Neal McCready
The nation’s top-ranked offensive tackle _ and the No. 4 overall prospect _ is expected to give Ole Miss a verbal commitment on Friday.
Gregory Little, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound left tackle from Allen, Texas, is expected to choose Ole Miss over Alabama (and scores of others) on Friday. Hugh Freeze, per sources, is in Texas and will attend Little’s playoff game Friday night.
Little took an official visit to Alabama last weekend for the Crimson Tide’s win over LSU and, predictably, he had a great time. However, according to sources, he and his family have a more personal connection at Ole Miss. Further, there’s a ready-made path at Ole Miss, as current Rebel left tackle Laremy Tunsil is headed to the NFL after he completes his junior season this fall (No, that’s not official, but if anyone would care to wager on it, please, please, please, for the love of all things good and holy, call me; Christmas is expensive).
At Alabama, Cameron Robinson is the left tackle for another year, and Little _ like Tunsil at Ole Miss and Robinson in Tuscaloosa _ is college-ready for the toughest spot on the offensive line.
Little’s commitment to Ole Miss could _ and likely will _ have residual benefits for the Rebels.
“Obviously, if they get Greg Little, that could be the start of something big,” Rivals.com Southeast recruiting analyst Woody Wommack said. “But with them likely to get Drake Davis and a few others, I think they can close strong. But closing strong on the field could really help that too.”
“Ole Miss’ biggest get in Florida was obviously with Ole Miss before moving to Florida but that doesn’t mean the Shea Patterson effect can’t take hold,” Rivals.com’s Rob Cassidy said. “There is no better school in America at which to have a presence than IMG. Drake Davis says Ole Miss leads his recruitment and that is at least somewhat due to Patterson. There’s a long line of younger prospects there as well. They’ve obviously all had a chance to see the Ole Miss brand on campus and get to know the Rebels’ coaches as well.
“If Ole Miss presence in Florida is indeed on the rise, it will certainly complement the fact that they seem to be the premier brand in the state of Mississippi, which is starting produce more high-end talent.”
We’ll get to Davis in a second. Little’s friend and fellow Texan, Manvel safety Deontay Anderson, is leaning heavily to Ole Miss (that might be putting it way too weakly, by the way). Only Texas A&M, per sources close to Anderson’s recruiting, is a threat to the Ole Miss, and the Aggies aren’t really in the picture at this point. Anderson is ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s No. 63 overall prospect.
As Wommack referenced above, Little’s commitment is only going to strengthen Ole Miss’ pursuit of IMG Academy wide receiver Drake Davis. The nation’s No. 33-ranked prospect is currently catching passes at IMG from No. 1 overall prospect/Ole Miss commitment Shea Patterson, and it’s clear Patterson is following through on his promise to surround himself in Oxford with elite performers. Davis is also looking at LSU, but Ole Miss is a clear leader.
Paramus, N.J., defensive tackle Rashan Gary, the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, has hit it off with Little on the tour circuit. More importantly, the two prospects’ mothers have become friends. Don’t be shocked if Gary visits Ole Miss in late January when Little, Anderson and others come to Oxford, and don’t be shocked if the Rebels make a strong run at Gary. However, Michigan, Auburn, USC, Alabama and damn near every other major program in the country is very much in the mix as well and Ole Miss’ chances at this point would have to be called something of a long shot.
Ole Miss would love for Little’s commitment to help the Rebels’ pursuit of Wayne, N.J., running back Kareem Walker. Walker, the nation’s No. 21-ranked player, recently de-committed from Ohio State. Michigan appears to be the clear favorite, but Walker has talked about visiting Ole Miss on Nov. 21, when the Rebels entertain LSU. Sources close to Ole Miss believe if Walker makes the trip south, the Rebels have a chance. Otherwise, landing Walker’s signature is a long shot at best.
Starkville, Miss., wide receiver A.J. Brown, a four-star prospect ranked No. 7 in Mississippi (that’s going up in the next ranking, in my opinion) remains very much in Ole Miss’ sights. According to sources familiar with Brown’s recruitment, Brown is very much open to leaving Starkville, and Ole Miss and Alabama are two schools he likes quite a bit. However, his family wants him at Mississippi State. Kids have gone out on their own before (Landon Collins to Alabama, Alex Collins to Arkansas, as a couple of examples), but Mississippi State has to be considered the favorite for Brown at this point.
