Ole Miss’ crop of 2017 football recruits is expected to be ranked significantly lower than in previous years. According to the Clarion-Ledger citing a 247Sports composite ranking, the Rebels have had the eighth, 15th, 17th and fifth best recruiting classes in the past four years respectively. This year, the Rebels are expected to finish somewhere in the 50s.
Many believe the shortage of talented recruits this year stems from a prolonged NCAA investigation into the Ole Miss Rebels program that remains unresolved, with sanctions yet to be imposed.K.C. Swain, a sophomore potential walk-on, echoed this sentiment when he said, “A lot of the recruits are wary about coming here because of the investigation.”
In the midst of an uncertain future, a string of three- and four-star prospects have de-committed from Ole Miss, potentially leaving the Rebels at the bottom of the SEC rankings. For example, in December, top-rated Mississippi prospect, Clinton High School’s Cam Akers, signed with Florida State. An anonymous SEC assistant told ESPN that Akers was someone the Rebels would have surely signed in previous years.
Despite uncertainty about what Wednesday brings, Graham Lindman, junior back-up quarterback, says he is optimistic about Signing Day. “We have a couple guys who are enrolled already. Everyone is really excited to see who we get,” said Lindman.
As of early Wednesday morning, there are still no 5-stars headed to Oxford, only two 4-star players and twelve 3-stars. However, Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Tayler Polk believes that early signees have already shown lots of potential. “Combined with those that will enroll in June, this class will bring solid additions that will have impact on day one,” Polk said.
Ole Miss’s top recruit, expected to officially sign today, is 4-star athlete and Mississippi native D.D. Bowie from Morton High School, who hopes to play defensive back for the Rebels. The Rebels did get word that 3-star wide receiver Braylon Sanders committed and just before noon Wednesday, the team was still waiting to hear from 4-star running back Cordarrian Richardson.
Story contributed by Meek School of Journalism & New Media students Jordan Dollenger jmdollen@go.olemiss.edu, Amy Rosenthal acrosent@go.olemiss.edu, John West jtwest1@go.olemiss.edu and Emily Davis elguess@go.olemiss.edu.
