Twas the night before Signing Day. Tomorrow morning at 6:30 central Robert Nkemdiche will announce.
The nation’s No. 1 prospect has been considered an Ole Miss lean for a long time. He’s also seemed to enjoy the drama of recruiting, which means Ole Miss fans shouldn’t rest with complete ease until the letter of intent rolls off the fax machine.
If Ole Miss doesn’t get Nkemdiche’s LOI it will be considered an upset. Many believe it’s a foregone conclusion, including AP which moved this Signing Day advance earlier this evening. The lead talks about “good news for Ole Miss.”
Houston defense end Chris Jones is still in play. I’m calling Mississippi State on that one, not because I have any inside information, just a gut feeling. MSU has had a longer relationship with Jones, and if Jones is lacking a strong guiding hand in this process – and the drama suggests that – then it will be hard for him to make a tough decision that might go against what many townfolk in Houston would prefer.
MSU will also likely sign Itawamba AHS running back Ashton Shumpert, though there’s a buzz around that name that maybe that isn’t quite a done deal.
The Rebels are in good shape with a number of uncommitted, highly regarded recruits. In addition to having a firm commitment from Laquon Treadwell, the nation’s No. 1 receiver, in hand, the Rebels have a strong chance with the top OL, Laremy Tunsil, as well as offensive linemen Christian Morris and Austin Golson and South Panola safety Antonio Conner, a four-star prospect.
This is different territory for Ole Miss recruiting. The Rebels are in the mix for such highly rated players that there’s a risk of disappointment if they sign only one or two of them.
Ole Miss recruiting has become such a national story that it’s no longer surprising to hear Ole Miss mentioned in these conversations. That being said, if there’s a Signing Day surprise, it may be negative in nature.
Or maybe it’s a complete surprise on the positive side.
That’s what recruiting’s all about, right?
Denham Springs, La., native, Mississippian since 1989 with a stop in Meridian before arriving in Tupelo. Daily Journal beat writer since 1996, covering Ole Miss since 2002. Proud Northeast Louisiana alum. Follow me on Twitter @parrishalford and listen to Kory Keys and myself daily with The Ole Miss Beat on Rebel Sports Radio.
