College football’s first early signing period begins Wednesday, and Ole Miss will be looking to fill some key positions and make up for past weaknesses.
The period runs from December 20-22 and represents a departure from past practices. Previously, an early signing day allowed JUCO players and early enrollees to sign before the spring semester. With this year’s change, high-school student-athletes who are enrolling in the summer can also sign during this three-day period.
The change means many high-school recruits nationwide will sign their National Letters of Intent months earlier than they could in the past, and schools will be scrambling to get signatures in the next three days.
Due to the NCAA’s recent ruling on recruiting violations in the Rebel football program, Ole Miss will only have 21 scholarships to award for the 2018 season. In this notebook, we will break down, position by position, who the Rebels are looking for and who they already have.
Quarterback:
Current QBs: (Jordan Ta’Amu, Alex Faniel)
Recruits:
Matt Corral: 6-2 : 196 : 4 Star
National Ranking: #60 Pro Style QB: #3 U.S. Army All-American
Long Beach, CA
Primary Recruiter: Phil Longo
Committed to Ole Miss: 12/14/2017
Twitter: @corral_matt
Clayton Tune: 6-2.5: 200: 3 Star
National Ranking: #776 Pro Style QB: #32
Carrollton, TX
Visited Ole Miss 12/8/17
Crystal Ball: 57% Ole Miss, 14% Kansas, 14% Texas A&M
Twitter: @claytontune7
Running Back:
Current RBs: (D’Vaughn Pennamon, Eric Swinney, D.K. Buford, Isaiah Woullard)
Recruits:
Scottie Phillips: 5-9 : 205 : 3 Star
National Juco Ranking: #41 RB Juco: #1
Ellisville, MS : Jones County J.C
Primary Recruiter: Derrick Nix
Committed to Ole Miss on 7/1/17
Twitter: @scottphill22
Harold Joiner: 6-3 : 218 : 4 Star
National Ranking: #123 RB: #6 U.S. Army All-American
Birmingham, AL
Primary Recruiter: Derrick Nix
Visited Ole Miss 10/21/17 , 11/4/17; Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Crystal Ball: 100% LSU
Twitter: @hkjoiner3
Charles Strong: 6-1 : 220 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #397 RB: #18
Lake Butler, FL
Primary Recruiter: Derrick Nix
Decommitted from Florida State 12/13/17
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Twitter: @charles_strong2
Wide Receivers:
Current WRs:
(A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, DeMarkus Lodge, Braylon Sanders)
Recruits:
Demarcus Gregory: 6-3 : 204 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #484 WR: #80
Duncan, SC
Primary Recruiter: Jacob Peeler
Committed to Ole Miss on 5/28/17
Twitter: @xgrego1463
Marquez Ezzard: 6-1.5 : 213 : 4 Star
National Ranking: #327 ATH: #16
Stockbridge, GA
Primary Recruiter: Jacob Peeler
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Crystal Ball: 82% Florida State, 6% Ole Miss
Twitter: @solid_quez
Jacob Copeland:6-0: 192: 4 Star
National Ranking: #53 WR: #9 Under Armour All-American
Pensacola, FL
Decommitted from Florida 11/25/17
Crystal Ball: 46% Alabama , 4% FSU
Visited Tennessee: 12/15/17
Twitter: @jcope1era
Malik Heath: 6-3: 205: 4 Star
National Ranking: #183 WR: #34 Under Armour All-American
Jackson, MS
Primary Recruiter: Jacob Peeler
Committed to Mississippi State on 4/16/16
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Twitter: @malik_heath2
Elijah Moore: 5-11 : 181 : 4 Star
National Ranking: #197 WR: #38 U.S. Army All-American
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Primary Recruiter: Jacob Peeler
Committed to Georgia on 8/5/17
Jacob Peeler Visited 11/27/17
Twitter: @e_moore03
Tight Ends:
Current TEs: (Dawson Knox, Octavious Cooley, Gabe Angel)
Recruit:
Glenn Beal: 6-5 : 250 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #625 TE: #27
New Orleans, LA
Primary Recruiter: Maurice Harris
Crystal Ball: 100% LSU
Twitter: @G_beal
Offensive Linemen:
Current O-line:
OC: (Sean Rawlings, Eli Johnson)
OG: (Javon Patterson, Alex Givens, Jordan Sims, Jack DeFoor)
