Rebel Nation Magazine March/April 2017

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REBEL NATION MAGAZINE™ Volume 4, Issue 5 March/April 2017 Published by Pevey Publishing, LLC Publishers Greg Pevey, Publisher Mendy Pevey, Chief Financial Office Featured Columnists Collin Brister, Acey Roberts Contributing Writers Parrish Alford, Collin Brister, Jack Criss, John Davis, Acey Roberts Layout & Design Greg Pevey - Pevey Publishing, LLC/ FinsUp™ Creative Contributing Photographers Angie Ledbetter, Josh McCoy, Bobby McDuffie, Ole Miss Athletics, Greg Pevey

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Advertising Sales Greg Pevey, greg@rebelnationmagazine.com Rebel Nation Magazine™ is published bi-monthly by Pevey Publishing, LLC to promote the athletic programs, fans and businesses affiliated with the University of Mississippi in an informative, positive, and entertaining manner. Contributions of articles and photos are welcome. All submissions are subject to editing and availability of space. Rebel Nation Magazine™ is not responsible for the return or loss of, or for any damage or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork or any other unsolicited materials. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited. Return envelope and postage must accompany all labeled materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Rebel Nation Magazine™ are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Pevey Publishing, LLC is not directly affiliated with any institution, college, university, or other academic or athletic organization. Subscriptions are $24 (1 year, 6 issues) or $40 (2 year, 12 issues). Make checks payable to Rebel Nation Magazine™, and mail to: P.O. Box 5842, Brandon, MS 39047 or subscribe on-line at www.rebelnationmagazine.com. © 2017 Pevey Publishing, LLC

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The ROSTER March/April 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 5

COMMENTARY

features

12 THE NCAA: FACT VS. FICTION

16 REBEL BIZ: the mustard

seed antique mall

By Collin Brister

14 FAN SUBMISSION:

hugh freeze - the best

coach since vaught?

By Vampireb - Clarksdale, MS

42 A.K. is at a crossroad

By Acey Roberts

An Oxford Destination Spot for Retail

18 “PICK 6” Q&A: Robin cARLIN

Ole Miss Alum is Making her Mark in Sports Broadcasting

20 this guy is legit!

Rebel Sophomore Guard

Terence Davis is a Star in the Making

FLASHBACK

24 the start of the journey:

year 1 under HUGH freeze

The 2012 Rebels Beat the Odds and set the Stage for Future Success in Oxford

ON THE COVER 28 he still has to earn it

Even after his “Manning-esque”

Performance at Texas A&M Last

Season, it’s not a Given that Shea

Patterson is a Lock at QB for 2017

36 signing day 2017

spring football preview: 32 2017 a new era starts now

WITH NEW STAFF IN PLACE, HUGH FREEZE IS READY TO PUT 2016 IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR

Hugh Freeze Signs Top 30 Recruiting Class Despite a down Season and the Lingering Cloud from the NCAA

38 signing class player capsules

TO CONTACT REBEL NATION MAGAZINE™ > ADVERTISING, LETTERS, STORY IDEAS AND PHOTO SUBMISSIONS: Email us at greg@rebelnationmagazine.com or mail to Rebel Nation Magazine™, P.O. Box 5842, Brandon, Mississippi 39047. Letters should include writer’s full name, address and telephone number and may be edited for clarity and space.

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Follow Collin Brister on Twitter @CollinBrister

commentary

THE NCAA: Fact vs. Fiction

By COLLIN BRISTER

W Featured Columnist

ITH THE NCAA investigation prolonging into somewhere around its 19th year at Ole Miss, the truth and fiction have become more and more separated about what is actually going on inside the compliance department at Ole Miss.

In late May, Ole Miss released the Notice of Allegations that it had received from the NCAA, with the caveat that the NCAA would still be investigating the program based off of comments that were made at the NFL draft by former Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The now Miami Dolphin admitted to taking money while he was at the University.

FACT The Notice of Allegations does include monetary benefits given by boosters to a recruit’s family. The NOA alleges that an Ole Miss booster gave $800 to a player’s step-father. We’ll let you guess who that step-father might be.

That’s the only accusation of monetary benefits that was given to an Ole Miss recruit’s family in the Notice of Allegations.

That’s it. That’s all. Nowhere else does it say that Ole Miss is giving out money.

FICTION Ole Miss isn’t giving out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a signing class.

They’re not giving kids six figures to come play football at the University of Mississippi.

Ole Miss has been accused of being the biggest cheaters in college football since SMU, and that’s not accurate, at least according to the Notice of Allegations. There isn’t any proof that Ole Miss is attempting to break the rules by consistently giving recruits six figure supplements to sign on the dotted line.

If Ole Miss was paying that kind of money for recruits, they need to a better job. They signed a class this year that wasn’t ranked extremely high, and in the 2016 signing class, while they were able to sign a highly12 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

ranked class, they missed out on some kids on signing day that everyone had projected to sign with Ole Miss.

FACT The Notice of Allegations accuses Ole Miss of academic wrongdoings during the Houston Nutt tenure, and that’s enough for the NCAA to punish Ole Miss.

The NCAA accuses that Ole Miss staffers knowingly operated wrongly in south Mississippi during the Nutt tenure to help athletes get into school. That can’t happen, and if it did Ole Miss has to be held accountable for that.

Even though the alleged mishaps didn’t happen during the Freeze tenure, that’s something that the NCAA, rightly, can not let happen and has to put a stop to.

FICTION Ole Miss, now, isn’t into some academic fraud scandal. The level one violations that are levied in the notice of allegations have absolutely nothing to do with Hugh Freeze and his staff. They’re not accused of making any mistakes from an academic standpoint in the overall investigation. Many people that just hear that Ole Miss is accused of the academic wrongdoings assume that Freeze is in the middle of it, and he’s not. Ole Miss made mistakes, allegedly, a few years ago, and they still have not had to pay for it.

FACT Ole Miss had a booster, by the definition of the law, give a prospect rides and stay in hotel rooms that the booster had bought.

That’s a violation and is against the NCAA rules. It’s something that the NCAA has every right to punish, and is against their bylaws. It’s not always black and white, but if a booster is giving monetary compensation to a prospect that they didn’t know before the ninth grade, then it is something that the NCAA deems that is illegal, and school can be punished for it.

FICTION That booster wasn’t acting out of Ole Miss’ demands. He was an FCA leader at a school

in Memphis and took kids to wherever they needed to go for college football visits.

The Booster took players to Arkansas, UAB and other places, including Ole Miss, but because he was a graduate of the University of Mississippi and had purchased baseball tickets in the past, the NCAA deemed him a booster and because of that reasoning they’re able to investigate those interactions to the fullest. It’s unfortunate for the booster because he wasn’t acting wrongly. He was trying to help kids, and the NCAA wants to take advantage of that niceness. ...OLE MISS likely isn’t going to get a slap on the wrist from this NCAA investigation.

They have spent way too much time coming down to Oxford and investigating claims involving hunting land and some burner cell phones. It’s obvious that at this point the NCAA is trying to get Ole Miss, and their enforcement chair is set out to make sure that the Rebels are punished to a point where people will believe that the NCAA has their teeth back and will bite for wrong doings.

What Ole Miss has going for them is that this investigation has drug on and on, and while that’s definitely hurt the recruiting classes for the Rebels, it may be something that they can take in front of the committee on infractions when they meet sometime before 2020, and can likely show that the NCAA has had a personal vendetta against Ole Miss. That’s something that’s become obvious as this investigation has drug on to a point where the investigators no doubt have it out to get Ole Miss and bring its football program down for something they probably haven’t even found yet.

Ole Miss is going to get resolution on this matter at some point, and they need it.

They’ll probably get popped relatively hard, but it’s not going to be anything that they can not overcome, but what they have to get at some point is just the answer to what is going to happen.

They lost out on recruits in the 2017 class because they weren’t able to provide them clear and concise answers as to what was going to happen with the investigation. They lost games this year, I believe, because of the lingering cloud that is over the program with the NCAA. Ole Miss needs answers quickly, even if they may not like them.

newsworthy +

Ole Miss cheerleaders take third at nationals

The Rebels All-Girl Team Makes Finals

W

hile Ole Miss students enjoyed a long break after the fall semester, the Ole Miss spirit groups were busy preparing for the Universal Cheerleaders/Dance Association College National Championships, which took place January 13-15 in Orlando, Florida. The cheerleaders came home with some trophies.

The Rebel cheerleaders finished third in the IA Coed Division, competing against the top programs in the country. The same

group also won the World University Championship, competing against not only teams from the United States, but international teams from Puerto Rico and Chile.

For the first time ever, the Rebels competed in the All Girl Competition and finished second in the World University Championships and 11th in the IA Division.

Individually, junior Brandi Berry and senior Brandon Casey competed in the partner stunt competition, bringing home seventh

place.

“As a program we have been working hard over the past few years to break into the Top 3 in the Division IA competition and have fallen short,” cheer coach Arrika Harakal said. “For our team to be recognized as a Top 3 contender is amazing. All girl left a strong impression in their division by making it to finals as a first-year competitor. We are over the moon on how well our teams finished this weekend.”

The three-day competition took place at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports facilty. Teams from across the country participated in the prestigious event at HP Fieldhouse. Cheerleaders were judged based on stunting, tumbling skills, crowd-leading abilities and overall performance.

For more information on the cheerleaders, follow the Rebels on Twitter, @OleMissCheer on Facebook at OleMissCheer and on Instagram at OleMissCheer.

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Hugh Freeze - The Best Coach Since Vaught

By Special Guest Columnist, Vampireb of Clarksdale, MS - Long-time Rebel and long-time message board crusader and advocate of Ole Miss on OleMissSpirit.com

T

here are many reasons that I make this statement. My hope is that as you read this article, this fact will become obvious to you too.

Hugh Freeze can evaluate talent.

He arrived as head coach late in 2011 and in a few short months assembled a coaching staff and signed his first Rebel recruiting class that ranked 47th in the nation. More importantly, that class included underrated talent who would become major contributors in the years to come. Included in that group were Channing Ward, John Youngblood, Robert Conyers, Cody Core, Jaylen Walton, Mike Hilton, Trae Elston and Bo Wallace.

Hugh Freeze can coach. His first season as head coach he produced a winning season with little talent and played elites like LSU and Bama toe to toe. The sports nation began to take notice of his skills that year.

In the following years, he would assemble a scary good offense–one that was not only good enough to win but was very capable of embarrassing good defenses. It was scary good.

He also produced scary good defenses–one that would lead the nation in scoring defense. He made Ole Miss and Landsharks household names nationally. Appearing in two NY6 bowl games in his first four years should tell you the man can coach.

Hugh Freeze can recruit. Vaught stated many times that 90% of winning is talent. The fact is that no team can consistently perform at an elite level without elite talent. 2013 was Freeze’s first opportunity to develop relationships with recruits.

His personality and Ole Miss are easy sells, but it was his spirituality which would really make the connections with players and their families [read the interviews and see]. He signed a Top 5 recruiting class that year and followed with two solid Top 20 classes and another Top 5 class in ‘16. That’s two Top 5 recruiting classes in his first four years. Freeze has proven he is one of the best recruiters in the country.

