Ole Miss 2012 Recruiting

Ole Miss Rebels 2012 ... Head Coach: Hugh Freeze

Ole Miss Rebels

2011 Record: 2-10  

Sep. 3 BYU L 14-10
Sep. 10 Southern Illinois W 42-24
Sep. 17 at Vanderbilt L 30-7
Sep. 24 Georgia W L 27-13
Oct. 1 at Fresno State W 38-28
Oct. 8 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 Alabama L 52-7
Oct. 22 Arkansas L 29-24
Oct. 29 at Auburn L 41-23
Nov. 5 at Kentucky L 30-13
Nov. 12 Louisiana Tech W 27-7
Nov. 19 LSU L 52-3
Nov. 26 at Miss State L 31-3

2010 CFN Prediction: 9-3
2010 Record: 4-8

Sept. 4 Jack St L 49-48 2OT
Sept. 11 at Tulane W 27-13
Sept. 18 Vanderbilt L 28-14
Sept. 25 Fresno State W 55-38
Oct. 2 Kentucky W 42-35
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Alabama L 23-10
Oct. 23 at Arkansas L 38-24
Oct. 30 Auburn L 51-31
Nov. 6 Louisiana W 43-21
Nov. 13 at Tennessee L 52-14
Nov. 20 at LSU L 43-36
Nov. 27 Miss State L 31-23
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The Entire 2012 Recruiting Class

Top 5 Recruits To Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. DE Channing Ward
6-4, 265, Scout.com 8th ranked five-star defensive end. Undersized at defensive end but with a good frame to grow, Ward makes up for his lack of bulk and strength with his athleticism and excellent technique coming off the ball. He rarely lets a blocker get into his chest and uses his hands well to set up a rip or swim move to effortlessly get around a blocker. He needs to work on getting stronger and more flexible, but he has a knack for beating the man in front of him that's uncanny.

2. QB Bo Wallace
6-5, 210, Scout.com three-star JUCO transfer. A big quarterback with a quick release underneath, Wallace excels in his 4-Wide spread formation with quick throws on slants, screens, and swing passes. His accuracy suffers a bit as the throws get longer, but he has the arm strength to hit all areas of the field. While not a runner, he shows good mobility within the pocket and scrambling to keep a play alive. Rarely rattled under pressure and keeps his eyes downfield -

3. DT Isaac Gross
6-2, 250, Scout.com 25th ranked three-star defensive tackle. Gross has a knack for getting out of his stance and getting into gaps quickly. Issac is a leader in both word and deed and plays the game with a lot of passion. He takes getting beat personally and works hard to get even the very next snap. With his size and body style, he will play the three technique on the next level. He could possibly play on the nose if necessary. He has the toughness to handle the rigors of inside play

4. OT Pierce Burton
6-7, 290, Scout.com three-star JUCO transfer.

5. RB I’tavius Mathers
6-0, 195, Scout.com 35th ranked, three-star running back. Rushed for 2,614 yards and 31 touchdowns during the 2010 season. He was named the state of Tennessee's Gatorade Player of the Year and Old Spice Player of the Year. He also won the District and County MVP award.

The 2012 Class Was Heavy On... The Rebels and new head coach Hugh Freeze have to find a passing game and an offense. It’s Ole Miss, so there’s always a national search for the tired, poor, and hungry quarterbacks yearning for playing time. JUCO transfer Bo Wallace will be in the mix right away, and after a few years of decent recruiting classes aimed at the skill positions – with last year’s class shining at receiver – the passing game has to be better.

Team Concerns For 2012: Offensive tackle. There’s enough young depth across the board to create some interesting position battles going into spring ball, but the offense needs better blocking and has to do it with Bobby Massie taking off early for the NFL and Bradley Sowell done with his eligibility. The Rebels need a left tackle.

Looking Ahead To The 2012 Season: What kind of a team is Hugh Freeze taking over? The Rebels were 116th in the nation in scoring, 114th in offense, and last in the SEC in total and scoring defense. There’s work to do on the defensive front that underachieved in a huge way, but the experience should pay off after throwing true freshmen C.J. Johnson and Bryon Bennett to the wolves. The defense will work around true sophomore linebacker Serderius Bryant on the weakside and Mike Marry in the middle, while all four starters are back in the secondary. The offense has to settle on a quarterback in yet another offseason derby, and finding a consistent running back to work around would be nice. The offensive tackles that were supposed to be a major strength, and weren’t, are both gone with Bobby Massie taking off early for th e NFL, but the interior returns intact.