Houston, Texas, four-star wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland remains very much an Ole Miss target. The Rivals250 standout has visited Oklahoma and Arizona State, and Ole Miss is hoping to get him to campus in January. Cleveland is yet another Ole Miss target playing in the Under Armour All-American High School Game in Orlando on Jan. 2.
Ole Miss obviously needs offensive linemen, even if it lands and holds onto Little. The Rebels will likely get an official visit out of River Ridge, La., Rivals250 offensive lineman Willie Allen, but it’s highly unlikely Allen and Little go to the same college. Alabama, Georgia and LSU are also very much in the mix for Allen, and in the end, the home-state Tigers will be difficult to beat.
The Rebels covet Snow College (Utah) offensive tackle Garret Bolles, but it’s expected Bolles will remain in the West for college. The Rebels are looking at some other junior college targets, but it’s difficult to ascertain at this point who is a legitimate target.
By the way, he’s been committed for a while, so people forget about him, but Ole Miss sources are very excited about the potential Brentwood, Tenn., Rivals250 offensive tackle Bryce Mathews. There’s a sense inside the program Mathews can help quickly. Frankly, he will likely have to contribute quickly. The Rebels don’t possess a lot of depth at the position heading into 2016. Jeremy Liggins will move to tackle in the spring. Sean Rawlings was a huge contributor at right tackle early this season and will be counted on to do so again next fall.
Ole Miss got an official visit out of IMG Academy tight end Isaac Nauta last month, but it continues to look more and more likely that the nation’s No. 18-ranked prospect will sign with Georgia. It’s conceivable that Georgia implodes in the final month of the season and coaching changes occur, opening up Nauta’s recruiting. However, a source close to Nauta’s recruiting feels the former Florida State commitment would likely choose Georgia anyway.
Ole Miss has long had a commitment from Oxford, Miss., wide receiver DeKaylin Metcalf. The top-rated uncommitted Mississippi prospect, Macon defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, has made several trips to Oxford this fall. Ole Miss sources feel “really good” and have “increased confidence” that the Rebels will sign Simmons, who is ranked No. 56 nationally by Rivals.com. Alabama is running second for Simmons, with Mississippi State in third, per sources.
I don’t expect the Rebels to sign many junior college prospects, but there is an immediate need at safety and East Mississippi Community College strong safety C.J. Reavis is a strong candidate to pick up an Ole Miss offer.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6240133/cj-reavis
Linebacker is a huge need as well. Nothing has been more obvious this season. Ole Miss sources believe Arizona Western Community College linebacker David Luafatasaga can help quickly, though he won’t arrive in Oxford until the summer. There’s a chance, per sources, the Rebels add another junior college linebacker to the mix, though I don’t have names to report.
Torrance, Calif., outside linebacker Mique Juarez, the nation’s No. 5-ranked prospect, has indicated he wants to visit Ole Miss, perhaps for the LSU game, but he’s a long shot at best. Oklahoma is also trying to get a visit from Juarez next weekend. The odds that he’ll leave southern California are higher than they once were, but UCLA and USC remain the favorites for his signature.
“Absolutely Ole Miss is a visit possibility for Juarez,” Rivals.com’s Adam Gorney said. “Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Alabama seem to be under serious consideration but he hasn’t set any dates for any visits yet.”
We mentioned Gary earlier. The Rebels are also trying to make a move for Rivals250 defensive tackle Chris Daniels. The Euless, Texas, standout likes the Rebels, but again, it’s a long shot at this point. Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M appear to be ahead of Ole Miss here in mid-November for Daniels.
The Rebels have a better chance for Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, a Rivals100 standout who is currently committed to Houston. Oliver is teammates with Cleveland, and like Cleveland, he’s set to play in the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando. If Tom Herman stays with the Cougars, pulling Oliver away from Houston will be difficult. If Herman, a hot commodity in coaching circles, bolts for a bigger job, Ole Miss is poised to steal him away.