So Freeze has already proven that he is very good at evaluating talent, coaching up that talent, recruiting elite talent and not only winning but humiliating and striking great fear in the hearts of his opponents. This proven ability is the main reason; I believe that we are today the target of a prolonged NCAA investigation. More on this later.

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Then there was 2016. The Rebels made Fox Sports list of the 9 most disappointing teams. How do you enter the year as one of the most talented, respected and yes feared teams in the SEC, widely considered to have playoff potential, play FSU and Bama toe to toe, blow Ga out on national TV 45-14 and not end up with a winning season? The season mercifully ended after two lopsided losses to two of the lowliest football programs in the league. What happened?

There are some obvious reasons. The most glaring to me was the extraordinary number of injuries. I believe that with the outside possibility of Bama, no team could suffer the loss of 10 key contributors without a devastating effect on the season.

Another reason is that these injuries forced an unusually high number of 1st-year players into active duty. By season’s end, one national publication rated our Rebels the second youngest team in America per snaps. The ‘16 recruiting class was loaded with talent, but most were not ready for primetime–there is a learning curve in the SEC. There were just way too many freshmen and 1st-year JUCO’s on the field too often, especially on defense.

But there were more problems. You would expect that such a young team would become significantly better as the season progressed. Not so with this team. The fundamentals were never grasped on defense. This is about coaching players up. The most perplexing thing to me about 2016 is how two highly successful coordinators increasingly lost a grip on their job descriptions but especially the defense.

Technically 2016 was the perfect storm that no one remotely imagined. I have just checked it off as “just one of those years” as I’ve occasionally experienced over my almost half-century of cotton farming. You think you’re in great shape, invincible, flying high in April, shot down in May as the song goes. Freeze has again done the right thing and not let friendships get in the way of what is in our best interests and made some critical coaching changes at year’s end.

There is one more reason I call 2016 the perfect storm. It is the white elephant in the room whenever you discuss Ole Miss football for the last couple of years, the cloud. The cloud is the seemingly neverending NCAA investigation and the smear campaign conducted by obsessed rivals and sports writers who specialize in profiting in someone’s pain.

To be crystal clear, that smear campaign has been the false narrative that Hugh Freeze is a cheater, deceiver, and a hypocrite. Make no mistake, Hugh is and has been the target all along. The method is sling enough mud and something may stick. The goal is to get him out of the way.

There is a pretty common theory out there that all successful college football coaches are dirty. That’s what I have found a lot of fans think. They are wrong.

I strongly disagree.

I’ve never met a perfect man, no one even close.

But I have run across many men in every field of endeavor who are good men, men who you can count on not to cheat you or anybody else, honorable men who live honorable lives. I have known many lawyers, doctors, farmers, etc. and yes even college football coaches who are honorable men. They are all humble men who are convinced that there are more important things in life than making money or winning football games. They don’t cheat if for no other reason because they are wise enough to know how dumb it is to be a cheater.

Anyone who knows Hugh Freeze knows that his faith and his God are far more important to him than his job. He views his job as merely his platform.

Now there’s a guy that knows something about life.

He would rather lose than cheat. He has a long and impressive track record of not only talkin’ the talk but walkin’ the walk. I have heard countless testimonies of his character, integrity and outspoken faith since before his coaching days at Briarcrest High School in Memphis. I have not found any evidence at all of any dubious behavior anywhere he’s been since until of course when he became head coach at Ole Miss when he suddenly became a cheat, a criminal and a hypocrite [sarcasm].

Coach Freeze has been and continues to be a popular and effective advocate for the Gospel and Christian core values. Back in early February, he was the featured speaker at the “Men of Memphis Conference” held at Bellevue Baptist Church in the town that knows Hugh the best through the years.

That should tell you a lot about the man and how insane his enemies have become.

Yes, there are good and honorable men out there, men who don’t cheat and won’t cheat. I truly feel sorry for you if you’ve never met one. If you haven’t, I’d like to introduce you to Hugh Freeze, the best coach since Vaught and an honorable man.

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THE MUSTARD SEED ANTIQUE MALL: AN OXFORD DESTINATION SPOT FOR RETAIL

BY JACK CRISS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER - BAMSOUTH.COM PHOTOS BY REBEL NATION MAGAZINE™

When Kim and Jason Bumgardner bought The Mustard Seed Antique Mall in 2013 they did so as a business decision and as an investment in all four of their children’s futures: perhaps a store that could be kept in the family, with the ability to make a decent living and then passed down.

It is all that. But the popular retail destination in the heart of Oxford has also turned into an absolute passion for the couple. Especially Kim who oversees the day-to-day operations.

Named by the previous owner from the Bible verse, Matthew 17:20, The Mustard Seed Antique Mall, located on Jackson Avenue, consists of around 90 vendor booths with over 5,000 square feet of shopping space that covers a plethora of choices, all unique and one of a kind.

“That’s the reason we don’t have a website,” says Kim. “Everything sold here by our vendors is, literally, the only one of its kind. Why place something on a website that will probably be gone within a typical day? We’re not like a retail store where the shelves are packed with replacements of the same item.”

Kim is also adamant about saying what else The Mustard Seed is not like: a consignment store.

“We sell just about everything, mainly antiques or handmade items by our vendors, most of whom have been a year since the store originally opened in October 2001,” Kim says. “We don’t fit the definition of a typical ‘consignment store’ and never have.”

Kim was bitten by the retail/sales bug growing up by watching her mother work, a successful Mary Kay franchise owner.

“She set her own hours, it was not an 8 to 5 daily grind, and she was always there for me at any event or occasion during my childhood,” Kim recalls, “and I knew early on that I wanted that same kind of lifestyle.” To complete the circle, ironically, Kim’s mother-who retired in December--is coming to work at The Mustard Seed along with the

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other six employees already there.

Having just expanded the store by 5,000 square feet and purchasing the entire building that houses it (which includes other businesses), Kim says that there is actually room for possibly another 30 vendors in the very near future, many of whom are already starting to set up booths. Kim goes through applications on a regular basis and is very particular about who she chooses and what is offered.

“Most of our vendors are actually not Oxford-based,” Kim tells us. “They come from all over and, fortunately, there is very little turnover. The initial agreement we work out with them calls for the vendor to sign an upfront three-month stay. From there, it goes month-to-month,” she explains. “They are responsible for their own inventory and upkeep, and we handle the final sale upfront at the register.” She adds, “The vendors truly make what our store is. I would not be here if it weren’t for them.”

And what are the most popular items at

The Mustard Seed’s new location at 1901A Jackson Avenue West next to McDonald’s.

The Mustard Seed?

“I would have to say our hand-painted furniture is our biggest seller,” Kim says. “It’s especially exciting for me in August when all the new students start moving in at Ole Miss. They need to furnish their dorms or

apartments, and we can barely keep the furniture in stock. We have a huge sidewalk sale that month, and it is so much fun.”

While both Oxford natives, neither Kim nor Jason graduated from Ole Miss, attending the local community college instead. Still, the two are Rebel fanatics and are season ticket holders for all Ole Miss athletic teams.

“The fact that Ole Miss is such a great and well-respected university and that Oxford has become one of the destination sites in the South no doubt keeps us going strong,” Kim acknowledges.

Open from 10 a.m. to 6 in the evening,

Kim says The Mustard Seed lends itself to browsing, naturally, and almost anything, from the popular furniture to baby gifts and jewelry, can be found within. Even the usually-reticent male shopper is becoming more noticeable in the store.

“We’re planning some special events and sales for men only,” Kim reveals, “especially as we get closer to what I’m calling our ‘Grand Re-Opening’ coming up in April during the ‘Red Blue’ weekend.” When pushed for more details, Kim wouldn’t get specific--she would only say the men would be just as happy as their wives are who come in to shop.

“The Mustard Seed offers an experience,” Kim summarizes. “It’s locally-owned by Oxford residents, and someone could spend hours just going through what our vendors offer. It’s not an in-and-out kind of thing; it’s a linger, browse and purchase type of experience. And it’s fun, too! For our customers and us.”

For now, Kim says the future of The Mustard Seed Antique Mall is to just keep on doing what they’re doing: offering items for sale to be found nowhere else and delivering the kind of customer experience that brings people from all over the South for a “day trip” spree. Franchising may be a possibility down the road, Kim predicts, but not in the immediate future.

It’s really a case of “Why mess with a good thing?” And it’s clear that Kim and Jason have a really good thing going on with one of Oxford’s best retail destinations, The Mustard Seed Antique Store.

What is #REBELNATION1st?

Join Rebel Nation Magazine and Take Part in the #RebelNation1st Campaign Campaign promotes the supporting of small businesses Owned & Operated by Alums and supporters of the University, its athletics teams, and all of Rebel Nation Pevey Publishing, based out of Brandon, MS, announced on January 12 that the company is starting an online and print campaign through its Rebel Nation Magazine called “Rebel Nation 1st” and will use the #RebelNation1st hashtag with its social media. With this campaign, Rebel Nation Magazine is asking all of its readers and supporters, and all Ole Miss fans, to shop and use the services of Rebel small business owners, both alums, and fans.

Rebel Nation Magazine publisher Greg Pevey explains, “The idea is pretty similar to what most people do already during the holiday season when there is a national ‘small

business day’ to shop for gifts. Similarly, we are asking all of Rebel Nation to support those small, privately-owned businesses that support the University, its athletic teams and all of the Rebel organizations throughout the year.”

Pevey notes that “It’s tough enough for some of these small business owners to compete with the larger stores down the street or e-commerce businesses. With this campaign, we are promoting a way to let fans know that these businesses and service providers need and value their support. Which, in return, is allowing them to continue to support the University. That can, and will, benefit everyone throughout ‘Rebel Nation.’”

Beginning with the March/April 2017 issue of Rebel Nation Magazine, you’ll begin to see a badge placed on the ads of businesses that proudly support Ole Miss or businesses that are owned and operated by alums or fans and will also begin a “Rebel Nation 1st

#REBELNATION1st Business Spotlight.”

“We urge our readers to take this movement very seriously and support it with their hearts--and pocketbooks,” Pevey says. “I have no doubt that, with as many Rebel fans out there, the participating businesses will see huge increases and much good will be done for our Ole Miss community.”

Rebel Nation Magazine is published bi-monthly and is available in over 350 grocery, bookstore, and retail locations all across Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas and to subscribers all across the country. To get your business involved with the “Rebel Nation F1rst” (#RebelNationFirst hashtag) campaign and Rebel Nation Magazine, call Greg Pevey at 601-503-7205 or email greg@rebelnationmagazine.com.

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 17

FANFARE +

ROBIN CARLIN - Jackson, MS native, Ole Miss Class of 2000, Sports Broadcast Personality Denver Post TV - Denver, CO. Although she worked in the finance industry for over five years, sports were always her true passion. In 2010, Carlin pursued a career in sports journalism. In the years that followed, the local sports scene presented a wide variety of opportunities for Ms. Carlin, including the Denver Outlaws, Mile High Sports, the Denver Post, SB Nation Radio, Yahoo Sports Radio, KOA News Radio, ESPN Radio and others. Carlin has appeared in commercials for Porsche and Taco Bell and featured in radio ads for Core Power Yoga, Ovation Cell Therapy, Hollywood Theaters and Gebhardt BMW. She has also emceed numerous award and charity events throughout Colorado.

1.