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 23. That Class Was Heavy On ... Receivers. Houston Nutt is known for his ground attacks and his ability to turn running backs into superstars, but this year’s class focused a bit more on the passing game with some surprising recruits. Nickolas Brassell could’ve gone anywhere and could immediately become the team’s No. 1 target, while Tobias Singleton and Donte Moncreif are fantastic prospects who should add more punch to the passing game. Who’s going to throw them the ball? JUCO transfer Zack Stoudt isn’t Jeremiah Masoli talent-wise, but he’s a big, strong bomber who’ll be in the mix for starting time right away.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 15. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive linemen. With the early loss of Jevan Snead, Ole Miss needed options at quarterback and it got a small, athletic playmaker in JUCO transfer Randall Mackey. Vincent Sanders is a freshman receiver too good to keep out of the mix early on, while the defense got a big boost in the secondary with JUCO transfer Damien Jackson a big, intimidating safety and Tony Grimes a terrific corner prospect. The defensive line should be terrific with an outstanding mix of talents led by JUCO transfer Wayne Dorsey, a very tall, very quick pass rusher who would've been a key get for places like Tennessee, Auburn, Michigan, and Florida State. Carlton Martin and Bryon Bennett are the future at defensive tackle, while Carlos Thomas and Delvin Jones will eventually be the team's star pass rushers with speed, size, and a world of upside for the outside.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 12. That Class Was Heavy On ... skill players. This is a huge class with a little something for all the spots, but Houston Nutt and his staff mostly tried to get players to get the offense moving even more. Quarterback Raymond Cotton will get time to develop with Jevon Snead already under center, while running backs Darius Barksdale and Rodney Scott are just a few of the good prospects looking to shine in the Nutt system. Pat Patterson is a special receiver prospect, while Ja-Mes Logan and Montez Phillips have size and speed.

Nov. 26 at Mississippi State 31 … Ole Miss 3
CFN Analysis: COMING

(AP) STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Vick Ballard rushed for 144 yards and scored two touchdowns, LaDarius Perkins added two more touchdowns and Mississippi State easily beat Mississippi 31-3 on Saturday night in the Egg Bowl.

Mississippi State (6-6, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) now has a three-game winning streak in the Egg Bowl for the first time since 1942 and also earned bowl eligibility for the second straight season.

Ole Miss (2-10, 0-8) finished a miserable season that included 10 losses for the first time in program history and ends coach Houston Nutt's four-year tenure. Nutt's resignation was announced on Nov. 7, but he remained to coach the last three games, which the Rebels lost by a combined score of 110-13.

Nutt ends with a 24-26 overall record at Ole Miss, including a 10-22 mark in conference games. The Rebels have lost 14 straight SEC games.

Third-year Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has injected new life into the rivalry since his arrival in Starkville, with a smack-talking persona that's been backed up with dominant victories. The Bulldogs unveiled new uniforms for Saturday's game, with gold numbers, gold shoes and the phrase `Hail State' replacing each player's last name on the back of the jersey.

From the very first snap, it was evident Mississippi State was the better and more motivated team. Relf rushed for 12 yards on the first play and then 17 more on the second as the Bulldogs methodically moved downfield. The 11-play, 68-yard drive ended on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Relf to Ballard that gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 5:35 remaining in the first quarter.

Mississippi State stretched its lead to 21-0 by halftime on a 36-yard run by Perkins and then a 20-yard pass from Relf to Perkins. To seal any doubt, Ballard rushed for a 25-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to push the lead to 28-0.

Relf didn't have to throw much, but was effective when he did, completing 8 of 13 passes for 70 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Ole Miss never could get moving on offense. Its only sustained drive lasted 12 plays and 47 yards before Bryson Rose kicked a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter. Enrique Davis rushed for 32 yards on 12 carries while Donte Moncrief caught four passes for 20 yards.

The game had a fitting ending, with Ole Miss quarterback Barry Brunetti leveled at the 3-yard line by the Mississippi State defense as he was trying to score a touchdown. The Davis Wade Stadium crowd roared its approval as the Bulldogs stormed the field and Mullen raised the Egg Bowl trophy above his head.

Brunetti completed 12 of 22 passes for 112 yards.