The top cornerback on Ole Miss’ board, per sources, is Kentwood, La., Rivals100 athlete Shyheim Carter. Carter is also headed to the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 2, though some close to his recruiting believe he could commit before then. Carter is a former Alabama commitment, and the Crimson Tide is trying to get him back in the fold. Georgia made a strong push as well, though the unrest in Athens has been a turnoff. Ole Miss appears to lead for Carter.
Speaking to sources, a pair of prospects already committed to Ole Miss _ Stockbridge, Ga., Rivals250 defensive end Charles Wiley and Waynesboro, Miss., Rivals250 defensive tackle Benito Jones _ are being counted on to play immediately when they arrive in Oxford.
I know many of you will ask about Germantown, Miss., Rivals100 cornerback Nigel Knott, but sources weren’t sure what’s the latest with the speedy standout. That could be because Knott isn’t talking recruiting these days.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1825011
Knott will also be in Orlando in January for the Under Armour All-American Game.
New Orleans Rivals250 wide receiver Clyde Leflore-Chriss told Rivals.com’s Jason Howell earlier this week he might visit Ole Miss later this week. His name didn’t come up in talks with sources, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1824383
Evanston, Ill., four-star defensive tackle Naquan Jones de-committed from Michigan State earlier this week and told Rivals.com he planned to visit Ole Miss in January. Most expect Jones to ultimately sign with the Spartans.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1824383
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1824128
Arizona Western Community College defensive end Jonathan Kongbo visited Ole Miss earlier in the season, and his stock continues to skyrocket. Arizona State has offered in the past few days, as has Oregon State.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1823978
Gordo, Ala., linebacker Ben Davis, the nation’s No. 6-ranked prospect, will visit Ole Miss officially for the LSU game, but he’s almost certainly Alabama-bound.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1823934
Chase Parham
I’ll add to some of what Neal said, repeat some of it without being completely redundant since we’re almost at 2,000 words and strengthen some of the stances.
We’re all hearing the same on Little. Every source in the world has been wrong before because kids are, well, kids, and something unexpected changes the decision, but the nation’s top offensive lineman is expected to pick Ole Miss today around lunch. The magnitude of that commitment can’t be overstated because of what Little offers on the field and what he can help with throughout other recruiting circles.
“You’re never comfortable saying he’s Laremy Tunsil because those don’t come around every year, but Little is the closest thing there is to that in this class,” one source told me earlier this week.
With Gary, who Patterson played against a few weeks ago, the kid enjoys the process, and Michigan has been very confident in recent weeks. He visited the Wolverines earlier this season, and he’s headed to Auburn for the Iron Bowl. He’s receptive to the Rebels and initiates conversation with Ole Miss.
There’s definitely interest, and right now it’s just locking a firm visit up. Ole Miss has done a really good job with him to this point, and there’s at least optimism they can stay in the game. He’s potentially taking a visit to USC on Jan. 20 or so.
Speaking of visit dates, Ole Miss’ spring semester doesn’t begin until Monday, January 25 due to the holidays and winter intersession. Normally that’s a couple days earlier which allows the Rebels to have the big recruiting weekend in the early part of the January 20-January 30 window – typically the second to last weekend prior to National Signing Day. The Rebels then used the final weekend to schedule some last-minute visits and other miscellaneous reasons.
But with Ole Miss not starting until the 25th, the weekend of the 30th is the only time the Rebels can have a huge recruiting weekend with students in town – a must considering how quiet things are here with students gone. If all show that’s not a big deal because the final weekend is a great time to build momentum and get bumps from visits right before the time to sign. However, it will take a really good job to keep the kids locked into that date because that’s also a weekend some kids get tired of the process and bail on those visits. It’ll show who’s really serious about things.
Maybe it’s a Golden Triangle thing, but Ole Miss, Alabama and MSU all feel good about Jeffery Simmons and A.J. Brown. All three. For both. As Neal said, A.J. is open to things outside Oktibbeha County. His family would prefer the local maroon and white. Nothing to do there other than see how it shakes out. I have to imagine Dan Mullen will do whatever he can to keep him home. Brown is a physical receiver who already looks the part. I hear Alabama feels better about Calvin Ridley and Mykel Jones than Brown.