REBELNATION: Fellow Mississippian Robin Roberts was a huge influence in your decision to get into playing sports and direct you into the sports media/ broadcasting field as a career? What do you feel is so special about Robin to pick her as a role model? Have you had the opportunity to meet her in person?

CARLIN: My older brother, Jonathan, is probably more responsible for my early participation in sports. He was a gifted athlete - strong, fast, shifty - and winning seemed to come a lot easier for him than it did me. I always had to work to better my craft. I had lots of idols growing up – Michael Jordan, Reggie and Cheryl Miller, Florence Joyner - but Robin was special because she was from Mississippi. And we embraced her as one of our own. As a high school and college basketball player athlete, she was just dominant - she could light up the scoreboard and rebound. But later in life, I gained a huge appreciation for her as a sports broadcaster.

Not only was she a minority woman that had truly made it from The South, but she was outstanding at her job. She was smart, polished, charming, enthusiastic and she al18 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

culture and community that surrounds SEC programs. It’s part of our fabric – it’s tradition that’s passed down from generation to generation.

That’s not to say I don’t love college football everywhere, but there’s just something remarkable about SEC football and its fans.

On the set of Denver Post Television (DPTV)

ways had a commanding presence about her.

I haven’t met her in person, but I hope our paths will cross one day.

2.

RN: How is covering the Univ. Of Colorado different than Ole Miss? How would you compare college sports (football in particular) in the PAC-12 (West Coast) and the SEC (South)?

RC: The 2016 season was a magical one for the University of Colorado, who finished the regular season 10th in the nation. During my time in Colorado, the Buffs’ football program had never been good. In fact, it had been nine years since they had even been to a bowl game. Seeing that kind of a turnaround, from a team that had almost been written off, was pretty special. At the same time, it was a disappointing year for the Rebels. So, it was nice to have one of my alma maters in the mix of it. But, generally speaking, there’s nothing quite like football in The South.

There’s something extraordinary about the

Interviewing Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders

RN: You’ve lived in several different places such as Austin, Nashville, Denver and covered everything from college to professional sports? What are some of your favorite moments during your career in Sports Broadcasting. What would you consider some of your favorite/memorable interviews?

3.

RC: Super Bowl 50 is hands down my favorite memory. Watching Peyton Manning embrace with his family postgame outside of the locker room after the roller coaster year he had just been through was pretty touching. Then finding out a few weeks later that I’d been privy to witnessing the last game of one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play added another layer to my experience. Terrell Davis was one of my favorite interviews.

He answered some tough questions and was very generous with his time. He has an energy about him that’s captivating. Here’s a guy that could have been bitter about the way his career ended (and his continuously being passed over for the NFL Hall of Fame) but he’s not bitter at all. Jason Giambi is also high on my list of memorable interviews be-

5.

RN: Both Ole Miss and CU have to compete with some pretty large schools in their conferences like USC, Washington, Alabama, and LSU for example.

Do you think schools like Ole Miss and Colorado have the means to compete for Conference and National Championships in football?

RC: I think that schools like Ole Miss and Colorado absolutely have the opportunity to compete for national championships – they just might not be able to do it every year.

College football is made up of “have’s” and “have nots”, and a whole lot of schools in between. Both schools have resources, but they’re probably not among the upper echelon of the “have’s”. They’re not quite on the same level as Oregon or Alabama or even Texas.

Spokesperson for the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

6.

RN: Mississippi doesn’t have the professional teams as Denver does, how is covering pro sports (Rockies, Nuggets, Bronco’s, Avalanche) compare to the college games?

On location at Super Bowl 50

Colorado Rockie Jason Giambi

4.

cause he had me laughing the whole time.

RN: As far as Ole Miss goes, you may not get to see them as much out West with your busy schedule. Did you get the chance to follow the Rebels much this past season and what do you think of the changes Coach Freeze has done with his staff hiring almost a completely new staff?

RC: This past season was Hugh Freeze’s first losing season at Ole Miss, so I think it’s fair

Broncos LB Brandon Marshall

to evaluate everything after going 5-7 and finishing seventh in the SEC West. I like the fact that Coach Freeze wasn’t about to accept what he considered a poor result, even in the country’s best conference. To be good in the SEC, that’s the mentality a coach must have.

Nobody ever wants to see a coach – head or assistant – lose their job, but at the same time, anyone in that profession understands that it’s a results-oriented business. If you’re an Ole Miss alumni or fan, you’ve got to like the fact that your head coach is constantly looking for ways to get better

RC: There’s no question that when covering pro sports, it’s a business – where you’re not gonna find players who are excited about being interviewed. For college athletes, it’s still fun to them to be interviewed. They’re generous with their time, they’re enthusiastic, they’re unrehearsed. I’m not saying all pro athletes aren’t generous with their time or friendly, but let’s just put it this way - I’ve never had a college athlete turn me down for an interview.

XP

XtraPoint: You are also the spokesperson for the MS Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson and consider that as the proudest moment in your career so far.

How did you get involved with them and what do get to do for the museum in this role? Is it the fact that you get to represent so many great athletes our state has produced?

RC: I got a message from a producer, who was an acquaintance of mine growing up in Jackson, (MS) and he asked me if I was interested in being the host for the relaunch.

When he sent me the script, and I found out Robin Roberts was the original host 20 years ago, it was a no-brainer for me to hop on a plane. It was an honor to represent not only my home state but the many great athletes from it.

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 19

REBEL HOOPS

THIS GUY IS

LEGIT!

BY PARRISH ALFORD CONTRIBUTING WRITER - DAILY JOURNAL

Follow Parrish Alford on Twitter @ParrishAlford

20 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

T

ERENCE DAVIS SAW A T E A M M AT E IN TROUBLE and knew he had to help. At least, he wanted to help.

Sometimes a rush to assistance isn’t the best decision, so Ole Miss training staff held back Davis when he tried to get near teammate Rasheed Brooks.

Brooks was on his back, his body shaking and contorting from the seizure that grasped him in the early minutes of the second half against Tennessee on Jan. 17.

Many on the Ole Miss bench, including coach Andy Kennedy, didn’t immediately know what was going on, but Davis did.

Davis had real fears that Brooks would swallow his tongue and die and was willing

REBEL SOPHOMORE GUARD TERENCE DAVIS HAS NOT ONLY BECOME A STAR FOR THE REBELS BUT FOR THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE to put a hand in Brooks’ mouth, risking a bite and loss of a finger to keep that from happening.

“I believe I was the only person who had been in a situation such as that. I knew what was going on, because my sister when she was younger, used to have seizures. I was like, ‘Get his tongue, get his tongue.’ They were telling me, ‘Get back, get back.’ I was like, ‘I’m not leaving him,’ but they pulled me back. It was crazy.”

Brooks was in the game and was in the process of subbing out when time was called with 17 minutes, 21 seconds to play.

Brooks knew something wasn’t right – He didn’t know exactly what – as he spoke with Davis when the two were walking off the floor.

“Before we went to the huddle he was like, ‘Bro, I’m cramping, I’m cramping.’ I told him, ‘Bro, you got to drink, you got to drink. When we went to the huddle coach said something to Sheed and then turned his back, and all you could see was Sheed start twitching or whatever. He fell on the ground, and I was like, ‘Oh, my God!’” It was an alarming time for everyone.

“It was the scariest thing I’ve seen in my career,” Kennedy said.

The Pavilion quieted, and both teams gathered in prayer for Brooks.

Brooks was strapped to a stretcher and was mostly unconscious as he was wheeled out of The Pavilion. He was more alert in the ambulance on the way to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford and was feeling well enough to be visited by teammates later in the evening.

Photo by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine™

REBEL NATION MAGAZINE™ MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 21

TERENCE DAVIS, II Brooks has subsequently passed a myriad of tests and has been cleared to return to the team. The seizure is believed to have been brought on by some level of dehydration.

The Rebels, having led by 10 points in the first half, were five points down at the timeout. Bewildered, they would fall behind by 13 points with 15 minutes to play before taking control of the game and going on to win 80-69.

It was their second SEC win and first conference win this season at The Pavilion.

“K.G. (Marcanvis Hymon) got a put-back, and everything just started clicking. We started playing,” said Davis, a sophomore from Southaven.

Brooks’ absence left the Rebels with just eight scholarship players as leading scorer Deandre Burnett was already out with a high ankle sprain, and freshman center Nate Morris had been dismissed days before.

Davis was a huge part in the Tennessee comeback, his 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, a launching point for what would become SEC player of the week status from the league office.

That momentum carried into Columbia, Missouri, where Burnett returned, and Ole Miss earned a 75-71 road win.

Ole Miss would lose the rematch at Tennessee 75-66 on Feb. 8. Collectively, the Rebels did not hit the big shots they did in the first game, though Davis was strong again.

He was 2-for-5 from 3-point range and scored 14 points as he played only 20 minutes because of foul trouble.

He remembers the Brooks incident as indirectly providing a spark to the season.

“It’s sad to say, but it’s kind of like the incident with Rasheed gave this team life and rejuvenated us. It shouldn’t be that way, but sometimes the grind can get you. It was kind of getting to us. That woke us up. We’re just happy he’s back and we want to play hard for him the rest of the season,” Burnett said.

Kennedy said in his postgame presser following the Tennessee win that he’d worked for a month to get this group to be more team-oriented than he was seeing on the floor.

He said then that the final 15 minutes against the Vols were the most “selfless” he’d seen from the Rebels.

Indeed, Ole Miss was sharing the basketball better, including Davis, a wing player who’s gift of athleticism makes him think score more than pass.

Davis averaged four assists in the wins over Tennessee and Missouri, a figure that would have him among the SEC leaders if he kept that pace for the entire season.

Davis -- rated the No. 132 player when he 22 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

>>10.7

Davis’ 10.7-points per game increase to his scoring average is largest of any returning player in the conference.

Photo by Angie Ledbetter, Rebel Nation Magazine™

capped his high school career as a four-year starter at Southaven -- played sparingly as an Ole Miss freshman. He showed his trademark energy in his 6.6 minutes per game but didn’t always show that he knew where to be on the floor or how to play within himself.

Those times when excitement overcomes

Photo by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine™

Photo by Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics

him haven’t completely vanished but are much fewer. There was the time when he botched a 360-degree dunk attempt against Memphis when a simple lay-in would have given the Rebels a bucket during a key stretch.

That created a lot of attention for Davis, not in a good way, but it seems like ages ago.

Coaches often say players make their most improvement moving from their first season to their second season. No player in the SEC has made a bigger splash in that transition than Davis. His 10.7-points per game increase to his scoring average is largest of any returning player in the conference.

“I’m just so proud of him,” Kennedy said.

“He’s competing at a really high level. He’s still a work in progress, but things have changed.”

They’ve changed so much that Davis played a career-high 39 minutes at Missouri.

He set a positive tone for the Rebels by knocking down 3-point shots early in the game. That’s not the strongest aspect of Da-

vis’ play, but it got Ole Miss off to a fast start on the road.

The transformation of Davis comes with increased responsibility.

No longer is a big game from Davis on any random night simply considered a bonus for Ole Miss. It’s something the Rebels have to have.

As the role changed for New Mexico transfer Cullen Neal to come off the bench, Davis emerged as the best candidate for a third scorer behind Sebastian Saiz and Burnett. Sometimes Davis is the first or second scorer.

Given the make-up of his team, Kennedy estimates Ole Miss needs to score in the mid-70s to give itself a chance to win on most nights.