OT: (Greg Little, Tony Gray, Royce Newman, Bryce Matthews, Ben Brown)
Recruits:
Hamilton Hall: 6-5 : 315 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #1364 OT: #123
Atlanta, GA
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Crystal Ball: 100% Mississippi State
Twitter: @hamilton_hall74
Tank Jenkins: 6-3 : 325 : 4 Star
National Ranking: #310 OG: #14 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
Montgomery, AL
Primary Recruiter: Derrick Nix
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Crystal Ball: 80% Louisville, 20% Auburn
Twitter: @malik_heath2
Defensive Tackle:
Current DTs: (Josaih Coatney, Benito Jones, Austrian Robinson)
Recruits:
Quentin Bivens: 6-3: 288: 3 Star
National Ranking: #1161 DT# 79 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
Waynesboro, MS
Primary Recruiter: Freddie Roach
Committed to Ole Miss on 4/29/17
Hal Northern: 6-3: 293: 3 Star
National Ranking Juco: #94 DT Juco# 19
Senatobia, MS: Northwestern Mississippi C.C
Primary Recruiter: Maurice Harris
Committed to Ole Miss on 10/5/17
Twitter: @savageseason9
Ka’Darian Hill: 6-1 : 270 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #1002 DT# 72 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
Eufaula, AL
Primary Recruiter: Derrick Nix
Committed to Ole Miss on 6/5/17
Twitter: @grindkd_55
Jalen Cunningham: 6-6: 345: 3 Star
National Ranking: #534 DT# 39 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl Team
Odenville, AL
Primary Recruiter: Freddie Roach
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Crystal Ball: 77% Ole Miss, 15% Alabama
Twitter: @cunno55
Noah Jefferson: 6-6: 330: 3 Star
National Ranking Juco: #19 DT Juco# 7
Las Vegas, NV : Arizona Western College
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Top 4 (via twitter) : (Florida, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Louisville)
Twitter: @noahjefferson_
Devin Winters: 6-4: 245: 3 Star
National Ranking: #2113 DT# 143
New Orleans, LA
Primary Recruiter: Bradley Peveto
Ole Miss Visited on 12/10/17
Twitter: @_duke10
Defensive Ends:
Current DEs:
(Breeland Speaks, Ryder Anderson, Victor Evans, Qaadir Sheppard, Charles Wiley, Markel Winters)
Recruits:
Deuntra Hyman: 6-3 : 230 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #514 WDE: #28
Meridian, MS
Committed to Ole Miss on 5/27/17
Twitter: @deuntrahyman
James Williams: 6-5 : 285 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #448 SDE: #19 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl Team
Jackson, MS
Top 6 (via Twitter) : (Alabama, LSU, UGA, Louisville, Ole Miss, Mississippi State)
Crystal Ball: 67% Miss St. , 22% OM
Twitter: @_bigjames3
Fabien Lovett: 6-3 : 285 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #719 SDE: #28
Olive Branch, MS
Committed to Mississippi State on 8/18/17
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Twitter: @fabo_54
Dorian Gerald: 6-3 : 260 : 4 Star
National Ranking Juco: #17 SDE Juco: #1
Florence, SC : College of the Canyons
Decommitted from Tennessee 11/12/17
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit in January
(Via Twitter) : Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss in Running
Twitter: @topnotchdg
Linebackers:
Current LBs:
Outside LB: (Josh Clarke, Brenden Williams, Willie Hibbler)
Inside LB: (Mohamed Sango, Donta Evans, Detric Bing-Dukes)
Star: (Cam Ordway)
Recruits:
Jacquez Jones: 6-0.5 : 215 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #707 OLB: #43 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
Tuscaloosa, AL
Primary Recruiter: Freddie Roach
Committed to Ole Miss on 9/8/17
Twitter: @ESPN_Jac
Jonathan Hess: 6-5 : 215 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #1379 OLB: #93 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl Team
Birmingham, AL
Primary Recruiter: Derrick Nix
Committed to Ole Miss on 6/21/17
Twitter: @jhess7
Vernon Dasher: 6-3 : 205 : 3 Star
National Ranking: NR OLB: NR
Baxley, GA : Coffeyville C.C.