Nigel Knott was in Tuscaloosa over the weekend, per reports, and that’s become a common occurrence. While I’ve held the opinion he stays in Mississippi when it comes time to sign in February, the Crimson Tide are incredibly confident about their chances with Knott. Really. Confident.
Five-star linebackers Ben Davis and Lyndell Wilson, both from Alabama, continue to say things to give Ole Miss confidence. Clearly those are great players at a very big need for Ole Miss. Wilson is about to set up visits. Currently, he has Florida, LSU and Ole Miss his top three with Alabama at No. 4. Davis is supposed to take an official visit to Ole Miss next weekend. The Rebels have done a great job with both. In saying that, it’s going to be a task and a half to get one of those guys out of the state of Alabama, especially considering Ole Miss may be in the middle of taking a few high-priority targets from Alabama.
Also, concerning Alabama, the scuttlebutt is that Alabama continues to see Georgia as the primary competition for Shyheim Carter. No idea why because even when he decommitted back in August it was UGA and Ole Miss together as the threats. With Georgia in all sort of turmoil, the Rebels are still there. I think it’s Ole Miss or he returns to Alabama.
As you read, Ole Miss wants to sign as many as six offensive linemen in this class, especially after Christian Morris is moved to a medical scholarship. Little would make No. 5 with Mathews, Eli Johnson, Chandler Tuitt and Jack DeFoor. Obviously a JUCO tackle would be perfect to round out the group, but it has to be the right one. There’s no reason at all to sign one just to sign one. It needs to be a Pierce Burton or Fahn Cooper type sign, and those don’t just happen out of nowhere usually.
With Nauta, most still think Georgia is ahead, but Ole Miss has closed in on Michigan, which was certainly the No. 2 choice earlier this season. Any of those three may sign him, in my opinion.
In the current Rivals100 rankings, Ole Miss remains in the mix for: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 18, 21, 24, 25, 33, 56, 63, 76
The nation’s top-ranked offensive tackle _ and the No. 4 overall prospect _ is expected to give Ole Miss a verbal commitment on Friday.
Gregory Little, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound left tackle from Allen, Texas, is expected to choose Ole Miss over Alabama (and scores of others) on Friday. Hugh Freeze, per sources, is in Texas and will attend Little’s playoff game Friday night.
Little took an official visit to Alabama last weekend for the Crimson Tide’s win over LSU and, predictably, he had a great time. However, according to sources, he and his family have a more personal connection at Ole Miss. Further, there’s a ready-made path at Ole Miss, as current Rebel left tackle Laremy Tunsil is headed to the NFL after he completes his junior season this fall (No, that’s not official, but if anyone would care to wager on it, please, please, please, for the love of all things good and holy, call me; Christmas is expensive).
At Alabama, Cameron Robinson is the left tackle for another year, and Little _ like Tunsil at Ole Miss and Robinson in Tuscaloosa _ is college-ready for the toughest spot on the offensive line.
Little’s commitment to Ole Miss could _ and likely will _ have residual benefits for the Rebels.
“Obviously, if they get Greg Little, that could be the start of something big,” Rivals.com Southeast recruiting analyst Woody Wommack said. “But with them likely to get Drake Davis and a few others, I think they can close strong. But closing strong on the field could really help that too.”
“Ole Miss’ biggest get in Florida was obviously with Ole Miss before moving to Florida but that doesn’t mean the Shea Patterson effect can’t take hold,” Rivals.com’s Rob Cassidy said. “There is no better school in America at which to have a presence than IMG. Drake Davis says Ole Miss leads his recruitment and that is at least somewhat due to Patterson. There’s a long line of younger prospects there as well. They’ve obviously all had a chance to see the Ole Miss brand on campus and get to know the Rebels’ coaches as well.
“If Ole Miss presence in Florida is indeed on the rise, it will certainly complement the fact that they seem to be the premier brand in the state of Mississippi, which is starting produce more high-end talent.”