The Rebels didn't exactly rally around their outgoing coach, losing by lopsided margins to Louisiana Tech, LSU and Mississippi State since it was announced Nutt would not return.

Nutt was paid about $2.7 million this season to oversee the collapse. He's also owed a $6 million buyout.

The search for the Rebels' fifth coach in 17 seasons now begins in earnest. Whoever it is will have plenty of work ahead considering Ole Miss is 1-15 in the SEC -- including the 14-game conference losing streak -- over the past two seasons and resides in arguably the hardest division in college football.

Nov. 19 LSU 52 … at Ole Miss 3
CFN Analysis: There’s no need to read anything into a blowout loss to the best team in America, but Ole Miss didn’t come up with anything to create any sort of a scare. Without Randall Mackey and Jeff Scott, there wasn’t any pop. … The Rebel quarterbacks – Zach Stoudt and Barry Brunetti – combined to complete 8-of-18 passes for 47 yards and a pick. The passing game didn’t stand a chance. … The defensive front that’s supposed to be full of pass rushers didn’t get to the LSU quarterbacks at all, and it showed. If LSU had gone full throttle, it could’ve hung 70 on the board. … The season might have been a disaster, and the team might be on a six game losing streak and might be 0-7 in SEC play, but with a win over Mississippi State to keep the rival from going bowling, there would be something to remember from the end of the Houston Nutt era. 

Nov. 12 Louisiana Tech 27 … at Ole Miss 7
CFN Analysis: It’s not fair to ever say that a team has simply quit, but Ole Miss isn’t exactly playing up to its capabilities in this lost year. The offense started out fine, but then it went into the tank with two turnovers for scores in the second half to blow open a winnable game. … Randall Mackey and Zack Stoudt were equally mediocre. They combined to complete 14-of-37 passes for 179 yards, a score, and a pick six. … There’s way too much talent to not be better at getting into the backfield. The O line just didn’t come around this year. … It’s pride time. This might have been a miserable season, but can the Rebels put it all together and shock the world against LSU? This team has just enough athleticism – really, it does – to make it interesting if the Tigers are looking ahead to Arkansas.
 
Nov. 5 at Kentucky 30 … Ole Miss 13
CFN Analysis: Because the season couldn’t get any worse, Ole Miss picked a bad time to come up with a horrible fourth quarter collapse when it had a 13-10 lead in the fourth. The defense kept breaking down, the offense couldn’t control the game, and the mistakes were too tough to overcome with a big pick and 11 killer penalties. The offense moved the ball with almost perfect balance – 197 yards passing and 195 on the ground – led by a decent passing day from Randall Mackey, but promising early drives ended with field goals instead of touchdowns, and only one drive finished in the end zone. It’s all about playing the spoiler role from here on, but it’ll take a big upset to get by Louisiana Tech, and forget about LSU or the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State without a miracle from the offense.

Oct. 29 Auburn 41 … at Ole Miss 23
CFN Analysis: At least the Rebels got the ground attack moving. The offense that’s been so anemic for so long this year rumbled for 220 yards and two scores with Brandon Bolden continuing to show that he’s a playmaker to work around. Randall Mackey was decent on the short-range passing game and kept the chains moving, but it was Bolden who kept the game alive with 114 yards and two scores on just 13 carries. The defense sold out to get into the Tiger backfield, but the results didn’t come without enough stops in the second half. The lines continue to be a problem and the offense needs to put more points on the board, but at least there’s been a sign of life over the last few weeks. The Rebels are playing well enough to beat Kentucky next week and Louisiana Tech the week after, but they’re not playing strong enough to come up with a win over a good team.

Oct. 22 Arkansas 29 … at Ole Miss 24
CFN Analysis: Ole Miss came out strong and the pass defense played one of its best games of the year, but the run defense failed once again and the offense couldn’t get control of the game in the second half. On the plus side, the offense moved the ball a bit, and Donte Moncrief caught two touchdown passes, but the team couldn’t take advantage of the breaks and the early lead. The shocking upset was there for the taking after getting up 17-0, thanks to a great start from Randall Mackey, but the running attack stopped working and the mistakes started to flow, committing 12 penalties for 85 yards. The Rebels needed the win to have any prayer of turning the season around, and now with a trip to Auburn up next, the run defense either has to be night-day–better or it’ll be an 0-5 start in the SEC.  

