Ole Miss had a full complement of visitors in town for its date with Texas last Saturday.
While the Rebels lost the game to the Longhorns, all indications point to a strong bump on the recruiting trails. Here are a few notes gathered on visitors (and some non-visitors) from talking to an array of sources this week, in no particular order:
Nashville, Tenn., athlete Corn Elder's visit to Ole Miss went really well, per sources. Elder wants to major in engineering, and basketball is also a major issue. Georgia Tech, according to sources, is Ole Miss' major competition, and he'll visit the Jackets this week or soon. Elder's mom made the trip, as well, and the Rebels appear to be willing to give him a basketball roster spot.
Rivals.com's Josh Helmholdt talked to Laquon Treadwell on Sunday. The Crete, Ill., native really liked what he saw in Oxford, and several sources believe the Rebels are now in the top three along with Michigan State and Oklahoma State. Treadwell really likes the idea of playing in the SEC, he's comfortable with having his former teammate Anthony Standifer already on the Ole Miss roster and he likes Hugh Freeze's offense. He's decided on official visits to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, per with the Chicago Sun-Times, with other possibilities for the other two being LSU, Florida, Michigan State and Illinois. Michigan has long thought to be a favorite, but he hasn't mentioned them much in recent days. Texas initiated contact with Treadwell on Wednesday, and he talked to the Horns' wide receivers coach that night for around a half hour. It's something to keep an eye on, obviously.
Ole Miss clearly needs wide receivers, and it's hoping it made up ground with junior college sensation Jonathan Rumph. The Rebels, per sources, did indeed make a strong impression. Rumph isn't blind; he saw the Rebels' need for a receiver opposite Donte Moncrief and he likes the idea of playing with the Ole Miss sophomore. However, the feeling from several sources is Tennessee and Mississippi State continue to enjoy a lead for his services. The Rebels are certainly a sleeper at this point. South Carolina also lingers, though Rumph has said he doesn't have a desire to play back home.
Another official visitor, junior college tight end Beau Sandland, was blown away by his trip to Oxford. However, Nebraska remains a very real threat for his signature. In fact, the Huskers are likely the favorite. Still, there were positive signs for Ole Miss. Sandland asked a lot of questions about life in the South and he told other recruits he knew Ole Miss probably made more sense for him as a player, as the Rebels are going to throw the ball and he'd be the favorite to be the starting tight end if he had a decent spring. He plans to visit the Gators late in the season or after the season, so a quick decision probably isn't going to happen.
If you are betting on upcoming commitments, put your money on tight end Christian Morgan and linebacker Duke Riley. Both appear to be imminent, though both prospects could also elect to wait awhile before making any public declarations. It doesn't seem to be a big deal, but it can't hurt that Ole Miss offered Christian's sister, Ashley, a volleyball scholarship in recent days. With Riley, some of the delay seems to be his desire to take some visits and enjoy the process, which we completely understand. He told me (Chase) during the summer that John Curtis discouraged official visits once a player commits, so that's something to keep in mind.
A couple of familiar names continue to come up in regards to Ole Miss' plans. One is wide receiver/cornerback Nick Brassell, who appears to be thriving academically at junior college and can return to Ole Miss without having to sit out a season. Reports are that Brassell has been punctual and on task this semester. The other is former Lafayette High School quarterback/LSU signee Jeremy Liggins. Liggins needs a qualifying score on the ACT, but if he gets it, he's likely destined to sign with Ole Miss in December and enroll in January ? one would think as a tight end or a defensive lineman.
Ole Miss is still in the mix for Richmond, Va., five-star running back Derrick Green, but the optimism surrounding the Rebels' chances for him this summer has faded somewhat. Tennessee entertained Green last weekend, and Auburn is very much a factor. Ole Miss will try to get a visit out of him, and if they do, things could change, but right now, getting Green's signature on an LOI from Ole Miss doesn't seem likely. He's going to keep his list at six schools, but he's been somewhat slow to finalize the official visits.
