With the arrival Friday afternoon of some of the best high school athletes in the nation, the biggest weekend of the 2014 Ole Miss football recruiting season is officially underway.
What happens over the next 48 hours in Oxford could directly affect the future success of the Rebel football team for years to come.
About 23 recruits, many of whom have already given verbal commitments to Ole Miss, are on campus through Sunday. Make no mistake; if a recruit is in town this weekend, he is considered a top prospect by Coach Freeze and his staff.
After signing a spectacular, top-ranked class last year, Coach Freeze explained the importance of simply getting a player to make a visit to the University of Mississippi. “If you get a kid to campus, you’ve got a chance,” he said.
“The same people who are always talking about how Oxford is one of the best college towns to live in; how Ole Miss is the top tailgating school in the nation; and how we are the safest campus in America should realize that if we get someone to just come and take a visit here, we’ve got a chance to get their commitment,” Freeze added.
With National Signing Day (February 5) a 11 days away, this could be the best opportunity for the Ole Miss coaching staff to make a lasting impression on those who have not yet committed.
The weekend also gives players who are solid Rebel commits a chance to spend time with their future teammates, as well as help sway recruits who remain undecided to join them as Rebels.
The list of players (with their recruiting status) expected in Oxford this weekend includes:
Sammie Epps, TE, Greenwood, Miss. (verbal commit)
Roderick Taylor, OL, Jackson, Miss. (verbal commit)
Dayall Harris, WR, Jackson, Miss. (verbal commit)
Breeland Speaks, DL, Jackson, Miss. (verbal commit)
DK Buford, ATH, Oxford, Miss. (verbal commit)
AJ Moore, LB, Bassfield, Miss. (verbal commit)
CJ Moore, DB, Bassfield, Miss. (verbal commit)
Jordan Sims, OL, Homewood, Ala. (has offer from Rebels)
Kendarius Webster, DB, Stockbridge, Ga. (verbal commit)
Garrald McDowell, DL, Covington, La. (verbal commit)
Terrence Alexander, DB, New Orleans, La. (has offer from Rebels)
Akeem Judd, RB, Georgia Military College (verbal commit)
Demarquis Gates, LB, Lovejoy, Ga. (verbal commit)
Michael Sawyers, DT, Nashville, Tenn. (has offer from Rebels)
Isaiah McKenzie, ATH, American Heritage, Fla. (has offer from Rebels)
Gary Wunderlich, K/P, Memphis, Tenn. (verbal commit)
Chris Williams, DT, Sandy Creek, Ga. (verbal commit)
Tyler Putman, OL, Southaven, Miss. (verbal commit)
Dacorius Law, ATH, Haines City, Fla. (has offer from Rebels)
Victor Evans, DL, Skyline, Tex. (verbal commit)
Sean Rawlings, OL, Madison, Miss. (State commit who officially received offer from Rebels today)
In addition to the official visits being made this weekend by the 2014 targets, several players being recruited for the 2015 and 2016 classes will also be in town for unofficial visits. These include:
Eli Johnson, 2016 OL, Oxford, Miss. (verbal commit)
MaLeik Gatewood, 2015 DB, Memphis, Tenn.
Drew Richmond, 2015 OL, Memphis, Tenn. (has offer from Rebels)
Dekaylin Metcalf, 2016 ATH, Oxford, Miss. (verbal commit)
If the players who have already committed to the Rebels, as well as some of the undecided, enjoy their visit to Ole Miss this weekend, the future will continue to be bright for Coach Freeze, his staff and Rebel fans everywhere. (And what could be more enjoyable than watching Marshall Henderson and the Rebel Men’s Basketball team beat State this afternoon? That just might seal the deal!)
Stay tuned to HottyToddy.com for all your recruiting news and updates, as well as profiles on the members of the 2014 class!
Evelyn Van Pelt is a HottyToddy.com sports writer.
Rebel Football Future Here For Recruiting Weekend
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