Ole Miss football inks 25 on first day of Early Signing Period

Darius Thomas, OT (Jonnesboro, AR) – 90.7 composite

Sam Williams, DE (Northeast MS C.C.) – 90.0 composite

Grant Tisdale, QB (Allen, TX) – 88.9 composite

Jadon Jackson, WR (Centerton, AR) – 88.5 composite

Deantre Prince, ATH (Charleston, MS) –  88.5 composite

Nick Broeker, OT (Springfield, IL) – 87.7 composite

Patrick Lucas, DT (Wetumpka, AL) – 87.3 composite

Jonathan Haynes, S (Jones County J.C) – 87.3 composite

Dontario Drummond, WR (East Mississippi C.C.) – 86.9 composite

Jordan Jernigan, WR (Tupelo, MS) – 86.9 composite

Jeremy James, OT (Cumming, GA) – 86.8 composite

Reece McIntyre, OT (Buford, GA) – 86.6 composite

Ashanti Cistrunk, OLB (Louisville, MS) – 86.6 composite

Jamar Richardson, CB (Jones County J.C.) – 85.8 composite

A.J. Finley, S (Mobile, AL) – 85.6 composite

Carter Colquitt, OT (Buford, GA) – 85.5 composite

Jalen Jordan, CB (Lake Cormorant, MS) – 85.5 composi

Jarod Conner, RB (Hattiesburg, MS) – 85.5 composite

Jay Stanley, S (Brandon, MS) – 85.1 composite

Bryce Ramsey, OG (Gulfport, MS) –  84.9 composite

Caleb Warren, OT (Louisville, MS) – 84.8 composite

Kinkead Dent, QB (Jackson, MS) – 84.7 composite

Tavario Standifer, S (Tupelo, MS) – 84.3 composite

Eric Jeffries, OLB (Oxford, MS) – 83.7 composite

Reloading in 2019

Coach Luke and his staff filled some major holes with this 2019 class. Nasty Wide Outs A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, and DaMarkus Lodge are all headed to the NFL, leaving big shoes to fill in the receiver room. These openings were addressed Wednesday with four signatures: Dannis Jackson, Jadon Jackson, Dontario Drummond, and Jordan Jernigan. The Rebels are hoping to add 4-star WR commit Jonathan Mingo to that group, likely in February.

Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu is gone, leaving the signal-caller job to Matt Corral. However, the Rebels added two more QBs to the mix Wednesday, with dual-threat QB Grant Tisdale and pro style QB Kinkead Dent. Both have great arms and will provide much-needed depth and competition.

OT Greg Little is off to the NFL, leaving a massive hole on the offensive line for the Rebels. Luckily, the Rebels landed seven offensive linemen on Wednesday.

Rebuilding the Defense

Size and strength have been an issue over the last few years for the Rebels, making Wednesday’s signees very important. JUCO DE Sam Williams signed on Wednesday with Ole Miss. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 250 lbs., Williams will be a key player on this year’s defense. Next to him, one can expect to see Patrick Lucas, a 6’3″ 290-lb DT from Wetumpka, AL.

The Rebels signed three in-state linebackers Wednesday: Lafayette’s Eric Jeffries, Louisville’s Ashanti Cistrunk, and Tupelo’s Tavario Standifer. Luke noted the Rebels will push for another linebacker before fall begins.

“We have some young linebackers in MoMo Sanogo and Jacquez Jones–thats a good building block,” Luke said. “As we look forward to this February signing class, you can probably look for us to find a junior college linebacker or another guy who can step in there and compete with those guys,” he added.

In the secondary, the Rebels added six defensive backs. Jonathan Haynes, the 5th-best JUCO safety leads that group, along with Jamar Richardson, the 8th-best JUCO CB.

Overall Grade

Although many were disappointed the Rebs did not sign Nakobe Dean or Brandon Turnage, the fact remains that Ole Miss fared well today when you put things in perspective and realize some significant spots have been addressed–with more to come in February.

Coming off two years of bowl bans, a seemingly endless NCAA investigation, a sub-.500 record in 2018, a vacancy at offensive coordinator and a newly filled defensive coordinator position, Ole Miss had a lot going against it heading into this early signing period. Yes, they lost some big in-state recruits, but when you look at the strength of the class they signed, tip your cap to the 25 players who signed today. It is likely the biggest day of their lives–and we congratulate them for choosing to become Ole Miss Rebels and help rebuild the program.