Ole Miss wraps up big recruiting weekend

When it comes to hosting top talent on a recruiting visit, not many do it as well as Ole Miss. From all accounts, the big recruiting weekend was a success. 18 visitors made the trip to Oxford over the weekend, and two left impressed enough to make verbal commitments: three-star defensive end Rasool Clemons and four-star wide receiver Van Jefferson.

The Ole Miss recruiting class is currently ranked No. 16 in the nation by ESPN and Scout after the two additions this weekend.

Clemons First To Commit

Early Sunday morning, Clemons committed to the Rebels following his official visit to Ole Miss. Clemons said, “It feels like home and family,” in an interview with 247Sports.com recruiting analyst Ryan Bartow.

Van Jefferson Makes His Decision 

Not long after Rasool Clemons hopped on board, several media outlets on twitter claimed that four-star WR Van Jefferson had also committed to the Rebels. There was only one problem with that; no one could confirm the reports. Later, reports came out that Van wanted to get his parents’ blessing before making a final decision, and around 8:30 PM Sunday night the Top 100 wide receiver went public with his decision.

I have officially committed to The University of Mississippi. I want to thank my family, friends, and God through this process. #HottyToddy

— Van Jefferson (@VanJefferson12) January 26, 2015

Remaining Targets

With just nine days left until National Signing Day, the Ole Miss coaching staff will to convince their top remaining targets (and their parents), why Oxford is the place for them. After the weekend visits finished and players left for home, the coaches must have walked away feeling pretty good about were they stand with the recruits. Five-star DE CeCe Jefferson, along with lifelong friend four-star ILB Jeffery Holland made the trip to Oxford, as did five-star WR Damarkus Lodge. By all accounts, things went as well as they could during their visit.

While on an unofficial visit to Ole Miss this weekend, CeCe Jefferson posted a video on Instagram of Jeffery Holland, Coach Hugh Freeze and himself walking through Vaught-Hemingway Stadium while bobbing their heads to a Lil Jon song. Near the end of the video, all three threw up the Landshark sign. That can never be a bad thing.

While the Rebels may feel a little more confident after the weekend with where they stand for four-star Jeffery Holland, it will be tough to pull even with Auburn this late in the game.

5-star wide receiver Damarkus Lodge enjoyed his time in Oxford, but we’ll have to keep a close eye on his recruitment as Texas A&M and Texas are both pushing hard for the talented in-state receiver.

Another big target for the Rebels is 3-star defensive end Austrian Robinson out of Pawling, NY (Trinity-Pawling School). After his official ended, Robinson told reporters the Rebels are now tied with Maryland as his top schools.

The Commits

Ole Miss also brought in 9 of its current commits in the 2015 recruiting class. The two commits most Rebel fans are keeping a close watch on are 4-star ILB Leo Lewis and 4-star OT Drew Richmond. Both are believed to be taking official visits next weekend; Lewis to LSU, and Richmond possibly to Tennessee to visit the Vols.

At this point, Richmond has stated he is unsure if he will sign his Letter of Intent on Feb. 4th. There is a possibility he may wait until April before signing anywhere. You can be sure Ole Miss is doing everything they can to retain both these recruits.

Other Ole Miss commits who were in Oxford this past weekend: 4-star safety Armani Linton, 4-star QB Jason Pellerin, 4-star running back Eric Swinney and 3-star cornerback Cameron Ordway. All appear to be firm with their commitment to the Rebels.

Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for your Ole Miss National Signing Day updates!

Ryan Dillard

Ryan is a long-time Rebel fan who believes nothing beats a cool, crisp fall day in the Grove with family and friends. Ryan is an avid follower of Ole Miss football with an extensive knowledge of Rebel recruiting. He and his daughter live in Pontotoc, MS, where she is a great volleyball player and he cooks a pretty mean gumbo.