Oct. 15 Alabama 52 … at Ole Miss 7
CFN Analysis: Ole Miss doesn’t have much of an offense and it didn’t have any prayer of moving the ball on the Bama defense, gaining just 141 yards with nine first downs. Not having Brandon Bolden didn’t help the cause, but the running game wasn’t going to go anywhere. Randall Mackey gave it a shot, running 12 times for just six yards, while completing a mere 10-of-21 passes for 113 yards and a pick, but he didn’t get any room to breathe and no one was making plays. With Arkansas up next, the beleaguered defense has to be far better up front and has to generate more pressure than it was able to against the Tide. If the defense isn’t coming up with a slew of turnovers, the offense isn’t going to do much.

Oct. 1 Ole Miss 38 … at Fresno State 28
CFN Analysis: A funny thing happened on the way to a disaster of a season; Ole Miss found some playmakers. Randall Mackey only completed 8-of-18 passes, but he ran well and didn’t make any big mistakes. Brandon Bolden wasn’t quite back to form, but he ran for 43 yards and two scores on six carries, while Jeff Scott continued to be the team’s main man with 138 yards and two touchdowns. The ten penalties were way too many, and there were a few problems in the secondary, but this was a tight road game the Rebels were able take control of late. With two weeks off, there’s time to enjoy the win before Alabama comes to town. 
 
Sept. 24 Georgia 27 … at Ole Miss 13
CFN Analysis: The Rebels needed to show something, anything, at home, and when it wasn’t goofing around with trick plays, the offense simply didn’t work. The offensive front continues to be a major disappointment with too much talent and too many veterans to not generate any running game; it’s inexcusable to come up with just 34 yards on the ground. Randall Mackey wasn’t the answer at quarterback, and Zack Stoudt was lousy completing just 9-of-23 passes for 71 yards and a pick. This was bad in a must-win game, but not coming up big at Fresno State next week would be even worse. There isn’t a breather on the horizon – at Kentucky on November 5th - for a while. 

Sept. 17 at Vanderbilt 30 … Ole Miss 7
CFN Analysis: Ole Miss needs to come up with a better quarterback option. Zack Stoudt tried to keep the team alive by bombing away, but his five interceptions made the game a laugher and not being able to get on the board until late in the fourth against Vandy is unforgivable. The O line that was supposed to be such a strength kept screwing up with penalties and poor protection, and there was no running game to speak of to try to calm the game down. If the Rebels can regroup and be much, much tighter in a win over Georgia next week, the team and the season might calm down, but this was a game the team needed to have with a trip to Fresno State along with battles with Alabama and Arkansas coming up soon. Now, a 1-7 start going into the road trip to Kentucky is more than possible. 

Sept. 10 at Ole Miss 42 … Southern Illinois 24
CFN Analysis: The Rebels have way too much talent to not have any semblance of a pass rush. It’s inexcusable to come up with just two sacks over two games, and that has to change in a big hurry to help out the mediocre offense; the D has to carry the team. Zack Stoudt completed 11-of-18 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, and Jeff Scott ran for 118 yards and three scores, but the offense struggled a bit after a big first quarter. Southern Illinois is Southern Illinois, and now comes the start of the SEC season against Vanderbilt. The Commodores are playing well, and the Rebels have to be far more aggressive and far more productive to let everyone exhale; they can’t lose to Vandy with Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas up next in conference play.
 
Sept. 3 BYU 14 … at Ole Miss 13
CFN Analysis: The Rebels simply need to open things up a bit more. They didn’t do anything to let QB Barry Brunetti turn it loose as he completed just 2-of-3 passes for four yards and ran just three times for 13 yards. The offense went nowhere against the Cougars and was miserable at trying to run the ball. The O line is supposed to be among the best in the SEC, but it couldn’t generate any semblance of a push with the ground game averaging just 2.2 yards per try and 64 yards total. Then, with the offense needing to close the game out, instead BYU’s defense took over late. With Southern Illinois and Vanderbilt up next, the offense has to find something that works before facing Georgia.

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Receivers. Houston Nutt is known for his ground attacks and his ability to turn running backs into superstars, but this year’s class focused a bit more on the passing game with some surprising recruits. Nickolas Brassell could’ve gone anywhere and could immediately become the team’s No. 1 target, while Tobias Singleton and Donte Moncreif are fantastic prospects who should add more punch to the passing game. Who’s going to throw them the ball? JUCO transfer Zack Stoudt isn’t Jeremiah Masoli talent-wise, but he’s a big, strong bomber who’ll be in the mix for starting time right away.

