Ole Miss Benefits from Recruiting Services Final Rankings

A couple weeks removed from the high school all-star events, the major recruiting services, 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals, and Scout, released their final recruiting rankings. A few of the current 2015 commitments received bumps, most notably the in-state recruits.

Following a noteworthy performance at the U.S. Army All-American game, offensive guard Javon Patterson (Petal) surged up the 247 rankings. Patterson is not only a five-star prospect now, he is also the No. 1 guard in the country and No. 1 overall player in the state of Mississippi. He is followed in the state rankings by Leo Lewis (Brookhaven), the No. 1 inside-linebacker in the country and No. 66 recruit overall. Safety Armani Linton (Walnut) was long-neglected as many small-school prospects are, but is now the No. 6 safety in America and No. 4 overall player in the state. That gives Ole Miss three of the top four players in the state, according to 247.

Six Rebel commitments found themselves in the newest ESPN 300. Offensive tackle Drew Richmond (Memphis, Tennessee) leads the way at No. 58 followed closely by Lewis at 60. The Worldwide Leader has Patterson lower than anyone at No. 73. Three more four-star Rebel commits made the list: running back Eric Swinney (Tyrone, Georgia) is at No. 183, offensive tackle Michael Howard (Green Cove Springs, Florida) is No. 239 and defensive back Cameron Ordway (Pulaski, Tennessee) is No. 273.

Rivals thinks the highest of Richmond, rating the tackle as a five-star prospect and the No. 28 player regardless of position. Patterson is at 62, Lewis at 77 and Swinney at 87. Lewis was listed as one of the highest “risers” as he moved up 34 spots. The class’s quality-over-quantity approach is proven by its No. 22 ranking despite just 16 commitments. The only other team with so few commitments in the top 25 is LSU who also have 16.

In the final Scout rankings, tight end Willie Hibbler (Sardis) makes an appearance. The North Panola standout is ranked as the No. 7 player in the state despite missing time due to a serious car accident on Highway 51 on Oct. 3. That gives Ole Miss four of the state’s top seven players along with Patterson (2), Lewis (3) and Linton (5).

There will undoubtedly be a lot of moving and shaking in the 2015 recruiting class between now and National Signing Day on Feb. 4., but Hugh Freeze & Co. appear to be in good position to make a lot of highly-regarded additions for the 2015 season.

Michael Quirk is a HottyToddy.com staff reporter and can be reached at michael.quirk@hottytoddy.com.