Defensive end Elijah Daniel, a four-star standout from Avon, Ind., continues to send positive vibes Ole Miss' way, per sources. Daniel is committed to Clemson, but he recently took an official visit to Marshall, where his brother, Armonze, plays. The Thundering Herd appears to be a legitimate threat, as do Purdue, Indiana and Ole Miss.
Another name that keeps popping up is Hialeah, Fla., linebacker George Williams. The 5-11, 224-pounder can run and is extremely athletic. Hugh Freeze's size:speed ratio comments this week were interesting. He clearly wants 6-1, 230-pound linebackers who can run, but those guys don't grow on trees.
Sources close to the Ole Miss remain optimistic about the Rebels' chances with Rosedale, Miss., running back/Mississippi State commit Kailo Moore. We continue to believe Moore's recruitment will go to the proverbial wire.
The same is probably true for Batesville, Miss., four-star defensive back Antonio Conner, but sources outside the Rebels' program believe Ole Miss is the prohibitive favorite there. Proximity to home, the very real prospect of very early major playing time and a strong recruiting job by Freeze and Co. will make Ole Miss tough to beat. Conner just isn't much of a talker, so news is scarce.
Robert Nkemdiche has stopped talking, too. He visited Ole Miss last weekend, and while he remains publicly committed to Clemson, anyone who doesn't believe the Rebels are a major threat are kidding themselves. He's no lock to sign with Ole Miss, but Nkemdiche clearly enjoys himself at Ole Miss and has developed strong relationships inside the program. The Rebels probably still have to win some games to help their cause, but Nkemdiche is clearly intrigued at the idea of being a superstar in Oxford and of playing with his brother, Ole Miss linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche. His recruiting, obviously, will go all the way to Feb. 6.
Finally, keep an eye on Fairburn, Ga., four-star athlete Rashard Fant. The Rebels love him, and that relationship is blossoming. Fant was in attendance for Ole Miss' final camp of the summer. Academics are important to Fant. he's taken honors courses since his freshman year.
While the Rebels lost the game to the Longhorns, all indications point to a strong bump on the recruiting trails. Here are a few notes gathered on visitors (and some non-visitors) from talking to an array of sources this week, in no particular order:
Nashville, Tenn., athlete Corn Elder's visit to Ole Miss went really well, per sources. Elder wants to major in engineering, and basketball is also a major issue. Georgia Tech, according to sources, is Ole Miss' major competition, and he'll visit the Jackets this week or soon. Elder's mom made the trip, as well, and the Rebels appear to be willing to give him a basketball roster spot.
Rivals.com's Josh Helmholdt talked to Laquon Treadwell on Sunday. The Crete, Ill., native really liked what he saw in Oxford, and several sources believe the Rebels are now in the top three along with Michigan State and Oklahoma State. Treadwell really likes the idea of playing in the SEC, he's comfortable with having his former teammate Anthony Standifer already on the Ole Miss roster and he likes Hugh Freeze's offense. He's decided on official visits to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, per with the Chicago Sun-Times, with other possibilities for the other two being LSU, Florida, Michigan State and Illinois. Michigan has long thought to be a favorite, but he hasn't mentioned them much in recent days. Texas initiated contact with Treadwell on Wednesday, and he talked to the Horns' wide receivers coach that night for around a half hour. It's something to keep an eye on, obviously.
Ole Miss clearly needs wide receivers, and it's hoping it made up ground with junior college sensation Jonathan Rumph. The Rebels, per sources, did indeed make a strong impression. Rumph isn't blind; he saw the Rebels' need for a receiver opposite Donte Moncrief and he likes the idea of playing with the Ole Miss sophomore. However, the feeling from several sources is Tennessee and Mississippi State continue to enjoy a lead for his services. The Rebels are certainly a sleeper at this point. South Carolina also lingers, though Rumph has said he doesn't have a desire to play back home.