Five Ole Miss Recruits You Should Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. LB C.J. Johnson
6-2, 235, Scout.com’s 4th ranked linebacker. Johnson is a true middle linebacker who has a nose for the ball and makes a lot of plays between the edge and the sidelines. His ability to read blocks is helpful as he is often able to uncover and stop the ball carrier for a minimal gain. He does have a little trouble from time to time getting interior lineman off of him and making plays in the box, but that will come in time. He shows a true joy in playing the game.

2. WR Nickolas Brassell
6-1, 176, Scout.com’s 7th ranked receiver. Johnson is a true middle linebacker who has a nose for the ball and makes a lot of plays between the edge and the sidelines. His ability to read blocks is helpful as he is often able to uncover and stop the ball carrier for a minimal gain. He does have a little trouble from time to time getting interior lineman off of him and making plays in the box, but that will come in time. He shows a true joy in playing the game.

3. WR Tobias Singleton
6-0, 185, Scout.com’s 22nd ranked receiver. Singleton is an elusive inside receiver who spent much of his high school career as the big play guy in his team's passing game. He is very difficult to corral in the open field and he has the speed to turn even the most basic catch into a highlight reel quality play. He will need to become a more physical player on the next level as he develops into more than just a pass catcher. Singleton has very good hands and the confidence needed to play.

4. CB Senquez Golson
5-10, 180, Scout.com’s 25th ranked cornerback. 2010 Named All-South Mississippi by the Biloxi Sun Herald. Named 6A 2nd Team All-State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches. Named 2nd Team All-State by the Clarion Ledger. Recorded three interceptions and five touchdowns as a senior. Golson finished his junior season with 35 tackles and three interceptions. He also played some wide receiver and running back and has 10 total tackles. He says he can bench 300-pounds and squat 430. Golson reports a 2.9 core GPA and a 17 ACT, which he plans on retaking in the fall.

5. DT Gibert Pena
6-4, 315, three-star JUCO transfer. A compact nose-guard type that anchors the middle of Asa's line, Pena gets an exceptional push with his quick first step, strength and leverage. He's a high motor player that will get a lot of pursuit tackles. Can hold his ground against a double team and will push a single blocker backwards. Needs to work on getting off blocks, as single move seems to be the bull rush. Well conditioned big man that still goes strong in the 4th.

2011 Entire Recruiting Class

Justin Bell OL 6-3 320 Jackson, Miss. (Callaway)
Nickolas Brassell WR 6-0 175 Batesville, Miss. (South Panola)
Chief Brown DB 6-2 190 Winona, Miss. (High)
Serderius Bryant LB 5-10 220 Sanford, Fla. (Seminole)
Aaron Garbutt DB 6-2 205 Westminster, Calif. (High; Fullerton CC)
Senquez Golson DB 6-0 180 Pascagoula, Miss. (High)
Uriah Grant DL 6-1 280 Miramar, Fla. (Everglades; Fullerton CC)
Mitch Hall OL 6-6 330 Russellville, Ark. (High)
Woodrow Hamilton DL 6-3 265 Raleigh, Miss. (High)
Ethan Hutson OL 6-4 295 Destrehan, La. (High)
CJ Johnson LB 6-2 235 Philadelphia, Miss. (High)
Keith Lewis LB 6-2 215 Tampa, Fla. (Freedom)
Marcus Mayers LB 6-2 195 Taylorsville, Miss. (High)
Maikhail Miller QB 6-3 235 Fulton, Miss. (Itawamba Agricultural)
Donte Moncrief WR 6-2 200 Raleigh, Miss. (High)
Collins Moore WR 6-2 185 Madison, Ala. (Bob Jones)
Aaron Morris OL 6-5 310 Jackson, Miss. (Callaway)
Jamal Mosley TE 6-4 250 Memphis, Tenn. (Kingsbury; NW Miss.)
Cody Prewitt DB 6-3 200 Bay Springs, Miss. (Sylva Bay)
Tobias Singleton WR 6-2 180 Madison, Miss. (Madison Central)
Kameron Wood DL 6-4 220 Birmingham, Ala. (John Carroll)
TJ Worthy WR 6-2 180 Gadsden, Ala. (High)