Scoring punch from Davis is a must.

“He’s such an athletic guy, and we need him to make athletic plays,” Kennedy said.

“We need him to be involved. He’s gone from a guy who didn’t play at all (last year) to a guy who’s in the rotation now to a guy who’s paramount. If you play well we have a chance to win. If you don’t play well, it’s probably not going to look good for the Rebels that day.

That’s a big transformation in a pretty short period of time.”

The role change is not lost on Davis. He doesn’t shy away from added responsibility,

just like he didn’t shy away from helping a teammate in harm’s way – even when it meant endangering himself.

“He’s embraced it. Now he’s got to grow in that role,” Kennedy said.

For Davis, that means being at the top of his game for longer stretches of time. He didn’t dominate the first half against Tennessee or the second against Missouri. He has the ability to score a lot of points quickly as shown when the Rebels’ defense against the Vols created transition opportunities for Davis in the open floor.

Kennedy just wants to see Davis’ imprint more often throughout 40 minutes.

“His spurts are getting longer. I think his confidence is at a much higher level, but it all starts with concentration. He’s starting to focus for longer periods of time, which is something we need from him.”

Kennedy has become more comfortable with drawing plays for Davis.

“We run action for him. He’s pretty good on pin-down stuff, 15- and 16-feet, rising up and making shots. He’s the best we have on this team at finishing in the open floor. He can defend and rebound. I want him to get more active on the offensive glass because I think he’s a tough guy to keep off the glass.

He’s so athletic, and slashing from the perimeter it’s just difficult to keep him away.”

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 23

rebelNATION

Follow Collin Brister on Twitter @collinbrister

FLASHBACK: 2012

The Start of the Journey: Year 1 Under hugh Freeze The 2012 Rebels beat the odds and set the stage for future success in Oxford

BY COLLIN BRISTER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER COLUMBUS DISPATCH / PHOTOS BY BOBBY MCDUFFIE

N

OBODY AT OLE MISS EXPECTED the 2016 football team to go 5-7. Everyone thought that they’d build off a Sugar Bowl win, and likely end up in a bowl game somewhere in Florida. That was the thought. That was the mindset.

That didn’t happen. The Rebels went 5-7 and weren’t competitive with Vanderbilt and Mississippi State to end the season. The program is as low as it has ever been under Hugh Freeze, but the program as a whole is better off than it has been in an inordinate amount of time.

The 2011 season at its best was a disaster, and at its worst was an abomination.

Ole Miss won two games that year, and they were lucky. Fresno State had Ole Miss on the ropes, and Southern Illinois took the Rebels into the fourth quarter. Alabama ran Ole Miss off their own field, and LSU took knees with six minutes left so to not score again.

That was Ole Miss football. That’s what they were. They were a team that at the end of the 2011 season had lost 14 straight SEC football games. They were a team that couldn’t stay competitive with Louisiana Tech. Putting it mildly, they were a train wreck.

“That year was so hard,” former Ole Miss defensive end C.J. Johnson said. “Some of us 24 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

“That year was so hard,” former Ole Miss defensive end C.J. Johnson said. “Some of us thought about transferring, but Coach (Houston) Nutt told us to give the new guy a chance. We did, and we all liked Coach Freeze and decided to stay.”

REBEL NATION

FLASHBACK: 2012 “We didn’t know what we were looking at when Coach Freeze came to town,” Ole Miss running backs coach Derrick Nix said. “We knew that we had some young talent, but we weren’t sure if we knew how to win yet.”

thought about transferring, but Coach (Houston) Nutt told us to give the new guy a chance.

We did, and we all liked Coach Freeze and decided to stay.”

They fired Houston Nutt and

paid him six million dollars to go away, and then they hired the first-year head coach from Arkansas State, Hugh Freeze.

Freeze’s hire had criticism, sure. He had only coached at

the FBS level for one year, and the only other head coaching position he had been offered, supposedly, was Memphis.

Ole Miss wasn’t going to be good in 2012, and everyone that followed them knew that. They knew that it was going to be extremely hard to finish the year with a winning record. Most people wanted them just to play hard. Most people just wanted something to root for. Most people just wanted them to show up.

“We didn’t know what we were looking at when Coach Freeze came to town,” Ole Miss running backs coach Derrick Nix said. “We knew that we had some young talent, but we weren’t sure if we knew how to win yet.”

They played Central Arkansas in Hugh Freeze’s first game. Central Arkansas was running Ole Miss off the field come halftime.

There wasn’t a person in the stadium that wasn’t thinking that it was going to be an unmitigated disaster. Then they came back. Then they won. They

played UTEP the next week, and they ran the Miners off the field.

They won.

Then Texas came to town, and so did somewhere around 1 million more people. Ole Miss was promptly run off the football field quickly and immediately.

They lost by 35 that night, and it wasn’t that close. Ole Miss fans, at that point, needed a reminder of where the program was, and they got it cloudy.

After beating Tulane and falling in a hard-fought game at Alabama, they came home to play eventual Heisman-trophy winner Johny Manziel. They had Manziel, and the Aggies beat until they didn’t. They blew it.

They gave up a 98-yard touchdown drive, and Bo Wallace threw a costly interception.

They lost, but for the first time in a while, Ole Miss fans had a reason to believe. The past few years when they had lost, the game was over by the third quarter. It wasn’t this time. They were in it.

They snapped that SEC losing streak the next week when Auburn came to town. Jeff Scott had an acrobatic touchdown run, and Mike Marry intercepted an Auburn pass to put the game away. The losing streak that had lingered over that program for years was gone. They weren’t back, but for that day and that moment, it felt like they were.

“That Auburn game just changed the mindset of everyone on the team,” Johnson said.

“We knew that we were good MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 25

“That Auburn game just changed the mindset of everyone on the team,” Johnson said. “We knew that we were good enough but when we got that first win, it was just a relief, and it was like the pressure had jumped off our shoulders, and that now we could go out and win more.” enough but when we got that first win, it was just a relief, and it was like the pressure had jumped off our shoulders, and that now we could go out and win more.”

They went to Arkansas the next week, who wasn’t good but was likely better than Ole Miss. It didn’t matter. Ole Miss wanted it more, and even after they blew a second-half lead, Bo Wallace engineered one of the better drives of his career, and the Rebels knocked home a game-winning field goal to give them a second consecutive win in the SEC and put them one game away from bowl eligibility.

Then they lost to Georgia. Then they lost to Vanderbilt. Then they lost to LSU, and Ole Miss was still a win away from bowl

26 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

eligibility with Mississippi State coming to town for the Egg Bowl. Ole Miss had to win that game. The program couldn’t handle losing four straight Egg Bowls. It probably wouldn’t recover.

Ole Miss was sloppy early, turning the football over three times in the first half.

They were tied at 17 going into the locker room for halftime. They found their footing in the second half and ran Mississippi State back to Starkville as they won 41-24. Ole Miss was going bowling, and it was a program that needed that more than anything.

They played Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compas Bowl in Birmingham. It was the most meaningless bowl game of the SEC slate, but for Rebel fans, it was manna from

REBEL NATION

FLASHBACK: 2012 Heaven. Ole Miss took 40,000 fans to Birmingham that day to see the Rebels knock off Pittsburgh. They wanted to see the reward that the kids that weren’t supposed to win many games reaped because they did win games, they won far more than most people expected.

Ole Miss parlayed that success into the best signing class that the school had ever seen, a class that likely wasn’t going to happen if the Rebels didn’t show marked improvement during the 2012 football season.

They did just that. They not only showed improvement, they not only played hard, but they also won, and they won at a level that not many expected them to.

Ole Miss has had better years since, and likely will have better years in the future than they had in 2012, but that team and that success brought upon the change to a culture of the program that will likely be felt for years to come.

TM

AND HERE, WE CARE. Together, we can change the way we prevent and treat disease. We can help doctors care for more Mississippians. We can educate the caregivers we’ll all need tomorrow, today.

We can do it. We are doing it. Please join us and help make a healthier Mississippi.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 - 27

rebelNATION

ON THE C O V E R

Photo by Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics

28 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

Follow Parrish Alford on Twitter @parrishalford

HE STILL HAS TO EARN IT Even after an amazing “Manning-esque” performance at Texas A&M in 2016, Shea Patterson will still have to compete to keep his job in 2017

BY PA R R I S H A L F O R D CONTRIBUTING WRITER - DAILY JOURNAL PHOTOS BY JOSH McCOY AND GREG PEVEY ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT BRISTOW

T

HE MOST SURPRISED OLE MISS PERSON ON NATIONAL SIGNING DAY may very have been Shea Patterson.

Some may have been pleasantly surprised on that day when the Ole Miss class ranking jumped 23 spots from No. 53 on the 247Sports composite list to No. 30.

Patterson was more likely surprised to find he was still competing for the starting quarterback job.

There are two three-star signees in the 2017 class in junior college transfer Jordan Ta’amu and high school recruit Alex Faniel.

There’s even talk of moving athletic rising sophomore Jason Pellerin – the guy Patterson beat for the starting job after Chad Kelly was injured last November – to another position.

And Patterson’s not the clear starter?

Just one year ago many anointed Patterson as the Ole Miss quarterback of the future. He was the No. 1-rated quarterback in the 2016 recruiting class, the No. 4-rated overall prospect.

Star brightness gave the Ole Miss 2016 class an electric look. It had two five-stars and 11 four-stars as selected by 247Sports.

Patterson was the No. 4 overall prospect, and he wasn’t even the highest-rated player in Ole Miss class. That was offensive tackle Greg Little, who was ranked third.

It wasn’t hard to watch the video of Patterson’s quick release, to see his footwork, to read the analysis of recruiting media and anoint him as the man.

The hype only grew stronger after Kelly’s injury when in dramatic fashion the redshirt was pulled off Patterson, and he responded by passing for 300-plus yards and a couple of touchdowns to lead Ole Miss past Texas A&M at raucous Kyle Field.

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 29

ON THE C O V E R

Asked on signing day why a junior college quarterback with only two years to play would sign with a team that had an entrenched sophomore starter Freeze said that the sophomore really isn’t entrenched.

What did Freeze tell Ta’amu to convince him to choose Ole Miss?

“Quarterbacks, you’re one play away from playing. You get an opportunity to come and play in the Southeastern Conference and compete. We’re going to compete for the starting job, even though we all feel like Shea Patterson is the guy.”

What we have here are theatrics.

Shea Patterson earned the starting job after Kelly’s injury. He strengthened his hold on it against Texas A&M and didn’t lose it against Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, although those were two rather dismal offensive performances with just 37 combined points and three turnovers.

The last two games were not the results Ole Miss needs from its starting quarterback.

The most disappointing thing about the last two games, however, was the lack of chemistry between Patterson and a deep and talented group of receivers.

The number of dropped passes in the last two games – a 3817 loss at Vanderbilt and a humbling 55-20 loss to Mississippi State – were alarming.

Freeze would say later that he is not concerned by that season-ending trend, that he believes the hundreds of reps and the time that Patterson and the receivers will spend together will cure the drops.

You would like to have seen Patterson emerge from his three-game season with better than a 54.5 completion perPhoto by GREG PEVEY, REBEL NATION MAGAZINE™

30 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

centage. In the Freeze offense, you’d really like to see that up around the lower- to mid-60s.