Primary Recruiter: Freddie Roach
Ole Miss Visit 12/15/17
Twitter: @sosaa13
UPDATE: Dasher also was ranked a 3 star by 247 Tuesday and has been named the #5 Juco OLB
Kevontae’ Ruggs: 6-4 : 190 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #494 OLB: #32 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
Montgomery, AL
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/18/18
Twitter: @rip_lamexico
Davion Taylor: 6-2 : 215 : 4 Star
National Ranking Juco: #16 OLB Juco: #1
Clarksdale, MS : Coahoma C.C
Committed to the University of Colorado
Ole Miss Visit 12/1/17
Twitter: @daviontaylot
UPDATE: Per David Johnson OM Spirit, Taylor will confirm his commitment to Colorado Wednesday.
Chris Oats: 6-4 : 215 : 4 Star
National Ranking: #315 OLB: #23
Cincinnati, OH
Primary Recruiter: Bradley Dale Peveto
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Crystal Ball: 44% Kentucky, 17% Ohio State, 17% Ole Miss
Twitter: @christopheroats
Jaylen Moody: 6-2 : 225 : NR
National Ranking: NR ILB: NR
Conway, SC
Primary Recruiter: Bradley Dale Peveto
Ole Miss offered on 12/16/18
Twitter: @jaylenmoody42
Lorenzo McCaskill: 6-2 : 200 : 3 Star
National Ranking: 1362 OLB: 91
Southfield, MI : Holmes C.C.
Ole Miss offered 12/19/17
Twitter: @bhadda
Lakia Henry: 6-2 : 230
National Ranking: NR
Vidalia, GA : Dodge City C.C.
Ole Miss offered 12/19/17
Twitter: @lakia_henry_4
UPDATE: Ole Miss is set to sign two JUCO linebackers on Wednesday. The three options are Vernon Dasher, Lakia Henry and Lorenzo McCaskill.
Safety:
Current S: (Zedrick Woods, C.J. Moore, Jaylon Jones, Kam White)
Recruits:
Cameron White: 6-1 : 185 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #795 S: #58 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
Madison, MS
Primary Recruiter: Jason Jones
Committed to Ole Miss on 12/8/17
Twitter: @cam_white25
Cam’ron Jones: 6-0 : 200 : 4 Star
National Ranking: #298 S: #25
Mansfield, TX
Primary Recruiter: Jason Jones
Decommitted from UCLA
Ole Miss Scheduled Visit 1/26/18
Crystal Ball: 87% Nebraska , 7% Ole Miss
Twitter: @camgonework15
Cornerbacks:
Current CBs: (Miles Hartsfield, Javien Hamilton, D.D. Bowie, Ken Webster)
Recruits:
JaKorey Hawkins: 5-11 : 187 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #1040 CB: #91 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
Montgomery, AL
Committed to Ole Miss on 10/25/17
Twitter: @_Jhawk_15
Keidron Smith: 6-2 : 180 : 3 Star
National Ranking: #1195 CB: #103
West Palm Beach, FL
Committed to Ole Miss on 11/26/17
Twitter: @keidrons
Scheduled January Visits:
Jan 1/18
- Kevontae’ Ruggs 3 Star OLB
Jan 1/19
- Fabien Lovett 3 Star DE
Jan 1/26
- Charles Strong 3 Star RB
- Jalen Cunningham 3 Star DT
- Malik Heath 4 Star WR
- Christopher Oats 4 Star OLB
- Harold Joiner 4 Star RB
- Kenny Gainwell 3 Star ATH
- Tank Jenkins 4 Star OG
- Hamilton Hall 3 Star OT
- Noah Jefferson 3 Star DT
- Cam’ron Jones 4 Star S
- Marquez Ezzard 4 Star WR
Sometime in January
- Dorian Gerald 4 Star DE
Final Predictions (21 Scholarships)
Early Signing Period (14):
- Demarcus Gregory (Early Enrollee)
- Scottie Phillips (Early Enrollee)
- Matt Corral (Early Enrollee)
- Cam White
- Hal Northern (Early Enrollee)
- Keidron Smith
- Jacquez Jones
- Jonathan Hess
- KD Hill
- Quentin Bivens
- Jalen Cunningham
- Vernon Dasher (Early Enrollee)
- Elijah Moore (Flip from UGA)
National Signing Day (7):
- Deuntra Hyman
- Marquez Ezzard
- Fabien Lovett (Flip Miss St)
- Cam’ron Jones (Flip UCLA)
- Charles Strong (Flip FSU)
- Dorian Gerald (Flip Tenn)
- Kevontae’ Ruggs
Nick Bushart is an intern for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at nabushar@go.olemiss.edu.
For more questions or comments email us at hottytoddynews@gmail.com.
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