We’ll get to Davis in a second. Little’s friend and fellow Texan, Manvel safety Deontay Anderson, is leaning heavily to Ole Miss (that might be putting it way too weakly, by the way). Only Texas A&M, per sources close to Anderson’s recruiting, is a threat to the Ole Miss, and the Aggies aren’t really in the picture at this point. Anderson is ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s No. 63 overall prospect.
As Wommack referenced above, Little’s commitment is only going to strengthen Ole Miss’ pursuit of IMG Academy wide receiver Drake Davis. The nation’s No. 33-ranked prospect is currently catching passes at IMG from No. 1 overall prospect/Ole Miss commitment Shea Patterson, and it’s clear Patterson is following through on his promise to surround himself in Oxford with elite performers. Davis is also looking at LSU, but Ole Miss is a clear leader.
Paramus, N.J., defensive tackle Rashan Gary, the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, has hit it off with Little on the tour circuit. More importantly, the two prospects’ mothers have become friends. Don’t be shocked if Gary visits Ole Miss in late January when Little, Anderson and others come to Oxford, and don’t be shocked if the Rebels make a strong run at Gary. However, Michigan, Auburn, USC, Alabama and damn near every other major program in the country is very much in the mix as well and Ole Miss’ chances at this point would have to be called something of a long shot.
Ole Miss would love for Little’s commitment to help the Rebels’ pursuit of Wayne, N.J., running back Kareem Walker. Walker, the nation’s No. 21-ranked player, recently de-committed from Ohio State. Michigan appears to be the clear favorite, but Walker has talked about visiting Ole Miss on Nov. 21, when the Rebels entertain LSU. Sources close to Ole Miss believe if Walker makes the trip south, the Rebels have a chance. Otherwise, landing Walker’s signature is a long shot at best.
Starkville, Miss., wide receiver A.J. Brown, a four-star prospect ranked No. 7 in Mississippi (that’s going up in the next ranking, in my opinion) remains very much in Ole Miss’ sights. According to sources familiar with Brown’s recruitment, Brown is very much open to leaving Starkville, and Ole Miss and Alabama are two schools he likes quite a bit. However, his family wants him at Mississippi State. Kids have gone out on their own before (Landon Collins to Alabama, Alex Collins to Arkansas, as a couple of examples), but Mississippi State has to be considered the favorite for Brown at this point.
Houston, Texas, four-star wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland remains very much an Ole Miss target. The Rivals250 standout has visited Oklahoma and Arizona State, and Ole Miss is hoping to get him to campus in January. Cleveland is yet another Ole Miss target playing in the Under Armour All-American High School Game in Orlando on Jan. 2.
Ole Miss obviously needs offensive linemen, even if it lands and holds onto Little. The Rebels will likely get an official visit out of River Ridge, La., Rivals250 offensive lineman Willie Allen, but it’s highly unlikely Allen and Little go to the same college. Alabama, Georgia and LSU are also very much in the mix for Allen, and in the end, the home-state Tigers will be difficult to beat.
The Rebels covet Snow College (Utah) offensive tackle Garret Bolles, but it’s expected Bolles will remain in the West for college. The Rebels are looking at some other junior college targets, but it’s difficult to ascertain at this point who is a legitimate target.
By the way, he’s been committed for a while, so people forget about him, but Ole Miss sources are very excited about the potential Brentwood, Tenn., Rivals250 offensive tackle Bryce Mathews. There’s a sense inside the program Mathews can help quickly. Frankly, he will likely have to contribute quickly. The Rebels don’t possess a lot of depth at the position heading into 2016. Jeremy Liggins will move to tackle in the spring. Sean Rawlings was a huge contributor at right tackle early this season and will be counted on to do so again next fall.
Ole Miss got an official visit out of IMG Academy tight end Isaac Nauta last month, but it continues to look more and more likely that the nation’s No. 18-ranked prospect will sign with Georgia. It’s conceivable that Georgia implodes in the final month of the season and coaching changes occur, opening up Nauta’s recruiting. However, a source close to Nauta’s recruiting feels the former Florida State commitment would likely choose Georgia anyway.
