Ole Miss adds RB Pennamon to highly ranked 2016 class
Three-star running back D’Vaughn Pennamon wasted no time deciding what school he will attend in 2016, announcing via Twitter Tuesday that he will attend the University of Mississippi, giving Ole Miss three running backs for its 2016 class.
I am proud to say that I officially committed to the University of Mississippi #HottyToddy #CHASEACHECK 🔵🔴🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/jSUfYIZBsY
— Houston’s Finest 😆💜 (@TheDvaughnP) July 21, 2015
The Manvel, Texas (Manvel High School) native joins four-star back Justin Connor and three-star back Jarrion Street, who committed to the Rebels via Twitter Saturday. His primary recruiter was Ole Miss wide receivers coach Grant Heard, with whom he has a great relationship outside of football.
Of Heard, Pennamon told 247Sports: “We’re from the same county. He’s from down here. That gave us something special in common. He gave me some assurances about what my experience at Ole Miss would be like. We’re from the same state and the same city.”
Pennamon currently ranks as the nation’s 20th best running back on 247Sports.com’s composite rankings. The 5-foot-11, 199-pound back chose Ole Miss over offers from Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Houston, and Arkansas–just to name a few.
Pennamon had the chance to visit Ole Miss for its elite camp on June 5, and that boosted his interest in playing under head coach Hugh Freeze. “I saw everything I needed to see,” Pennamon told 247Sports, referring to his only visit to Ole Miss. “I got to see the whole campus, academics and everything. I left with a great impression. Ole Miss had everything that I wanted,” he added.
Pennamon is quite versatile and would be a strong addition to the Ole Miss offense. During his junior season, he averaged more than 10 yards per carry (62 attempts for 660 yards) and also caught 17 passes for 267 yards. He notched six touchdowns rushing and seven receiving.
With his decision day out of the way, Pennamon plans to take all five of his official visits this fall and hopes to return to Oxford as early as next month. He gives the Rebels their 17th commitment for the 2016 class, which is currently ranked 9th in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite.
After his commitment, Pennamon mentioned he hopes to play alongside his current teammate, Deontay Anderson, who currently has offers from Ole Miss, LSU, USC, and Texas A&M.
Feature Image: Manvel High School’s D’Vaughn Pennamon, leaps over North Shore High School’s Rick Branch during the first half of a football game at Memorial Stadium, Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, in Alvin. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle).
