Recruits’ Reactions: 2023 and 2024 targets react to the Rebs’ win over Arkansas
“Winning is fun…. Sure. But winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you’ve done is the point.” — Coach Pat Summitt
OXFORD, Miss. — What a wild ride it was Saturday as the Rebels rallied in a thriller to defeat the Razorbacks, 52-51, in Oxford in Week 6. We had the chance to visit with some of the recruits who are being targeted by Ole Miss, as well as some who are up-and-coming, but still ‘under the radar,’ to get their reactions the heart-stopping victory.
First, let’s recap the win!
Quarterback KJ Jefferson’s 9-yard pass to Warren Thompson as the clock ran out put the Hogs just one point away from the promised land. It was all or nothing as Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman decided to go for the two-point conversion to try and seal the win.
But the Rebels refused to give up. Tavius Robison and Sam Williams came up big for the Ole Miss defense, putting heat on Jefferson on the two-point attempt, and just by a hair the Rebs served up a little revenge for last year’s defeat.
Offensively, it was a heck of a performance by both teams as they combined for 1,287 total yards and 14 touchdowns.
It appears as if the loss to Alabama has only fueled Matt Corral even more as he sits atop the Heisman odds. He finished 14 of 21 for 287 yards on the day passing, with a two touchdowns through the air and two rushing.
The Rebels showed off their ground game again, rushing for over 300 yards for the third time this season with a final tally of 324 against the Hogs. Running backs Henry Parrish and Snoop Conner finished with 111 and 110 yards, respectively. Wide receiver Braylon Sanders caught two passes for 127 yards and one TD.
There were moments where it was evident the Ole Miss defense needs some depth, as two players played the full 94 snaps apiece in the game, while several others played in the 70s and 80s. It is likely the coaches are trying to remedy this by adding more players to the mix to help keep the defense rested — and by working more on finding a way to get the unit off the field more frequently on third down.
This week The Rebel Walk caught up with some of the newest ‘23 and ‘24 recruits, as well as a few ‘under the radar’ talents who may not have yet punched their ticket to #ComeToTheSip — but it still hasn’t stopped them from taking notice that something special is happening down in Oxford.
Rebel Recruits’ Reactions
‘23 4-Star TE Ethan Davis (Collin Hill, GA): 247Sports No.15 TE, No. 23 Athlete in GA
Follow: @davis1ethan on Twitter
https://t.co/01wjcX3Teg
First four game Highlights “💍 Season “ @coachTWoff @_Coach_Williams @HayHay_50 @thekuff16 @GregoryLenny @SwickONE8— ethan davis (@davis1ethan) September 20, 2021
“The game was crazy, complete shootout, glad the Rebs pulled it out, energy was HIGH and the crowd was loud, great being able to see the offense up close!”
Ethan Davis
‘24 4-Star QB Elijah Brown (Mater Dei, Ca): 247Sports No. 52 Overall, No.4 QB, No. 6 Athlete in CA
Follow: @ElijahBrown_29 on Twitter
“I had a great experience visiting Ole Miss. That was my first time visiting a true college town. I really enjoyed it. The game was exciting and their offense was fast paced and fun to watch. The fans and the atmosphere were amazing. I’m thankful I was able to go and for the opportunity to visit the stadium and campus.”
Elijah Brown
‘24 WR Jack Ressler (Mater Dei, Ca)
Follow: @jackressler88 on Twitter
Brown to @jackressler88 🏈 @MDFootball up 35-21 with 50 seconds left in Q3 pic.twitter.com/OPJ31CzJ2m
— SBLive California (@SBLiveCA) October 2, 2021
“Wow! What a game. The Ole Miss fan base and football program is special. The SEC has some of the most competitive football in the country and I can definitely see myself playing in it. Looking forward to continuing building a relationship with the coaching staff at Ole Miss.”
Jack Ressler
‘24 WR Tyseer Denmark (Roman Catholic, PA)
Follow: @tyseer5denmark on Twitter
Coming for it all! @RomanCatholicHC pic.twitter.com/yA3SLESh7c
— tyseer5denmark (@tyseer5denmark) October 13, 2021
“Really high scoring game with Arkansas. Crazy ending. The atmosphere seemed lit.”
Tyseer Denmark
‘Under the Radar’ Recruits’ Reactions
‘23 QB Mabrey Mettauer (The Woodlands, TX)
Follow: @MabreyMettauer on Twitter
🚨Weeks 1-6 Elite 2024 QB Mabrey Mettauer @MabreyMettauer
6’6 220
4.0 GPA
Offers: Cal, Miami, Florida, LSU, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Georgia Tech and ULM
🎥 🎞 ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/9k0I7dEKR1 pic.twitter.com/FfHrwlmw5E
— TEAM TEXAS FURY INC ®️™️ 🔥 (@Fury7v7) October 12, 2021
“I like the way the team fought through adversity especially against a really good team.”
Mabrey Mettauer
‘23 LT Austin “House” Ramsey (Roman Catholic, PA)
Follow: @RamseyHouse on Twitter
😈 @RomanCatholicHC 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/jjNQCAwhAl
— Austin “House” Ramsey (@RamseyHouse) September 17, 2021
“Watching that game Saturday I was inspired by the dog fight Ole Miss displayed and watching the 0-line was especially exciting, you can really tell those guys wanted it.”
Austin Ramsey
Next Up:
The Rebels hit the road to Rocky Top in Week 7 in the much-anticipated return of chess master Lane Kiffin to Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM from Knoxville. #BeatTennessee
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Herring-Olvedo sees college football the way championship programs do—from inside the personnel room. Every evaluation, every roster move, every recruiting battle tells a bigger story about identity, culture, and how a program is built to win in December, not just July.
With more than 15 years covering the SEC and the national recruiting landscape, Herring-Olvedo has built a reputation as one of the sport’s most respected personnel-driven voices—blending film evaluation, roster construction, and long-term program vision through a true front-office lens. Her coverage of powerhouse brands like Ole Miss Rebels and Kentucky Wildcatshas consistently gone beyond headlines, focusing instead on the blueprint behind winning programs: development, fit, culture, and recruiting strategy.
That foundation was formed early at Brown University, where she worked in player personnel and recruiting while competing as a student-athlete. Inside those recruiting operations rooms, she learned how elite organizations are truly built—through relentless evaluation, relationship building, projection, and trust in the board. Those experiences shaped the way she studies the game today: part scout, part storyteller, part architect.
Her analysis and reporting have appeared across major platforms including ESPN, NFL coverage spaces, USA Today Sports, and Saturday Down South. She also brought her personnel-minded approach to the airwaves as an on-air analyst for the Wake Up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1, where she became known for combining film-room detail with a wider understanding of roster identity and program trajectory.
In 2025, covering the rise of Houston Cougars football under Willie Fritz reignited the part of the sport that first drew her into football—the culture, the edge, the belief that a roster can reshape an entire city. That inspiration led to the launch of Coogs 365 Sports, a platform built to cover Houston athletics through a true scouting and recruiting lens while connecting the emotion of the game to the heartbeat of H-Town.
Now, Herring-Olvedo returns to The Rebel Walk where with an even deeper perspective shaped by years inside recruiting circles, national SEC coverage, and hands-on evaluation experience. Her return brings a familiar voice back to Ole Miss coverage—but with an evolved lens rooted in roster architecture, player development, and the modern realities of building championship-caliber football in the NIL and portal era.
For Herring-Olvedo, recruiting has never been about stars beside a name. It is about identifying competitors, projecting growth, and building a locker room capable of sustaining success. Her philosophy mirrors the best front offices in football: stack traits, trust culture, and never stop building.