That’s more of the elite figure you expect from Patterson.

Perhaps the expectations are too high, the early praise too much. It’s too early to say that. Patterson has done nothing to suggest the buzz about him was not deserved. With fewer drops at season’s end – Freeze counted at least ten against Vanderbilt – the completion percentage would be much higher.

Receivers aren’t going to catch every ball, but with the skill level that is amassed at Ole Miss right now, they should catch most.

The issue, it appears, was the “catchability” of Patterson’s ball compared to Kelly’s. There was some difference, and receivers were much more used to Kelly. Again, time is expected to heal those wounds.

As far as turnovers, Patterson had three interceptions in three games, two of them in the finale against Mississippi State that could have been avoided with a little help.

One Patterson pass was underthrown to Quincy Adeboyejo in the end zone, allowing MSU safety Jamal Pe-

ON THE C O V E R ters to turn and make a play. Adeoboyejo, though, did not turn and adjust, didn’t fight for the ball and try to prevent the interception.

Later in the game’s final few minutes a screen pass to running back Akeem Judd hit Judd in the hands. He bobbled it, juggled it and kept it in play long enough to be picked and returned for a touchdown.

Plays like that are a part of football but need to be considered in trying to gauge Patterson’s fitness moving forward.

Had there been fewer drops and one interception as opposed to three his stat line would look a lot different going into his sophomore year.

As far as his looming competition, most coaches aren’t going to stand before media on signing day and throw water on new recruits by telling them they have no chance to get on the field.

That’s especially true with a new offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, just two of the five positions Freeze has had to fill in the off-season.

In some respects, the competitive field will be level in the spring as Patterson and Ta’amu will both be seeing the offensive system of Phil Longo for the first time. Faniel will arrive in the summer.

“Phil hasn’t seen any of those guys,” Freeze said. “They’ll go out and compete.”

Freeze is hopeful that competition will play out in such a manner that he feels confident in moving Pellerin to another spot, possibly tight end.

“Part of the thinking process here is Jason Pellerin and where does he fit in,” Freeze said. “Is he the next Evan Engram? If there’s a backup or two, you can do that with him. Or is he the best guy to play quarterback?

Or is it a combination.”

All the bases are covered in that statement.

The truth is there’s always competition.

Longo hasn’t been in a full-pad practice with Patterson, but he’s had Photos by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine™ plenty of time to break down video on his presumed starter and plenty of time to hear Freeze talk about the things Patterson did well and did not as well in three games.

That’s an advantage for Patterson, who if his play last season is an indication – and it likely is – will continue to create his own advantages when practice opportunities arrive.

Ta’amu and Faniel will get their reps.

Throws will be charted, and statistics will be evaluated.

If Jordan Ta’amu, a 6-2, 200-pound dual threat guy completes 75 percent and throws no interceptions through 15 spring practices and plays just as flawless in August camp then he’ll give Freeze a real reason to pause and take a second look.

Pellerin and Faniel will get reps too, but if Freeze is giving real thought to putting Pellerin someplace else, it seems like spring would be a good time to make that move.

What Freeze would like to see for his quarterbacks in the months is for Patterson to build on the legend he began at Texas A&M, for his timing and chemistry with receivers to take a big step forward, for Ta’amu to show an early competency level and for Faniel to follow that path as well.

The idea of Pellerin (6-4, 230) as a threat in the passing game as a tight end of some sort of H-back is intriguing.

If Freeze can gain confidence in his newcomers, he can have a more staggered pecking order behind Patterson with an upperclassman who’s cut his teeth, to some degree, two years out of high school and a true freshman who’s embarking on his journey.

“We signed the two quarterbacks to get us spread out and back to the right format in the quarterback room – the freshman, sophomore, junior, senior-type deal,” Freeze said.

“Now we have four guys on scholarship after playing last year with three.”

So, Patterson may have been surprised on Signing Day, but he can relax.

Yes, there will be competition, but Ole Miss signed an elite talent at the position in 2016. It will be difficult – not impossible – for one of the newcomers to latch on to the job if Patterson puts in the work on and off the field that is expected of starting quarterbacks in the SEC. “Those guys will go out and compete this spring,” Freeze said. “I didn’t want to sign two freshmen. I wanted to sign a JUCO guy and a freshman to battle it out in the spring and figure out who the one, two and three guys are. And to figure out where Jason fits in that too.

“Jason needs to be on the field somewhere.”

- RN

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 31

rebelFOOTBALL

Follow John Davis on Twitter @oxfordparkcomjd

A NEW ERA STARTS NOW WITH NEW STAFF IN PLACE, HUGH FREEZE IS READY TO PUT 2016 IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR B Y J O H N D AV I S CONTRIBUTING WRITER OXFORD CITIZEN

Photo by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine

H

UGH FREEZE HAS MORE QUESTIONS TO ANSWER than he would like heading into the start of spring practice. Yes, Shea Patterson will be the starter at quarterback, but who will back him up? Who will snap Patterson the ball from center?

Who will be the starters along the offensive line? And who will be the running back to take the bulk of the carries, if that’s even the case?

On defense, the Rebels have to figure out a way to get better. Everywhere.

The defensive line does have its biggest playmaker back in Marquis Haynes, butMAGAZINE™ who PHOTO BY GREG PEVEY, REBEL NATION

MCGRIFF

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LONGO

I AM AN OLE MISS REBEL! 2016 LEFT A BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTH OF DEFENSIVE END

MARQUIS HAYNES, SO MUCH

MARQUIS HAYNES

THAT HE CONTEMPLATED ON LEAVING EARLY AND ENTERING THE NFL DRAFT. HIS DECISION TO RETURN FOR HIS SENIOR YEAR, MAY HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST RECRUITING COUP FOR COACH HUGH FREEZE THIS OFF-SEASON.

Photo by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine

On defense, the Rebels have to figure out a way to get better. Everywhere. The defensive line does have its biggest playmaker back in Marquis Haynes, but who will complement him on the other side? will complement him on the other side?

The linebackers have their work cut out for themselves while the defensive backs need to find a leader to count on.

And a new staff, which features two new coordinators in Wesley McGriff and Phil Longo, have to start the bonding process.

There is a lot to accomplish and only 15 practices for the Rebels to do it in.

QUARTERBACK Patterson dazzled in his first start at Texas A&M. It was the last game the Rebels won in 2016. The former No. 1 quarterback signee has all the tools to be a fantastic player in the SEC. But he’s going to need help this coming season if he’s going to perform

at a consistent level. Teams will likely blitz him and try to confuse him in the back end.

Without a better running game, Patterson will have to improvise more than Freeze wants him to. Turnovers hurt the Rebels last season in critical moments. Turnovers have to be avoided this coming season, especially with the defense on the mend.

Jason Pellerin heads into the spring as the No. 2 quarterback, but Freeze said if he’s not the backup, he will be on the field somewhere. There is a chance Pellerin factors in at tight end this coming season.

RUNNING BACK Jordan Wilkins returns to the lineup for his senior season. That’s the good news.

The unknown is can he be a back that carries the ball 20 to 25 times a game? Wilkins has yet to garner 1,000 yards in his career let alone a single season. Ole Miss needs a more reliable running game, especially in the red zone. That’s the whole reason Longo was brought to Oxford by Freeze. Longo’s offense is supposed to fix what has been a sore spot for the Rebels, tough runs on short yardage situations. And runs in and around the goal line. More tough runs, more touchdowns. If that turns out to be the case this year, then the Rebels should be on their way to having a successful 2017.

Eugene Brazley returns for his senior season. He has the most experience behind Wilkins. Eric Swinney is back from the injury he suffered in the 2016 season opener against Florida State. How healthy he is for spring ball remains to be seen. A player to look out for is sophomore D’Vaughn Pennamon.

He showed flashes last season, and MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 33

2017 SPRING preview AFTER BULLDOZING HIS WAY THROUGH THE MISS. STATE DEFENSE IN THE 2015 EGG BOWL, BIG THINGS WERE EXPECTED FROM RUNNING BACK

JORDAN WILKINS, UNTIL

JORDAN WILKINS Photo by Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics

his size (223 lbs.) would allow for some of those rough, tough runs to come a little easier.

OFFENSIVE LINE Robert Conyers has graduated which means the Rebels need a new center. Sean Rawlings has experience there, so it’s very probable that he ends up being the starter there. Eli Johnson redshirted last season and has been doing everything possible to be the one to fill that spot, so there may be a battle there.

There are a number of linemen who have seen action over the past two years, and a handful of others who have been waiting their turn. Rod Taylor, a senior now, is back along with Greg Little, who started at left tackle as a freshman. Juniors Javon Patterson and Jordan Sims are back at guard, while Daronte Bouldin has been on campus for five seasons and could provide some help. Alex Givens saw significant playing time last season and is another player who has shown some good things during his time on the field. They will be pushed for playing time by the likes of Bryce Mathews, Royce Newman, Jack DeFoor and Chandler Tuitt.

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END Nowhere is Ole Miss deeper than at the skill positions, wide receiver and tight end. Evan Engram, a first-team All-American last year, is gone and his leadership will be sorely missed. Still, the Rebels have options at tight end starting with Octavious Cooley, who enters the Spring up near 250 pounds. Jacob Mathis is another one to keep an eye on at the position and don’t forget the possibility of Jason Pellerin moving there at some point. He could become a dark horse contender at Engram’s old spot.

The Rebels have several different playmakers on the outside.

D.K. Metcalf caught two touchdown passes before going down with 34 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

A CLERICAL ERROR WITH HIS COURSE STUDIES REQUIRED HIM TO SIT OUT THE ENTIRE 2016 SEASON. an injury in the second game of the season. He is full go for the spring. A.J. Brown returns after a solid freshman season in which he made 29 catches while playing injured for most of the season. Van Jefferson is also back after catching 49 passes for 543 yards a year ago. Two other veterans in the mix are Markell Pack and DeMarkus Lodge. More is expected from them as they enter their junior and senior seasons, respectively. The key for the receivers is to find a leader and then build from there. Who will step up?

DEFENSE The Rebels need to be better everywhere on this side of the ball.

Breeland Speaks has to be better than what he was in 2016. Haynes is the only returner on the line that consistently made plays up front.

He finished the 2016 season with 53 tackles and seven sacks. He also forced three fumbles. Speaks, meanwhile, finished with just 28 tackles and one sack. Ole Miss has to improve up the middle, which includes getting a better pass rush against quarterbacks from the inside to help Haynes on the outside. Benito Jones had a great freshman year, and more is expected from him in 2017. He is penciled in as a starter at tackle heading into the spring.

The addition of JUCO signee Markel Winters to the end spot should be a big upgrade. He is a fierce pass rusher, and he should factor into the rotation from the beginning. Fadol Brown being healthy is also a big plus for the Rebels. His ability showed up late in the year when he was finally able to get clear of his foot injury.

LINEBACKER The Rebels signed six players that could see action at this position.

DeMarquis Gates, who led the Rebels in tackles last year with 79, is back for his senior season. After that, the most accomplished linebackers heading into the spring are Detric Bing-Dukes who had

ZEDRICK WOODS Photo by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine

41 stops, and Tayler Polk, who made 34 stops. Donta Evans, Willie Hibbler, and Ray Ray Smith are the other linebackers on the roster that will go through spring. Each of them needs to impress before the bulk of the signing class enters if they are going to have a chance to see the field in 2017.