Ole Miss has long had a commitment from Oxford, Miss., wide receiver DeKaylin Metcalf. The top-rated uncommitted Mississippi prospect, Macon defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, has made several trips to Oxford this fall. Ole Miss sources feel “really good” and have “increased confidence” that the Rebels will sign Simmons, who is ranked No. 56 nationally by Rivals.com. Alabama is running second for Simmons, with Mississippi State in third, per sources.
I don’t expect the Rebels to sign many junior college prospects, but there is an immediate need at safety and East Mississippi Community College strong safety C.J. Reavis is a strong candidate to pick up an Ole Miss offer.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6240133/cj-reavis
Linebacker is a huge need as well. Nothing has been more obvious this season. Ole Miss sources believe Arizona Western Community College linebacker David Luafatasaga can help quickly, though he won’t arrive in Oxford until the summer. There’s a chance, per sources, the Rebels add another junior college linebacker to the mix, though I don’t have names to report.
Torrance, Calif., outside linebacker Mique Juarez, the nation’s No. 5-ranked prospect, has indicated he wants to visit Ole Miss, perhaps for the LSU game, but he’s a long shot at best. Oklahoma is also trying to get a visit from Juarez next weekend. The odds that he’ll leave southern California are higher than they once were, but UCLA and USC remain the favorites for his signature.
“Absolutely Ole Miss is a visit possibility for Juarez,” Rivals.com’s Adam Gorney said. “Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Alabama seem to be under serious consideration but he hasn’t set any dates for any visits yet.”
We mentioned Gary earlier. The Rebels are also trying to make a move for Rivals250 defensive tackle Chris Daniels. The Euless, Texas, standout likes the Rebels, but again, it’s a long shot at this point. Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M appear to be ahead of Ole Miss here in mid-November for Daniels.
The Rebels have a better chance for Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, a Rivals100 standout who is currently committed to Houston. Oliver is teammates with Cleveland, and like Cleveland, he’s set to play in the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando. If Tom Herman stays with the Cougars, pulling Oliver away from Houston will be difficult. If Herman, a hot commodity in coaching circles, bolts for a bigger job, Ole Miss is poised to steal him away.
The top cornerback on Ole Miss’ board, per sources, is Kentwood, La., Rivals100 athlete Shyheim Carter. Carter is also headed to the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 2, though some close to his recruiting believe he could commit before then. Carter is a former Alabama commitment, and the Crimson Tide is trying to get him back in the fold. Georgia made a strong push as well, though the unrest in Athens has been a turnoff. Ole Miss appears to lead for Carter.
Speaking to sources, a pair of prospects already committed to Ole Miss _ Stockbridge, Ga., Rivals250 defensive end Charles Wiley and Waynesboro, Miss., Rivals250 defensive tackle Benito Jones _ are being counted on to play immediately when they arrive in Oxford.
I know many of you will ask about Germantown, Miss., Rivals100 cornerback Nigel Knott, but sources weren’t sure what’s the latest with the speedy standout. That could be because Knott isn’t talking recruiting these days.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1825011
Knott will also be in Orlando in January for the Under Armour All-American Game.
New Orleans Rivals250 wide receiver Clyde Leflore-Chriss told Rivals.com’s Jason Howell earlier this week he might visit Ole Miss later this week. His name didn’t come up in talks with sources, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1824383
Evanston, Ill., four-star defensive tackle Naquan Jones de-committed from Michigan State earlier this week and told Rivals.com he planned to visit Ole Miss in January. Most expect Jones to ultimately sign with the Spartans.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1824383
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1824128
Arizona Western Community College defensive end Jonathan Kongbo visited Ole Miss earlier in the season, and his stock continues to skyrocket. Arizona State has offered in the past few days, as has Oregon State.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1823978
Gordo, Ala., linebacker Ben Davis, the nation’s No. 6-ranked prospect, will visit Ole Miss officially for the LSU game, but he’s almost certainly Alabama-bound.
https://olemiss.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1823934
Chase Parham
I’ll add to some of what Neal said, repeat some of it without being completely redundant since we’re almost at 2,000 words and strengthen some of the stances.
