Ben MillerOle Miss’ 2019 recruiting class currently ranks No. 17 in the nation and No. 6 in the SEC, according to 247 Sports. A streak of huge signings saw the Rebels briefly sit atop the nation’s recruiting rankings this spring, and although that position has dropped slightly, this level of success is still surprising. Head coach Matt Luke’s “Mississippi Made” campaign has attracted a large number of top-notch Mississippian recruits to the university. Over the summer, another drove of high-profile athletes committed to play for the Rebels in 2019.
Undoubtedly the biggest name headed to Oxford is Jerrion Ealy, a 4-star running back who has committed to play both football and baseball for the Rebels. He is ranked as the No. 2 football player in the state of Mississippi and the No. 4 baseball recruit in the nation.
@DemetricDWarren @_DHodges I AM A OLE MISS REBEL. I have committed to play both Football and baseball! pic.twitter.com/x4OdCkXXzp
— Jerrion Ealy (@ealy_1k) December 15, 2017
To further bolster the already daunting Rebel offense, receiver coach Jacob Peeler secured the commitment of the No. 6 player in Mississippi, 4-star wide receiver Dannis Jackson. Though he was previously verbally committed to Mississippi State, Jackson will now join the powerful Ole Miss receiver core just in time for Matt Corral’s anticipated debut season. At 6-feet-1-inch tall and weighing 180 pounds, Jackson shares measurables, among other similarities, with his future teammate A.J. Brown.
@NastyWideOuts @CoachMattLuke pic.twitter.com/JWtMbreSsy
— JET JACKSON⚡️ (@DannisjJackson) July 31, 2018
Another addition to the Nasty Wide Outs is Jonathan Mingo, who sits just five spots behind Jackson, at No. 11 overall in Mississippi. The commitments of Mingo and Jackson are the latest events in a run of fantastic offensive recruiting decisions by Matt Luke and Jacob Peeler.
I’m committed❗️Hotty Toddy 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/cupfHlgXKo
— jonathan mingo (@Og_Mingo_) July 31, 2018
Joining the offense to protect Matt Corral is the No. 4 player in the state of Arkansas, 6-foot-6-inch, 340-pound offensive tackle Darius Thomas. Thomas committed to the University of Mississippi on July 31, choosing the Rebels over SEC powerhouses such as Georgia, Auburn and LSU. He also had offers from Mississippi State, Arkansas and Missouri.
— Darius Thomas (@Dit200119) July 31, 2018
Perhaps most important is the commitment of the No. 7 junior college player in the nation, who will be a much-needed addition to the weak Rebel defense. Montgomery, Alabama, native Sam Williams, who is also known as “Big Sam,” is an insanely athletic outside linebacker and defensive end who checks in at 6-feet-4-inches tall and weighs 250 pounds. He committed to Ole Miss over several SEC opponents, including Auburn, Texas A&M and Tennessee.
I am a landshark now 🔴🔵🦈 #commitment #HottyToddy #madhousefit #38baby pic.twitter.com/m7r2PG7FIw
— Big SAM (@DegarrickSamuel) June 21, 2018
Unfortunately, the defense could have looked even more menacing in 2019, but Diwun Black’s decommitment has made the prospective future defense look far weaker. Black is ranked as the No. 3 player in Mississippi and the No. 3 inside linebacker in the entire nation. His decommitment and subsequent commitment to Florida is a blow to the Rebels, but the damper it has put on this successful summer doesn’t tarnish the overall positivity surrounding this recruiting class.