DEFENSIVE BACK The big question is the health of Ken Webster. The veteran cornerback was tragically lost in the season opener at Florida State.

He will be back in 2017, but will he be able to see reps in the spring?

Probably very little, but having him back on the team should help their spirits.

Ole Miss has a number of defensive backs on the roster. The key for McGriff is to figure out a starting lineup and then who can add depth. Zedrick Woods is the returner with the most experience in the secondary. Can he be the leader in the defensive backfield outside of Webster? This spring should help tell us that. Myles Hartsfield played well in his freshman season. He likes to hit in the running game, so look for him to be a favorite for McGriff to use in several different situations. Jaylon Jones and Jalen Julius have experience at the cornerback spots. They seem the most likely to be the starters coming out of the spring. C.J. Hampton is entering his senior season this year. He’s had a forgettable career so far, and maybe this is his time to shine before his time is up.

Deontay Anderson has a lot of talent and is back at safety. C.J. and A.J. Moore have also seen action in the past. Cam Ordway, Armani Linton, and Montrell Custis are the other players who return. Javien Hamilton who signed from Jones Junior College will go through spring drills and should factor in at corner.

SPECIAL TEAMS Gary Wunderlich is back for his senior season, and he had a fantastic junior year with 22 makes in 23 attempts. He is one of the nation’s best kickers, which gives Freeze one less thing to worry about. The rest of the special team’s units need to improve, though.

Ole Miss has been dreadful at returning punts the past few seasons, so Freeze and his staff need to find a reliable player for that role.

Don’t be surprised if redshirt freshman Tre’ Nixon ends up taking over the punt returner duties in 2017.

Will Gleeson is back for his final campaign at punter. He’s had an up and down career, but he also has experience on his side. Last year he averaged 44.1 yards per punt on his 28 attempts.

GARY WUNDERLICH Photo by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine

SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN? There is no doubt that last season missed expectations.

The early losses to Florida State and Alabama put a damper on any championship hopes, that along with numerous injuries, but also may have had a psychological effect on the team. Maybe they thought they had lost anything worth playing for? Did the uncertainty of the NCAA cloud effect the coaches and players? The loss of several key starters early in the year, no doubt had an impact as Freeze had to throw way too many players into the fire that probably weren’t ready and had to learn on the fly. The bright side, the experience those players gained last season will only benefit them heading into the fall.

As we all know, Freeze made wholesale changes to the coaching staff the past several months and maybe some new faces, and coaching philosophies are just what the Rebels needed to help turn things around. The return of Wesley McGriff will definitely be a boost on defense. McGriff will have a big job on his hands to put the bite back into the Landshark Defense we had grown accustomed to seeing.

New Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo is a hire I am very interested in watching develop. Coming in as one of the top offensive coordinators from FCS contender Sam Houston State, Longo could be the missing link in helping an offense that struggled to score from inside the red-zone and had difficulty running the football from pretty much anywhere on the field. I believe Longo will come in with a new attitude and a lot to prove.

2017 will be a new direction on the “Journey,” as Freeze likes to call it. I think these changes will also give Hugh a new bounce in his step as well. As fans, we all hope to see the Hugh Freeze we saw in his first three seasons as our head coach. An energetic young guy with a chip on his shoulder who wanted to prove to the world that he belonged as a head coach in the SEC. We want to see the Freeze of old with a fire in his belly whose pregame and halftime speeches were ones that if the fans could have witnessed as well, would have had them ready to run through a wall.

So Coach, if you read this, let’s all get ready to “lock the gate and pick a fight!” We’re with you.

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 35

rebelFOOTBALL 2017 SIGNING DAY REWIND

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

DEFENSE WAS PRIORITY NO. 1 IN 2017 SIGNING CLASS B Y J O H N D AV I S

CONTRIBUTING WRITER, OXFORD CITIZEN

I

T WAS CLEAR

BY THE TIME HUGH FREEZE APPEARED in front of the Ole Miss fans that gathered at the Manning Center the night of National Signing Day that he was exhausted. Even Freeze, a man who has lived to recruit, was glad to have the 2017 class signed, sealed and delivered.

A strong final day helped improve the look of the class from a national standpoint. It also highlighted the overall ability of Freeze, and his new staff, in regards to closing. Still, it was a tiresome process. The NCAA did Ole Miss no favors. Holding out a decision regarding sanctions prevented the Rebels from landing players ranked higher in the national rankings. For the first time in public, Freeze said he would remember the schools, the coaches, that recruited against Ole Miss.

“I probably feel great about this class for several different reasons, one of which is that these young men chose to come to our great university and our program amid extreme pressure, amid extreme rhetoric that they’ve had to hear – some true, some not true,” Freeze said. “And yet, they and their families found this place to be the best fit for them under those circumstances, and

36 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

D.D. BOWIE for that, I’ll always be indebted to this group. It was a very difficult time. A lot of roller coaster rides in the recruiting process this year, probably more than others, even though that’s always part of it. But with our other issues, it made it very difficult. We really had to fight together and stay together, and our deal was, consider it all joy. We have a great place to sell and a great environment to present to people if we can get them on campus. Our staff did a remarkable job of holding things together with staff changes and with the issues we have going on around our program. I stand today feeling great about our guys and our families who have joined us. Secondly, I think we addressed a lot of needs that we have.

That’s what signing day should always be about. There are a lot of great players, but you have to address the needs

you have, and we feel we did that in a lot of ways.”

Ole Miss ended up with 22 new players. Six of the 22 have already enrolled in school and will go through spring drills. They include linebacker Brenden Williams, defensive end Markel Winters, quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, linebacker Breon Dixon, cornerback Javien Hamilton and defensive end Ryder Anderson. The vast majority of the signees are defenders. Ole Miss ranked No. 110 in the nation in total defense last season, and Freeze put more emphasis on getting in players who could play right away and turn that stat around.

“Defense was the priority of our class, to get it fixed. A lot of defensive changes. Jason Jones returning here helped stabilize some of the recruiting class.

And then you bring in Wesley McGriff and Bradley Dale Peveto. With their

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FLIM FLAM, BIM BAM!

“I probably feel great about this class for several different reasons, one of which is that these young men chose to come to our great university and our program amid extreme pressure, amid extreme rhetoric that they’ve had to hear – some true, some not true...” - High Freeze >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ties, I think we were able to fill significant needs, starting with the defensive line,” Freeze said. “The first guy I’d like to mention is one that doesn’t get any attention but just went on scholarship this past year is Qaadir Sheppard. I think he’s going to be a phenomenal talent in this league. That’s one that we had planned in this class, even though you don’t announce him in this class.

He’s a phenomenal player. Ryder Anderson and Markel Winters are the two defensive ends in this class, then inside guys Sincere David and Tae-kion Reed, that helps round of the defensive line. Coach McGriff did a wonderful job with Sincere.

“At the late hour, when things get kind of crazy, you always have a few different plans. He showed me his tape.

At 320 pounds, he’s lined up at tailback, quarterback, kicker, just an athletic big dude. We’re excited about him,” Freeze added. “Tae-kion and coach Matt Luke had the neatest relationship throughout the recruiting process. His mom and I, we hit it off, and that’s always a tough battle when you’re in a certain part of the state, but I felt really comfortable after our home visit that they knew that they fit with us and he would come with us today. He’s one of these 6-foot-4 guys waiting to develop and blow up and be a dominant football player.”

BREON DIXON The linebackers are the strength of the class as the Rebels landed a total of six. Mohamed Sanogo, a native of Plano, Texas, chose Oxford over UCLA. His size (6-1, 235) gives Freeze someone to plug right in at middle linebacker. Josh Clarke, from Jefferson, Louisiana, stuck with the Rebels through thick and thin.

He can play on the outside and is coming off a fantastic senior season in which he made 149 tackles.

“At linebacker, it’s well documented that this was a place that we needed to improve. We’ll start with Momo (Sanogo), who got the MVP at the US-Canada game. I think he had 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, seven tackles total. Getting him out of Plano West, it’s another family that fits really well with us. Coach Maurice Harris, Coach Jones, those guys did a great job coming in to get him to the finish line. He’s a big physical guy,” Freeze said. “Brenden Williams is a mid-year guy, already up here with us.

He’s at 237. We think he’s going to blow up and be a 250-pound linebacker. Josh Clarke is another guy who stayed loyal to us all the way through the recruiting process. Then looking for those hidden gems like a Mike Hilton type, we believe

KAM WHITE Zikerrion Baker is going to be one of those. He qualified late, and he’s long and tough. When you grab his arm, you feel like he’s been swinging an axe handle. He’s one of these country Louisiana kids with a great family. When he gets an offer like this, he sees it as a blessing. He’s not into all the hoopla or anything, just wants an opportunity to come and work. Excited about those guys at linebacker.”

One of the best parts about signing day was the fact the Rebels kept Morton’s D.D. Bowie, who is expected to compete for a starting spot at cornerback right away. Bowie is the top prospect of the class from a rankings standpoint and corner was a needed place to sign great athletes. Ole Miss signed a total of six defensive backs, including Clinton’s Kam’ron White and C.J. Miller from Georgia, who was the next highest ranked player in the defensive backfield.

“We think D.D. is as athletic as any kid that’s come out of this state since I’ve been here. He’s really, you watch him play other sports, and he’s just really athletic,” Freeze said. “Breon is a football player. He just makes plays,

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 37

TAE-KION REED makes your team better. You wish you were bigger, you wish you were faster and all of those things, and then you put his tape on and he makes 14 tackles and is always around the ball. Hamilton is another mid-year DB. I love his change of direction. A.J. Harris, loyal all the way through. (He’s got a) wonderful family and stayed with us all the way through the recruiting process. C.J. Miller de-committed from USC, wasn’t quite sure, and they just kept working

ISAIAH WOULLARD at the relationship and they were able to swing that our way late last night.

Kam’ron White is the rangy safety you need in this league who has great ball skills. I’ve come to the conclusion, if kids aren’t picking the ball on Friday nights, they’re not going to intercept it on Saturdays. That guy intercepts the football. Another in-state kid that we’re glad to have.”

On offense, the Rebels landed two quarterbacks. Along with Ta’amu, Alex

Faniel from Virginia signed on to back up Shea Patterson. The Rebels landed two more wide receivers, JaVonta Payton out of Tennessee, who Freeze compared to Markell Pack, and Braylon Sanders out of Georgia, who reminded Freeze of Van Jefferson. Ben Brown was one of two offensive line signees.

He is a third generation Rebel out of Vicksburg. Tony Gray out of Georgia was the other lineman that the Rebels landed. According to Matt Luke, he was the third-highest rated tackle on their board all season long.

“Our coaches did a phenomenal job getting right to the end to the nation’s top two tackles in Walker Little and Trey Smith, who chose to go other places. The third guy on our board that we evaluated was Tony. We knew it’d be a fight to get him,” Freeze said. “But his mom fell in love with the place and fell in love with us in the home and really didn’t care what other people said. I loved her.