Another official visitor, junior college tight end Beau Sandland, was blown away by his trip to Oxford. However, Nebraska remains a very real threat for his signature. In fact, the Huskers are likely the favorite. Still, there were positive signs for Ole Miss. Sandland asked a lot of questions about life in the South and he told other recruits he knew Ole Miss probably made more sense for him as a player, as the Rebels are going to throw the ball and he'd be the favorite to be the starting tight end if he had a decent spring. He plans to visit the Gators late in the season or after the season, so a quick decision probably isn't going to happen.
If you are betting on upcoming commitments, put your money on tight end Christian Morgan and linebacker Duke Riley. Both appear to be imminent, though both prospects could also elect to wait awhile before making any public declarations. It doesn't seem to be a big deal, but it can't hurt that Ole Miss offered Christian's sister, Ashley, a volleyball scholarship in recent days. With Riley, some of the delay seems to be his desire to take some visits and enjoy the process, which we completely understand. He told me (Chase) during the summer that John Curtis discouraged official visits once a player commits, so that's something to keep in mind.
A couple of familiar names continue to come up in regards to Ole Miss' plans. One is wide receiver/cornerback Nick Brassell, who appears to be thriving academically at junior college and can return to Ole Miss without having to sit out a season. Reports are that Brassell has been punctual and on task this semester. The other is former Lafayette High School quarterback/LSU signee Jeremy Liggins. Liggins needs a qualifying score on the ACT, but if he gets it, he's likely destined to sign with Ole Miss in December and enroll in January ? one would think as a tight end or a defensive lineman.
Ole Miss is still in the mix for Richmond, Va., five-star running back Derrick Green, but the optimism surrounding the Rebels' chances for him this summer has faded somewhat. Tennessee entertained Green last weekend, and Auburn is very much a factor. Ole Miss will try to get a visit out of him, and if they do, things could change, but right now, getting Green's signature on an LOI from Ole Miss doesn't seem likely. He's going to keep his list at six schools, but he's been somewhat slow to finalize the official visits.
Defensive end Elijah Daniel, a four-star standout from Avon, Ind., continues to send positive vibes Ole Miss' way, per sources. Daniel is committed to Clemson, but he recently took an official visit to Marshall, where his brother, Armonze, plays. The Thundering Herd appears to be a legitimate threat, as do Purdue, Indiana and Ole Miss.
Another name that keeps popping up is Hialeah, Fla., linebacker George Williams. The 5-11, 224-pounder can run and is extremely athletic. Hugh Freeze's size:speed ratio comments this week were interesting. He clearly wants 6-1, 230-pound linebackers who can run, but those guys don't grow on trees.
Sources close to the Ole Miss remain optimistic about the Rebels' chances with Rosedale, Miss., running back/Mississippi State commit Kailo Moore. We continue to believe Moore's recruitment will go to the proverbial wire.
The same is probably true for Batesville, Miss., four-star defensive back Antonio Conner, but sources outside the Rebels' program believe Ole Miss is the prohibitive favorite there. Proximity to home, the very real prospect of very early major playing time and a strong recruiting job by Freeze and Co. will make Ole Miss tough to beat. Conner just isn't much of a talker, so news is scarce.
Robert Nkemdiche has stopped talking, too. He visited Ole Miss last weekend, and while he remains publicly committed to Clemson, anyone who doesn't believe the Rebels are a major threat are kidding themselves. He's no lock to sign with Ole Miss, but Nkemdiche clearly enjoys himself at Ole Miss and has developed strong relationships inside the program. The Rebels probably still have to win some games to help their cause, but Nkemdiche is clearly intrigued at the idea of being a superstar in Oxford and of playing with his brother, Ole Miss linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche. His recruiting, obviously, will go all the way to Feb. 6.
Finally, keep an eye on Fairburn, Ga., four-star athlete Rashard Fant. The Rebels love him, and that relationship is blossoming. Fant was in attendance for Ole Miss' final camp of the summer. Academics are important to Fant. he's taken honors courses since his freshman year.
