Luke Hill, Will Furniss emerge as leaders for Ole Miss baseball as duo helped retain, recruit new players
OXFORD, Miss. – It wasn’t your typical summer for Luke Hill and Will Furniss, who watched former teammates Andrew Fischer, Liam Doyle, Grayson Saunier, Wes Mendes, JT Quinn, among others, enter their names in the transfer portal and commit to rival schools around the country.
At Media Day earlier this week, Hill took us through his thought process over the time span.
“It was different, but things happen for a reason. Here at Ole Miss, you have your fans, you have your atmosphere, and it’s the best place to be on earth. When you look at that stuff, it makes you value the things that you have, and I realize how special it is to be here. Me and Will did a really good job vocalizing that Oxford is the place to be.“ –
Hill on recruiting and retaining players for 2025
SS Luke Hill (@OleMissBSB) hits this one right on the screws to PS. Short swing & proven performer, strong hit tool. Jr./’25 elig. pic.twitter.com/H9Lp456Joo
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 9, 2025
Once Hill and Furniss assessed their losses, the duo took action by getting the phone numbers of portal prospects visiting Ole Miss and ensuring that someone from Oxford provided hospitality and established a relationship with them.
In doing so, the Rebels landed a top-10 portal class, including three starting outfielders: Ryan Moerman (Illinois), Isaac Humphrey (Louisville), and Mitch Sanford (New Orleans).
“Whenever … everything was happening, the transfer portal opened and was about to close, and we were kind of talking with each other because everything that we thought was going to happen didn’t happen. People left that we didn’t think were going to leave,” Furniss explained.
“And so I called him (Luke Hill), he called me, and we kind of just mutually agreed that we needed to help try to keep guys here as well as bring other guys in. So when recruits would come to town, we’d get their numbers … and we’d text them and make sure that they had somebody from Oxford that is here to hang out with them, kind of show them around, show them the town, show them why we love Oxford and why we want to stay so bad.”
Will Furniss on how he and Luke Hill worked for the team
In addition to the transfers, Furniss mentioned how important it was for the Rebs to retain Hunter Elliott and Riley Maddox.
“The first thing is just time; he is able to be with them so much more.” – Bianco on the difference in having Mangrum on the staff
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) February 11, 2025
“It was super exciting because I knew that with (pitching coach) Joel (Mangrum), those two (Elliott and Maddox) would make great strides as pitchers. They were already really good, but I couldn’t imagine what they could do with some really good developmental help, so I thought that was awesome… I’ve only seen Hunter throw one time in person against Delaware, and that was a really surreal experience.”
– Furniss on the return of Elliott and Maddox
Between the veteran experience on the mound and the combination of returning, transfer, and freshman players in the lineup, Hill and Furniss helped assemble a gifted 2025 Ole Miss team, earning high praise from head coach Mike Bianco.
“He’s (Hill) been terrific along with Will Furniss… I’m proud of those guys.”
– Bianco on Hill and Furniss
Looking at opening weekend, Furniss and Hill will be surrounded by their Texas-rooted families and friends with hopes of taking down three top-25 teams, Arizona, Texas, and Clemson. For Hill, this is an opportunity for the Rebs to solidify themselves as contenders from the get-go.
“We get to go out and compete with the best. I can’t wait to show out with this team, we’re expecting to win ball games, and when we do, it’s going to be really exciting for the fans.“
– Hill on opening weekend
What’s Next?
Ole Miss will open the season in Arlington, Texas, against Arizona at 3 p.m. With the games being streamed on FloSports, be sure to stay tuned with The Rebel Walk for all of your baseball coverage and more!