She made up her mind based on her dealings with people and he got his papers in today, so that was a big get.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

2017 SIGNING CLASS CAPSULES Ryder Anderson | DE | 6-6 | 231 | Katy, Texas | Katy HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star prospect according to the major recruiting sites ... Ranked the No. 85 defensive end in the country by ESPN and the state of Texas’ No. 10 DE by Scout ... Helped Katy to a 10-3 record as a senior after a perfect 16-0 season and state championship his junior year ... The Tigers’ allowed just 62 points his entire junior year, pitching shutouts in 10 games ... Compiled a high school career record of 55-6 ... Played defensive end, outside linebacker and tight end ... Coached in high school by Gary Joseph … Younger brother of Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson and nephew of former Alabama and NFL defensive end Mark Anderson.

Zikerrion Baker | LB | 6-1 | 212 | Mooringsport, La. | Minden HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports and a 2-star prospect by Rivals …

Rated the nation’s No. 67 inside linebacker by 247Sports … Two-time Louisiana Sports Writers Association first team All-State selection … Helped Minden reach the 4A state championship game as a senior, while compiling 81 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks and six forced fumbles … Times

#38

- REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

Picayune 4A Defensive Player of the Year and Shreveport Times All-Area Defensive Player of the Year as a junior when he racked up 103 tackles and five sacks … Coached in high school by Spencer Heard.

D.D. Bowie | DB | 6-1 | 187 | Morton, Miss. | Morton HIGH SCHOOL: A U.S. Army All-American … Rated a 4-star prospect by Scout, 247Sports and ESPN … Ranked the 64thbest prospect in the country by ESPN, 89th

by Scout and 119th by 247Sports … Listed as the No. 10 wide receiver in the country

by ESPN, No. 15 by Scout and No. 20 by 247Sports … The second-best prospect in Mississippi according to ESPN, No. 3 by Scout and No. 4 by 247Sports … Had one catch for 11 yards in the U.S. Army AllAmerican Bowl, helping his East team to a 27-17 victory … Had five catches for 12 yards in the Mississippi-Alabama AllStar Game … Produced high school career totals of 6,857 all-purpose yards (3,132 rushing, 1,955 receiving, 1,332 kick return, 92 punt return, 346 interception return), 81 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on defense … The Clarion-Ledger All-State, 3A Mr. Football and 3A Offensive Player of the Year (Mississippi Association of Coaches) after totaling 2,933 yards of

offense as a senior … Had 2,239 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns … Moved from receiver to quarterback during the season and helped Morton to an 8-4 record and region championship … Completed 28 of 53 passes for 557 yards with six TDs and three INTs … Averaged 186.6 rushing yards per game and 10.1 yards per carry … Had 12 catches for 137 yards and two TDs …

Averaged over 35 yards per kick return with two TDs … Had six games of at least four rushing TDs … On defense, had 13 tackles, one sack, two blocked field goals and an interception in limited time … The ClarionLedger Dandy Dozen selection … Second team All-State by The Clarion-Ledger and MAC when he rushed for 729 yards and 13 TDs and caught 21 passes for 704 yards and 10 TDs … Also had three kick return TDs and recorded 13 tackles on defense as a junior … 729 rush, 13 TD, 21 catches, 704 yards, 10 TD, 3 KR TDs … Had 41 catches for 945 yards and 11 TDs as a sophomore, while also returning three interceptions for TDs on defense and returning a pair of kicks for scores … Coached in high school by Ty Weems … Cousin of Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints legend Deuce McAllister.

Ben Brown | OL | 6-5 | 300 | Vicksburg, Miss. | St. Aloysius HIGH SCHOOL: MaxPreps Small School

All-America second team … A consensus 3-star recruit by all the major recruiting services … Ranked the No. 1 offensive tackle recruit in Mississippi as well as the state’s 13th-best player by Scout … Chosen to play in the 2017 International Bowl as part of Team USA … Named first team All-State by The Clarion-Ledger … In his senior season, started all 12 games at both left tackle and defensive tackle … Led the way upfront for St. Aloysius as they ran for 2,596 yards while averaging 7.2 yards per carry … Finished with 37 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery … Coached in high school

by Bobby Smithhart.

Josh Clarke | LB | 6-2 | 217 | Jefferson, La. | Riverdale HIGH SCHOOL: A 4-star recruit according to ESPN, cracking the ESPN 300 national list at No. 287 … Rated the No. 18 linebacker in the nation as well as the No. 12 recruit out of the state of Louisiana … A 3-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and Scout … Rated by Scout as the No. 2 OLB out of Louisiana …

Chosen to play in the 2017 International Bowl as part of Team USA … As a senior, had 118 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, an interception and three forced fumbles …

As a junior, racked up 149 tackles, 18 sacks, six forced fumbles and six interceptions …

Coached in high school by Nick Brumfield.

Sincere David | DT | 6-3 | 300 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Sandalwood HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star prospect … Rated the No. 62 defensive tackle by ESPN, No. 77 by 247Sports and No. 80 by Scout … Scout also rated him the No. 7 defensive tackle in Florida … Named an All-Gateway Conference selection …

Associated Press Class 8A All-State team …

First team all-coast selection by the Florida Times-Union as a junior … Helped lead Sandalwood to the state playoffs three of four years … Coached in high school by Adam Geis.

Breon Dixon | LB | 6-0 | 218 | Loganville, Ga. | Grayson HIGH SCHOOL: Under Armour All-American … Rated a 4-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and Scout … Listed as the nation’s No. 144 overall recruit and No. 8 outside linebacker

by ESPN … Listed as the No. 18 OLB by Rivals and No. 24 OLB by Scout … Rated the No. 19 prospect in Georgia by ESPN, No. 24 by Rivals and No. 32 by Scout … Led Team Highlight with three tackles for loss in the Under Armour All-America game …

Helped Grayson to a 14-1 record and the 2016 7A state championship with a 23-

20 overtime win over Roswell … Posted 64 tackles, two interceptions, 12 sacks and more than 20 tackles for loss as a senior … As a junior at Peachtree Ridge, had 12 sacks and four interceptions … Transferred to Grayson after his junior year, the same high school as fellow signee Tony Gray and former Ole Miss defensive standouts Denzel Nkemdiche and Robert Nkemdiche … Coached at Grayson by Jeff Herron.

Alex Faniel | QB | 6-6 | 238 | Glen Allen, Va. | Glen Allen HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star recruit …

Rated by ESPN as the No. 20 quarterback in the country and the No. 16 recruit out of the state of Virginia … Rated by Scout as the No. 2 quarterback out of the state of Virginia …

Selected to play in the inaugural Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii … Despite missing part of his senior season with injury, completed 72 of 119 passes for 1,475 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing for 312 yards and four scores … Completed 70 percent of his passes for 1,147 yards in nine games as a junior … Coached in high school by Salvatore Camp … Lived in Hawaii as a child.

Tony Gray | OL | 6-5 | 300 | Loganville, Ga. | Grayson HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour AllAmerican … Rated a 4-star prospect by ESPN and a 3-star prospect by the other major recruiting services … Ranked the nation’s No. 190 overall recruit by ESPN …

Listed as the 20th-best offensive tackle in the country by ESPN and a top-40 OT

by Rivals and Scout … ESPN tabbed him the No. 23 player in Georgia … Earned Class 7A All-State honors by the Georgia Sports Writers Association as a senior after helping Grayson to a 14-1 record and the state championship with a 23-20 overtime win over Roswell … Attended the same high school as former Ole Miss defensive standouts Denzel Nkemdiche and Robert Nkemdiche and fellow signee Breon Dixon … Coached at Grayson by Jeff Herron …

Transferred to Grayson after his junior year at Central Gwinnett … Named Class 6A All-State as a junior by the AJC and GSWA … Offensive line MVP of the 2015 Atlanta Rivals Camp.

Javien Hamilton | DB | 5-10 | 170 | Bay Springs, Miss. | Jones County JC JUNIOR COLLEGE: Rated a 4-star prospect and the No. 24 overall junior college recruit in the country by ESPN ... Tabbed the sixth-best JUCO CB in the nation by ESPN ... Rated a 3-star prospect by the other major recruiting services ... Member of the

ESPN JUCO 50 and the Scout JUCO Top 100 ... Second team All-MACJC selection as a sophomore after finishing with 27 tackles and a forced fumble in nine games ... As a freshman, averaged 23.3 yards per kick return and had 22 tackles on defense ….

Coached in junior college by Steve Buckley ... HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior at Bay Springs High School, collected 28 tackles and had one interception ... Also had 451 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns on offense ... Cousin of former Ole Miss and current Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, Donte Moncrief.

A.J. Harris | DB | 5-11 | 191 | Madison, Ala. | Bob Jones HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star prospect … Rated the No. 36 safety in the country by Scout and No. 37 by 247Sports … Listed as the No. 18 player in the state of Alabama by Rivals and No. 22 by 247Sports … Ranked the No. 3 safety in Alabama by Scout …

Totaled 73 tackles, four interceptions and eight pass breakups as a senior … Also tallied over 600 yards on offense … Named All-State second team by USA Today … Also named to the JoxPreps All-State team …

Had 58 tackles, seven interceptions and 20 pass breakups as a junior, earning class 7A first team All-State honors … Also ran track, competing in the 4x100m relay and 100m …

Coached in high school by Kevin Rose.

C.J. Miller | DB | 6-1 | 188 | Powder Springs, Ga. | McEachern HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 4-star prospect by ESPN and a 3-star prospect by Scout and 247Sports … Listed as the No. 25 safety in the country and the No. 42 recruit from Georgia by ESPN … Chosen to play in the North-South All-Star Game … Selected AllRegion 3-AAAAAAA … Helped McEachern to a 10-2 record as a junior … Returned an interception 97 yards for a TD … Coached in high school by Kyle Hockman.

JaVonta Payton | WR | 6-1 | 170 | Nashville, Tenn. | Hillsboro HIGH SCHOOL: A 3-star prospect according to Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN … Rated the No. 16 player in Tennessee by 247Sports and No. 25 by Rivals … Listed as the No. 62 wide receiver prospect in the nation by 247Sports and No. 87 by ESPN … Played in the 10th Annual Toyota East-West Tennessee All-Star Classic … Caught a 21yard touchdown pass in that game … AllRegion 6-5A selection … Caught 22 passes for 386 total yards and six TDs as a senior … Also rushed for 526 yards on 61 carries with six TDs … Tallied 331 total yards (142 MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 39

rushing, 189 receiving) with five TDs as a junior … Coached in high school by Craig Clayton.

Tae-kion Reed | DL | 6-4 | 298 | Columbus, Miss. | New Hope HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 3-star prospect

by Scout and ESPN … Listed as the No. 67 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 22 player in Mississippi by ESPN … Selected to play in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star classic … Class 5A All-State second team at offensive line … Played both offensive and defensive line … Coached in high school by Kris Pickle.

Braylon Sanders | WR | 6-0 | 172 | Hogansville, Ga. | Callaway HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 4-star prospect by Scout and ESPN … A member of the Scout 300, ranked as the No. 258 overall recruit in the country … Listed as the nation’s No. 34 wide receiver by Scout and the No. 33 athlete by ESPN … Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State second team at wide receiver as a senior, helping the Cavaliers to a 13-1 record and berth into the 2A state semifinals … Caught 20 touchdowns and racked up more than 1,000 receiving yards … Played both receiver and quarterback for Callaway prior to his senior year … Coached in high school by Pete Wiggins.