We’re all hearing the same on Little. Every source in the world has been wrong before because kids are, well, kids, and something unexpected changes the decision, but the nation’s top offensive lineman is expected to pick Ole Miss today around lunch. The magnitude of that commitment can’t be overstated because of what Little offers on the field and what he can help with throughout other recruiting circles.
“You’re never comfortable saying he’s Laremy Tunsil because those don’t come around every year, but Little is the closest thing there is to that in this class,” one source told me earlier this week.
With Gary, who Patterson played against a few weeks ago, the kid enjoys the process, and Michigan has been very confident in recent weeks. He visited the Wolverines earlier this season, and he’s headed to Auburn for the Iron Bowl. He’s receptive to the Rebels and initiates conversation with Ole Miss.
There’s definitely interest, and right now it’s just locking a firm visit up. Ole Miss has done a really good job with him to this point, and there’s at least optimism they can stay in the game. He’s potentially taking a visit to USC on Jan. 20 or so.
Speaking of visit dates, Ole Miss’ spring semester doesn’t begin until Monday, January 25 due to the holidays and winter intersession. Normally that’s a couple days earlier which allows the Rebels to have the big recruiting weekend in the early part of the January 20-January 30 window – typically the second to last weekend prior to National Signing Day. The Rebels then used the final weekend to schedule some last-minute visits and other miscellaneous reasons.
But with Ole Miss not starting until the 25th, the weekend of the 30th is the only time the Rebels can have a huge recruiting weekend with students in town – a must considering how quiet things are here with students gone. If all show that’s not a big deal because the final weekend is a great time to build momentum and get bumps from visits right before the time to sign. However, it will take a really good job to keep the kids locked into that date because that’s also a weekend some kids get tired of the process and bail on those visits. It’ll show who’s really serious about things.
Maybe it’s a Golden Triangle thing, but Ole Miss, Alabama and MSU all feel good about Jeffery Simmons and A.J. Brown. All three. For both. As Neal said, A.J. is open to things outside Oktibbeha County. His family would prefer the local maroon and white. Nothing to do there other than see how it shakes out. I have to imagine Dan Mullen will do whatever he can to keep him home. Brown is a physical receiver who already looks the part. I hear Alabama feels better about Calvin Ridley and Mykel Jones than Brown.
Nigel Knott was in Tuscaloosa over the weekend, per reports, and that’s become a common occurrence. While I’ve held the opinion he stays in Mississippi when it comes time to sign in February, the Crimson Tide are incredibly confident about their chances with Knott. Really. Confident.
Five-star linebackers Ben Davis and Lyndell Wilson, both from Alabama, continue to say things to give Ole Miss confidence. Clearly those are great players at a very big need for Ole Miss. Wilson is about to set up visits. Currently, he has Florida, LSU and Ole Miss his top three with Alabama at No. 4. Davis is supposed to take an official visit to Ole Miss next weekend. The Rebels have done a great job with both. In saying that, it’s going to be a task and a half to get one of those guys out of the state of Alabama, especially considering Ole Miss may be in the middle of taking a few high-priority targets from Alabama.
Also, concerning Alabama, the scuttlebutt is that Alabama continues to see Georgia as the primary competition for Shyheim Carter. No idea why because even when he decommitted back in August it was UGA and Ole Miss together as the threats. With Georgia in all sort of turmoil, the Rebels are still there. I think it’s Ole Miss or he returns to Alabama.
As you read, Ole Miss wants to sign as many as six offensive linemen in this class, especially after Christian Morris is moved to a medical scholarship. Little would make No. 5 with Mathews, Eli Johnson, Chandler Tuitt and Jack DeFoor. Obviously a JUCO tackle would be perfect to round out the group, but it has to be the right one. There’s no reason at all to sign one just to sign one. It needs to be a Pierce Burton or Fahn Cooper type sign, and those don’t just happen out of nowhere usually.
With Nauta, most still think Georgia is ahead, but Ole Miss has closed in on Michigan, which was certainly the No. 2 choice earlier this season. Any of those three may sign him, in my opinion.
In the current Rivals100 rankings, Ole Miss remains in the mix for: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 18, 21, 24, 25, 33, 56, 63, 76
