We'll obviously let you know who's at the game this weekend from a visitor standpoint, but Auburn was looking like the next big visit day. Not sure how the 11:21 a.m. kickoff will alter plans for prospects. Ole Miss has been fortunate so far with game times, but this was a bad time to get a morning kickoff. Devante Kincade told me yesterday he was planning to come to that game unofficially, but he plays in Richardson, Texas, the night before, so not sure if he's gonna catch a 6 a.m. flight the next morning. It's likely also a pain for Laquon Treadwell, as he's said his official visit is that weekend, but he has a Friday night game in Illinois. Ole Miss will scout him this weekend, though it's not really scouting. It's just being there.
The good side of all this is that Ole Miss' game is over at 3, and there's a good bit of time afterward to spend with prospects. You'll probably also have some local kids that go to Ole Miss' game at 11:21 a.m. and State's game at 8 p.m.
As far as possible commitments in the near future, things still look good with Duke Riley and Christian Morgan. Riley watched the Rebels at Tulane two weeks ago, and Morgan seems pretty locked into the Rebels, despite his FSU commitment.
Ole Miss remains in the top group for two-sport star Corn Elder. The Rebels are fine with him playing basketball, as well. He has football offers from several major schools, but he's high on hoops and definitely wants to pursue both sports. Most believe the danger to Ole Miss comes from a high-profile basketball team offering a two-sport deal -- like UCLA, for example.
Booker T. Washington (Fla.) offensive lineman Denver Kirkland has become a person of interest regarding Ole Miss. The Rivals250 offensive lineman may visit the Rebels this weekend. He was at South Florida last weekend. Miami is a major threat, as the Canes are heavily recruiting several players from that school. We'll see how things develop with Kirkland and if he shows. Obviously that'd be huge for Ole Miss.
Rivals.com's Steve Willis is shooting the Itawamba AHS game this weekend, so we'll get you some fresh video of Ashton Shumpert. He had an incredible game last weekend and has been tremendous since missing a few games with mono. Ole Miss continues to like its position with Shumpert. He'll likely play linebacker or safety at the next level, though he's no slouch with the ball in his hands.
Ole Miss is recruiting several players at East Mississippi CC. Nick Brassell is obviously someone likely to be back at Ole Miss soon as long as things work out, but the Rebels hope he's not the only headed to Oxford from Scooba. Justin Cox, who originally signed with Mississippi State, is a major target, as is four-star defensive end Za'Darius Smith, who is a December grad. Florida State has been a favorite for a while, and Mississippi State and Ohio State are also teams that have been around for a bit. Ole Miss is somewhat new to his recruitment, so it'll need to make up ground quickly. Smith plans to make a decision within the next month.
Keep an eye on Brandon Hill at Hargrave Military. As you know, the Memphis native signed with Alabama out of high school but didn't qualify. Ole Miss was in it until the end and remains interested. He's a definite talent.
With Marquel Combs headed elsewhere if he graduates in December, Ole Miss needs a JUCO defensive tackle. Two names to follow are Toby Johnson out of Hutchinson CC in Kansas and Darious Cummings at East Miss. Johnson lived in Mississippi as a kid and has scheduled an official visit to Ole Miss for later in the season. He told the AJC he grew up a Mississippi State fan. Cummings was a 4-star recruit out of high school who signed with Florida State in the 2010 class. Cummings has offers from Ole Miss, MSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Florida is also showing interest. Cummings plans to officially visit Ole Miss when it plays Vanderbilt, Arkansas when it plays Kentucky and TAMU when it plays Mizzou.
Commit Finesse Middleton sent this to me after I'd already published the reaction story yesterday:
"They're definitely not the same team that played Alabama last year. They played very physical and hard and didn't lay down. I can really see the change in the program, for the best."
A lot of great comments coming from commitments following the game. It went as well as possible for recruiting momentum, without a win, of course.
The good side of all this is that Ole Miss' game is over at 3, and there's a good bit of time afterward to spend with prospects. You'll probably also have some local kids that go to Ole Miss' game at 11:21 a.m. and State's game at 8 p.m.
As far as possible commitments in the near future, things still look good with Duke Riley and Christian Morgan. Riley watched the Rebels at Tulane two weeks ago, and Morgan seems pretty locked into the Rebels, despite his FSU commitment.
Ole Miss remains in the top group for two-sport star Corn Elder. The Rebels are fine with him playing basketball, as well. He has football offers from several major schools, but he's high on hoops and definitely wants to pursue both sports. Most believe the danger to Ole Miss comes from a high-profile basketball team offering a two-sport deal -- like UCLA, for example.
Booker T. Washington (Fla.) offensive lineman Denver Kirkland has become a person of interest regarding Ole Miss. The Rivals250 offensive lineman may visit the Rebels this weekend. He was at South Florida last weekend. Miami is a major threat, as the Canes are heavily recruiting several players from that school. We'll see how things develop with Kirkland and if he shows. Obviously that'd be huge for Ole Miss.
Rivals.com's Steve Willis is shooting the Itawamba AHS game this weekend, so we'll get you some fresh video of Ashton Shumpert. He had an incredible game last weekend and has been tremendous since missing a few games with mono. Ole Miss continues to like its position with Shumpert. He'll likely play linebacker or safety at the next level, though he's no slouch with the ball in his hands.
Ole Miss is recruiting several players at East Mississippi CC. Nick Brassell is obviously someone likely to be back at Ole Miss soon as long as things work out, but the Rebels hope he's not the only headed to Oxford from Scooba. Justin Cox, who originally signed with Mississippi State, is a major target, as is four-star defensive end Za'Darius Smith, who is a December grad. Florida State has been a favorite for a while, and Mississippi State and Ohio State are also teams that have been around for a bit. Ole Miss is somewhat new to his recruitment, so it'll need to make up ground quickly. Smith plans to make a decision within the next month.
Keep an eye on Brandon Hill at Hargrave Military. As you know, the Memphis native signed with Alabama out of high school but didn't qualify. Ole Miss was in it until the end and remains interested. He's a definite talent.
With Marquel Combs headed elsewhere if he graduates in December, Ole Miss needs a JUCO defensive tackle. Two names to follow are Toby Johnson out of Hutchinson CC in Kansas and Darious Cummings at East Miss. Johnson lived in Mississippi as a kid and has scheduled an official visit to Ole Miss for later in the season. He told the AJC he grew up a Mississippi State fan. Cummings was a 4-star recruit out of high school who signed with Florida State in the 2010 class. Cummings has offers from Ole Miss, MSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Florida is also showing interest. Cummings plans to officially visit Ole Miss when it plays Vanderbilt, Arkansas when it plays Kentucky and TAMU when it plays Mizzou.
Commit Finesse Middleton sent this to me after I'd already published the reaction story yesterday:
"They're definitely not the same team that played Alabama last year. They played very physical and hard and didn't lay down. I can really see the change in the program, for the best."
A lot of great comments coming from commitments following the game. It went as well as possible for recruiting momentum, without a win, of course.
