hearing that while Avon, Ind., defensive end Elijah Daniel is very interested in playing with Nkemdiche at Ole Miss, the connection between the two is being severely overplayed in some quarters. That's far from the slam dunk some are portraying it to be. In fact, I'm hearing Ole Miss is no better than third on Daniel at this point. -- NM
Daniel has an official visit set up to Mississippi State this weekend. -- CP
Ole Miss wants to sign two more offensive linemen in this class (in addition to the OL already committed). The targets: Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy tackle Brandon Hill and another junior college players (likely a tackle or a center). Hill's mother is unhappy with Alabama, I'm told, and the Tide's hold on its former signee is tenuous at best. -- NM
At tight end, Ole Miss has targeted Montevallo, Ala., product Korey Cunningham. If the Rebels can't land Cunningham, look for them to make a strong push for Parker, Colo., four-star Mitchell Parsons, who is taking a hard look at Ole Miss and Vanderbilt at this point. -- NM
Memphis, Tenn., defensive end Jason Carr has indicated to several people he might be on the verge of flipping from Tennessee to Ole Miss. There are two factors at play. One, Derek Dooley's demise in Knoxville and two, Ole Miss' likely landing of Nkemdiche. Carr is far more likely to land in Ole Miss' class than Daniel, in my opinion. -- NM
Ole Miss is in very good shape with Batesville, Miss., defensive back Antonio Conner. He was in Oxford Saturday and things went very well. He'll almost certainly be part of Ole Miss' class. -- NM
Finally, I continue to hear that Ole Miss is in very good shape for River Ridge, La., linebacker Duke Riley. -- NM
Commit Eugene Brazley told the Times-Picayune he was concerned with the antics on campus the night of the election, but I've heard from several people that Ole Miss has since settled those fears. That commitment has been shaky at times throughout the process, so it remains one to watch, but the Rebels acted quickly, it seems. -- CP
The early signing period begins tomorrow for baseball and basketball. We'll have those names expected to sign with Ole Miss on the site in the morning. Andy Kennedy's team currently has three commitments, while I have Mike Bianco's class at 16 players. For baseball, that's larger than last year but pretty on par with the 2010 and 2011 totals. Three of those are JUCO players. -- CP
This post was edited on 11/13 10:36 AM by Neal McCready
This post was edited on 11/13 10:38 AM by Neal McCready