Mohamed Sanogo | LB | 6-1 | 235 | Plano, Texas | Plano West HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl … A 4-star recruit according to Rivals and Scout ... Rated by Scout as the No. 13 linebacker nationally and No. 2 in the state of Texas, as well as the No. 299 overall recruit in the country … Rated by Rivals as the nation’s No. 14 linebacker … Ranked the No. 55 recruit in the state of Texas in the 247Sports composite rankings … Played on USA Football’s U-18 national team for the inaugural North American Championships … Named Team USA MVP after a 26-0 win over Canada … Named second team all-district as a senior … Collected first team all-district honors with 110 tackles and two sacks during his junior season … As a sophomore, earned co-defensive newcomer of the year for district 6-6A by recording 111 tackles … Coached in high school by Scott Smith.

Jordan Ta’amu | QB | 6-2 | 200 | Pearl City, Hawaii | New Mexico Military JUNIOR COLLEGE: Rated a 3-star prospect 40 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

by Scout and ESPN ... Tabbed the No. 4 junior college dual-threat QB in the nation

by ESPN ... Member of the Scout JUCO Top 100, listed as the No. 99 overall JUCO prospect in the country ... As a sophomore at NMMI, threw for 3,014 yards and 32 touchdowns while also rushing for 328 yards and seven touchdowns ... Ranked third in the NJCAA with 334.9 passing ypg and second nationally with his 32 passing TDs ... 2016 Southwest Junior College Football Conference Player of the Year, AllRegion and All-SWJCFC … Coached in junior college by Joe Forchtner ... HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior at Pearl City High School in Hawaii, named All-State and Division 2 Offensive Player of the Year while throwing for 1,779 yards with 29 TDs and only four interceptions ... Also rushed for 392 yards with two TDs ... Led Pearl City to the Hawaii D2 title games in 2013 and 2014.

Kam’ron White | DB | 6-2 | 201 | Clinton, Miss. | Clinton HIGH SCHOOL: A 4-star recruit by Rivals and ESPN … Listed as the nation’s 30thbest athlete by Rivals and 49th-best wide receiver by ESPN … Ranked the No. 6 player in the state by Rivals … Represented Mississippi in the Mississippi-Alabama AllStar game where he intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown … Named first team All-State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches and The ClarionLedger … Named to The Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen … Led Clinton to a 14-1 record and a 6A state championship … As a senior, recorded 51 tackles and six interceptions on defense, while tallying 31 catching for 522 yards and six TDs on offense … Coached in high school by Judd Boswell.

Brenden Williams | LB | 6-3 | 224 | Fairfield, Ala. | Northeast Mississippi CC JUNIOR COLLEGE: Listed as a 3-star prospect by Scout, 247Sports and ESPN ...

247Sports rates him as the No. 21 overall junior college prospect in the country and the third-best inside linebacker nationally ...

Scout lists him as the No. 44 overall JUCO prospect and fifth-best outside linebacker ... As a freshman at Northeast, collected 89 tackles, fourth-most in the state ... His 9.9 stops per game led the MACJC and ranked 17th nationally ... Compiled five doubledigit tackling performances, including three straight to end the season and a seasonhigh 15 tackles against Mississippi Delta …

Coached in junior college by Greg Davis ...

HIGH SCHOOL: Played mostly wide receiver at Restoration Academy in Birmingham, Alabama.

Markel Winters | DE | 6-3 | 260 | Tallahassee, Fla. | Jones County JC JUNIOR COLLEGE: Rated a 4-star prospect and the No. 13 overall junior college recruit in the country by 247Sports ... Listed as the No. 2 JUCO weakside DE in the country by 247Sports ... Rated a 3-star prospect by the other major recruiting services ... ESPN and Scout both have him as a top-50 JUCO recruit and top-10 JUCO DE ... Two-time All-MACJC and All-Region 23 selection as a freshman and sophomore ... Led the MACJC and ranked second in the NJCAA with 16 quarterback sacks as a sophomore ... Added 5.5 more tackles for loss ... National junior college player of the week in October when he registered four sacks for -17 yards, recovered a fumble and blocked an extra point against Hinds ... Posted 33 tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries as a freshman … Coached in junior college by Steve Buckley ... EAST CAROLINA (2014): Originally signed with East Carolina out of James Rickards High School in Florida ... Redshirted at ECU in 2014 before transferring to Jones ... HIGH SCHOOL: 2013 Nike NFTC defensive line MVP in Orlando.

Isaiah Woullard | RB | 5-9 | 195 | Hattiesburg, Miss. | Presbyterian Christian School HIGH SCHOOL: All-time leading rusher in Mississippi high school history with 8,294 career yards … Rated a 2-star recruit by Scout … Named first team All-State by The Clarion-Ledger as a senior … Hattiesburg Impact All-Area Player of the Year …

Averaged 230 rushing yards per game (2,761 total) while reaching the end zone 36 times … Ran for 100 yards in every game of the season, including nine 200-yard games … Averaged nearly 9 yards per carry … Led Presbyterian Christian to an 11-1 record and the MAIS AAAA D-I semifinals …

Earned first team All-State honors by The Clarion-Ledger as a junior when he posted a state-high 3,085 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns … Fourth player in Mississippi history to rush for more than 3,000 yards in a season … Coached in high school by Joey Hawkins.

EARLY ENROLEES: Ryder Anderson | DE | 6-6 | 231 | Katy, Texas / Breon Dixon | LB | 6-0 | 218 | Loganville, Ga. | Grayson / Javien Hamilton | DB | 5-10 | 170 | Bay Springs, Miss. | Jones County JC / Jordan Ta’amu | QB | 6-2 | 200 | Pearl City, Hawaii | New Mexico Military / Brenden Williams | LB | 6-3 | 224 | Fairfield, Ala. | NE MS CC / Markel Winters | DE | 6-3 | 260 | Tallahassee, Fla. | Jones County JC

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 41

REBEL NATION

overtime

A.K. Is At A Crossroad

By ACEY ROBERTS Featured Columnist

F

or Ole Miss basketball, the number 20 has been a charm.

Andy Kennedy became Ole Miss’ 20th basketball coach in 2006 in the middle of the “glory years” of Ole Miss basketball. Rob Evans and Rod Barnes started the modern day Ole Miss basketball program, and it didn’t happen until the late 1990’s.

Ole Miss basketball coaching records through the years are rather abysmal if you have never actually looked them up. If you haven’t researched Ole Miss basketball coaches records, you will see a whole lot of losing records and a lot of barely break even records. Rod Barnes (141 – 109) at 32 games to the positive over seven years and a 56% win record is the best we have ever had.

So even if Andy Kennedy ended his career at Ole Miss today, you are looking at amazing success, relatively. 225 wins in 11 years, a SEC tournament championship and a couple of NCAA tournament appearances would easily eclipse anything Ole Miss has had in the past.

But success begets success. The aged CM “Tad” Smith Coliseum was replaced with a massive 90 million dollar, dazzling facility. Andy Kennedy has outlasted a fleet of amazing SEC coaches and is now the gray beard of the bunch. Everything Ole Miss basketball fans and Ole Miss basketball coaches could have wished for is now here.

Andy Kennedy has to be asking himself, ‘What do I do now?’

The Ole Miss basketball program is at the edge of the known world. Ole Miss was in a small little box for so long. It was understood that you couldn’t recruit at Ole Miss. It was understood that we didn’t have a nice facility. It was understood that we didn’t have a legacy of winning, and that was ok.

But now, Ole Miss basketball is all grown up and about to drive on the interstate for the first time with a learners permit.

42 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

“So even if Andy Kennedy ended his career at Ole Miss today, you are looking at amazing success, relatively. 225 wins in 11 years, a SEC tournament championship and a couple of NCAA tournament appearances would easily eclipse anything Ole Miss has had in the past.”

Kennedy has the opportunity of a lifetime. There are fewer and fewer excuses available for losing games and more and more advantages to being at Ole Miss What does the next step look like and how can we get there?

Coach Kennedy is poised to have a breakout season, and there are some specific reasons why.

WHY HE WILL 1) Oxford has the luxury of being close to Memphis and Jackson. While Jackson is not quite the deep pool of basketball talent it was in the 80’s and 90’s, there are still a few NBA players to speak of that Ole Miss could get on the court for a year or two.

Kennedy recruited two of the most prolific players ever to wear the red and blue in Marshall Henderson (left) and Stefan Moody.

The Memphis metro area is over 1.5 million people and is still a basketball recruiting hotspot.

While several schools fight over Memphis area talent, Ole Miss has an advantage over most of the other SEC schools in proximity, except Kentucky for the very elite players.

2) The Pavilion. I can’t explain how great this arena turned out. Every coach or team that plays here is just amazed, and so are recruits and fans. It’s not too big; seating is not too cramped, restrooms, concessions, all the little extras are just perfect.

Just a great facility. The best in the nation right now.

We all know having a new building is nice and is a must, but a building does not recruit. Players don’t care about the building if you can’t win or you don’t have a good fan base or a good coach. The Pavilion will, however, get some kids to visit that might not have considered Ole Miss in the past.

3) Coach Kennedy’s offense is a national championship offense. Kennedy can run and gun with the best of them. With the right players, Oxford could take over Las Vegas as the new home of the Running Rebels, and in college basketball, you don’t need ten great players, you only really need two or three to make some noise and build that excitement that fuels itself.

His offense has drawn some ire from fans because without very athletic players it is a rather mistake-prone offense.

4) Ole Miss owns the state of Mississippi. For the first time in decades, Ole Miss is the premier basketball school in the state.

MSU has always had a little more success in the past and typically got a few more kids from Jackson.

With the loss of Coach Stansbury, MSU has been in a multi-year tailspin and has shown no signs of recovering soon. Andy Kennedy has won six of the last seven games over the Bulldogs.

Ben Howland is a great recruiter, and he will get his share of players; but for the moment, Ole Miss has the upper hand and must take advantage where they can.

WHY HE WON’T Of course, there are a lot of efforts working against Andy Kennedy, and there is no guarantee Ole Miss can capitalize on the momentary advantages.

1) Ole Miss is not a basketball school.

I can’t imagine a scenario where Ole Miss fans will embrace basketball over football.

Football is king in the SEC, and elite national basketball players are going to focus on East Coast basketball schools and basketball friendly leagues.

This is a major problem for the SEC, and don’t forget about beating Kentucky. You basically have to be a final four team to win the SEC against Calipari.

2) The emergence of other SEC coaches.

Avery Johnson at Alabama, Mike Anderson at Arkansas, Bruce Pearl at Auburn and Ben Howland at MSU are all emerging and could quickly eclipse Andy Kennedy’s opportunity. Kennedy must find a way to stand out and lead the SEC West.

3) Recruiting. While Coach Kennedy has only recently had a basketball court, he was willing to show a recruit he hasn’t recruited very well, or well enough. He has lived off JUCO re-treads, second chance players, and international transfers.

Coach Kennedy’s recruiting must take the next step if he expects on-the-court results to take another step. He has a good start on recruiting for 2017, but currently, he only has three commits and is in the top 40 of recruiting rankings (247 rankings).

This is a great time to be a basketball fan at Ole Miss! The next couple of years will be exciting. We have the best place to watch a game, the best coach we have ever had and next year will possibly be the most talented team Ole Miss has even put on a court.

As fans, let’s turn out and do our part and push this program to the top!

MARCH/APRIL 2017 - 43

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