Rebel Recruit Reactions: “We Still Run The Sip” Edition
OXFORD, Miss. — It has been eight days, and some of us are still celebrating the Rebels’ 31-21 win over Mississippi State.
In fact, it was a Thanksgiving that will go down in history not just because Ole Miss still runs the ‘Sip, but rather for all the storylines written on that rainy night in Starkville.
Matt Corral and the Rebels celebrate the 31-21 win over State. (Photo: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
An Ole Miss program that found itself 5-5 after the 2020 regular season now finds itself, with head coach Lane Kiffin at the helm, making history and finishing the regular season 10-2 for the first time in program history.
The Rebels will soon learn on Selection Sunday just where they will be ringing in the New Year — and it will certainly be in one of the prestigious New Year’s Six Bowl games.
We certainly cannot forget one of the most vital parts of this year’s team — quarterback Matt Corral who certainly deserves to be considered for this year’s Heisman. If any kid has shown the Heart of Heisman, it is Matt.
Yes, that win over the Bulldogs on Thanksgiving night was nitty and gritty — just the way we like our Egg Bowl victories! In case you want to relive all the glory, take a look back at our RW Gamer.
As of now, Ole Miss coaches are on the road in hopes of making an extra ‘Merry Flipmas’ on the recruiting trail, and Rebel Nation is eagerly awaiting to see where we should be booking the Airbnb’s for New Year’s.
We at Rebel Walk had a chance to catch up with some of Ole Miss’ top recruits as well as some under-the-radar prospects to get their reactions from the historic night in the ‘Sip.
Class of 2022: 4-star MLB Stone Blanton
Madison-Ridgeland Academy, MS – 247Sports Composite No. 38 Linebacker, No.9 in MS
Follow @StoneBlanton7
Under Armour All American Game
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @Stoneblanton7 will be playing in the @UANextFootball game on Jan. 2, 2022 from Orlando, FL 🎥 live coverage will be on @espn #HTHL pic.twitter.com/ejTbXo8cMK
— Football | MRA (@mrafootball) November 23, 2021
“It was a great game! Coach Durkin’s defense play really well and it was super exciting to watch.”
Stone Blanton on the Rebels’ Egg Bowl win
Class of 2022: 3-Star OT Preston Cushman
Calvary Christian, FL – 247Sports Composite No. 128 OT and No. 178 In FL
Follow: @Cush_51
Humbled to have @Lane_Kiffin and @CoachThornton61 at my home for their first visit of the Year! #hottytoddy @WarriorsFB_HC pic.twitter.com/9CNOH1odeI
— Preston Cushman (@Cush_51) November 28, 2021
“The egg bowl was a crazy game. For Ole Miss to go into the hostile environment and play like they did it is a great feeling to have. Also having a 10-win season for the first time in history is an amazing accomplishment and just shows how Coach Kiffin’ staff has come in and built this championship culture that will stay for years to come.“
Preston Cushman on the Egg Bowl win and Coach Kiffin
Class of 2023: 4-star safety Ryan Yaites
Guyer HS, TX – 247Sports Composite No. 8 S in nation and No. 23 overall player in Texas
Follow @ryan_yaites
Good morning @OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/1vc4GWcOMq
— Ryan Yaites (@ryan_yaites) November 6, 2021
“Ole Miss was dominant the entire game. The defense did a great job and that offense did their job. Being a rival game, you could tell the players were excited and ready. They were very well-coached. Williams had two big sacks and had a great year. Ole Miss running backs did a good job keeping the drives going. It was a great all around game.“
Safety Ryan Yaites on the Rebels’ win over State
Class of 2023: 4-star OT Olaus Alinen
The Loomis Chafee School, CT: 247Sports Composite No. 14 OT and No. 1 In CT
Follow @alinen_olaus
JUNIOR YEAR HIGHLIGHT TAPE‼️ Could not have asked for a better first season in the States, honored to have played with such an amazing group of guys! @CoachJeffMoore @LC_Football_ https://t.co/CTYpVxWGbd
— Olaus Alinen (@alinen_olaus) November 22, 2021
“It was a good game! The offense was impressive, yet again. They played physically and the defense got the job done as well.“
OT Olaus Alinen on the victory over State
Class of 2022: QB Demahri Wallace
Jackson Northside High Schoo, Jackson, TN
Follow: @DemahriW
Y’all still sleep ❓🤦🏽♂️- https://t.co/E7cQWdpm3U
— Demahri Wallace (@DemahriW) November 3, 2021
“That game was exciting to watch. There were a lot of big plays made on both sides of the ball. I liked how they dominated Mississippi State the whole game.“
QB Demahri Wallace on Rebels’ Egg Bowl win
Class of 2024: QB DJ Lagway
Willis High School, Willis, TX
Follow @DerekLagway
Sophomore szn highlights✅ @TheQBTech @SWiltfong247 @adamgorney @samspiegs @ChadSimmons_ @AWilliamsUSA @MissKYUS2011 @Zack_Poff_MP @Birm @R_Brauninger @Jason_Howell @MikeTSinger @JWhiteheadUSA @QBHitList @NickHarris247 @RivalsFriedman @Mansell247 @HamiltonESPN @ErikRichardsUSA pic.twitter.com/b743utDWMZ
— DJ Lagway 🏈🏀⚾️ 6’3 210lbs class of 2024 (@DerekLagway) November 22, 2021
“They played a hard-fought game on both sides of the ball and played like that through all 4 quarters.“
QB Derek Lagway on Ole Miss’ 31-21 win over State
Class of 2025: QB Antwann Hill Jr.
Houston County High School, Warner Robins, Georgia
Follow @antwann_jr
Freshman looking like a senior https://t.co/9vvtJYlTuU@antwann_jr
— QB Country Atlanta (@QBC_Atlanta) October 17, 2021
“The Rebels put quarterbacks in a great position to succeed in the run and pass game, but what stands out most to me is how it spreads offense, and Coach Kiffin puts Corral in a good position to make good decisions on the field.“
QB Antwann Hill,Jr. on the Egg Bowl game
Class of 2026: QB Julian “JuJu” Lewis
Carrollton High School, Carrollton, Georgia
Follow @JuJuLewis10
#AGTG Blessed to Receive an ⭕️ffer from The University of Mississippi #HottyToddy @OleMissFB @Lane_Kiffin @Coach_Leb@CoachCPartridge @CoachJoeyKing @BALLERSCHOICE1 @SWiltfong247 @adamgorney @JeremyO_Johnson @LemmingReport @samspiegs @ErikRichardsUSA @rvfc10@CoachMIL1 #COACHMIL pic.twitter.com/IJN48CsuLw
— Julian "Ju Ju" Lewis (@JuJuLewis10) November 18, 2021
“Awesome game. It was a total team effort. Can’t wait to get to campus to visit this summer.“
Julian “JuJu” Lewis on the Egg Bowl
Final thoughts
So tonight, Rebel faithful, just think of the places we have been this season — and, oh, the places we will go!
No matter which bowl game the Rebels are invited to, we will celebrate our team and its record-breaking 10-2 season and the fact that #WeRunTheSip!
Hotty Toddy!
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.
