Ole Miss was at it again this year, bringing some of the top young football players in the nation to Oxford, Miss.
Other than players from Mississippi, Ole Miss helped their depth at cornerback and on the offensive and defensive lines.
Head Coach Hugh Freeze said, “We set out a goal to capture our state and the top guys in it first, then identify the position of needs. I think we were able to accomplish both of these with this class.”
Ole Miss received letters of intent from 13 of the top 25 recruits from the state of Mississippi. The most notable names are offensive guard Roderick Taylor, safety C.J. Hampton, wide receiver Markell Pack, and defensive tackle Breeland Speaks. This quartet is regarded being among the top five players in Mississippi.
Taylor is listed at 6’3”, 320 pounds, and was selected as an Under Armour All-American. During his senior season at Callaway High School, he collected more than 100 pancake blocks without giving up a sack. He was part of an offensive line that helped Callaway average more than 265 yards per game.
Hampton is listed at 6’1”, 195 pounds, and was selected as a U.S. Army All-American. In his senior season at Meridian High School, he recorded 111 tackles and four interceptions.
Pack is 6’3”, 185 pounds and was also selected as an U.S Army All-American. At Purvis High School, Pack’s final stats were 1,891 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Lastly, Speaks, of Callaway High School, is 6’4” and 285 pounds. He finished as a Medium School All-American and 5A Defensive Player of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Coaches. He totaled 118 tackles, 26.5 for losses, nine sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, three blocked kicks, five pass breakups, and a pick-six all during his senior season.
Other notable Mississippi recruits were D.K. Buford, Sammie Epps, A.J. and C.J. Moore, and Tyler Putnam.
Ole Miss received commitments from some big name out-of-state players as well: Garrald McDowell (LA), Tee Shepard (CA), Kendarius Webster (GA), and Gary Wunderlich (TN).
“We have filled some great needs today,” Coach Freeze.
Going into Freeze’s third year in the Fall 2014, the Rebels are trying to maintain the progress they have achieved lately.
Here are the names of the other recruits that have signed with Ole Miss:
- Fahn Cooper: Offensive Linemen, Crystal Lake, Ill.
- Kendrick Doss: Quarterback, Florence, Ala.
- Victor Evans: Defensive End, Dallas, Texas
- DeMarquis Gates: Linebacker, Hampton, Ga.
- Dayall Harris: Wide receiver, Jackson, Miss.
- Marquis Haynes: Defensive end, Jacksonville, Fla.
- Akeem Judd: Running back, Durham, N.C.
- Jeremy Liggins: Athlete, Oxford, Miss.
- Christian Morris: Offensive Line, Memphis, Tenn.
- Sean Rawlings: Offensive Line, Madison, Miss.
- Christian Russell: Linebacker, Fayetteville, N.C.
- Jordan Sims: Offensive Guard, Homewood, Ala.
- Chris Williams: Defensive tackle, Memphis, Tenn.
– Alex Rosado is a student in the Meek School of Journalism and New Media
