Rebels Land Back-To-Back
Consensus Top-20 Classes
By Austin Miller,
OleMissSports.com
After
assembling a consensus top-10 signing class a year ago, the Ole Miss
football program hauled in a consensus top-20 class for the second
straight year Wednesday. Headlining this year’s class are 14 high
school and junior college All-Americans and the top four high school
players in the state of Mississippi.
“I’m thrilled with our class, like every coach would stand and say
today,” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said. “Our coaches did a
phenomenal job in building relationships with the prospects and their
families and significant others that can stand the onslaught of the
recruiting process. It’s definitely a grind and a challenge. The last
couple of weeks are always extremely anxious moments.
The major recruiting service rankings currently list Ole Miss at No. 14
(247Sports.com), No. 18 (Scout.com and ESPN.com), and No. 19
(Rivals.com). It marks the first time in school history to record
back-to-back consensus top-20 classes dating back to the first
recruiting rankings in 2002.
Among the 14 All-Americans are four U.S. Army-All America selections in
defensive back C.J. Hampton, offensive lineman Christian Morris, wide
receiver Markell Pack and offensive guard Jordan Sims. There were also
three Under Armour All-America selections in defensive lineman Garrald
McDowell, offensive lineman Rod Taylor and kicker Gary Wunderlich.
The 27-player class includes 19 players rated 4 stars or higher by at
least one recruiting service, including five consensus four-star
prospects, as well as offensive lineman Rod Taylor, who is listed as a
5-star prospect by 247Sports.com and a 4-star prospect by the other
three major recruiting services.
“I hope we can redshirt more kids than we were able to the last two
years,” Freeze said. “That’s a sign we’re headed in right direction and
getting kids more maturity before they have to hit the field. Last
year, we had some top-heavy guys that got a lot of attention. We were
also able to evaluate correctly guys like Evan Engram and Derrick
Jones. This class, we might be better top to bottom.”
The Rebels pulled in prospects from 10 different states, including
Mississippi (12), Georgia (three), Alabama (two), Florida (two), North
Carolina (two), Tennessee (two), California (one), Illinois (one),
Louisiana (one) and Texas (one).
By the position, the Rebels welcome to the program six offensive
linemen, five defensive linemen, four athletes, three linebackers,
three defensive backs, two wide receivers, one quarterback, one running
back, one tight end and one kicker.
“We’re close,” said Freeze of the roster’s depth. “I consider it two
classes because the first year I had three weeks before signing day.
After three full recruiting years, we should have our roster to where
you look at it and feel this is an SEC roster. We’re definitely a lot
closer.”
The jewel of this year’s class is Taylor, the consensus top-rated
prospect in Mississippi and listed No. 1 on the Clarion-Ledger Targeted
22 list. He is also listed as a 5-star prospect, the No. 1 offensive
guard and the No. 25 overall player in the country by 247Sports.com
“Rod Taylor is as good as I have ever seen in drill tape,” Freeze said.
“You may watch a game tape and you may say he doesn’t look as good as
this guy, but you go watch a drill tape. I don’t know if I have ever
seen a guy any better than his feet in those things. That means a lot
more to me.”
Led by Taylor, the Rebels hauled in the top four high school players in
Mississippi, according to 247Sports.com. Joining him are Hampton, Pack
and defensive lineman Breeland Speaks. Each of those three players is
also a consensus four-star recruit, as well as defensive back Tee
Shepard.
“We set out a goal to capture our state and the top guys in it, first,
and then identify positions of need,” Freeze said. “We were able to
accomplish both of those things in this class. It added significant
depth to our young football team, particularly at certain spots.”
Ole Miss continues to build depth and helped fill immediate needs by
signing five junior college players, as well as adding offensive
lineman Christian Morris, a mid-year transfer.
Among the junior college players are Akeem Judd, the nation’s No. 1
junior college running back by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com and ESPN.com.
“We think the junior college route solved some immediate needs, like at
middle linebacker with Christian Russell, and a big, physical tailback
with Akeem Judd,” Freeze said. “We decided we needed another corner
about a week ago and we were able to get a great talent like Tee
Shepard to join us. At offensive tackle, we added Fahn Cooper. Those
are positions that were of great need for us.”
The nation’s No. 1 JUCO cornerback by 247Sports.com and the No. 2 JUCO
cornerback by ESPN.com, Shepard was one of the few signing day
surprises for Ole Miss, flipping his commitment from Mississippi State
to Ole Miss. Otherwise, it was a day with no bad surprises for Freeze
and the Rebels.
“You come into it with your guys who have committed to you and you
don’t have any bad surprises on that day,” Freeze said. “We were able
to get through today without any, and it went pretty smoothly. We lost
a few battles with some really good schools that we were in it at the
end with some really good players.
“Our focus is totally on the players that we get because those are the
Rebels and those are the ones who chose to come with us, and our
concentration will be on the many, many great players. We got our team
faster and deeper, and I can’t wait to get them here and get them on
the field and get to practicing.”
Ole Miss Football 2014 Signing
Class
D.K. Buford | ATH | 5-11 | 190 | Lafayette HS | Oxford, Miss.
Fahn Cooper | OL | 6-5 | 315 | College of DuPage | Crystal Lake, Ill.
* Kendrick Doss | QB | 6-2 | 215 | Florence HS | Florence, Ala.
Sammie Epps | TE | 6-5 | 215 | Greenwood HS | Greenwood, Miss.
Victor Evans | DE | 6-4 | 225 | Skyline HS | Dallas, Texas
DeMarquis Gates | LB | 6-2 | 215 | Lovejoy HS | Hampton, Ga.
* C.J. Hampton | DB | 6-1 | 195 | Meridian HS | Meridian, Miss.
Dayall Harris | WR | 6-3 | 185 | Callaway HS | Jackson, Miss.
* Marquis Haynes | DE | 6-3 | 225 | Fork Union Military Academy |
Jacksonville, Fla.
Akeem Judd | RB | 6-0 | 215 | Georgia Military College | Southern HS |
Durham, N.C.
D.J. Law | ATH | 5-11 | 185 | Haines City HS | Haines City, Fla.
* Jeremy Liggins | ATH | 6-4 | 295 | Northeast Mississippi CC | Oxford,
Miss.
Garrald McDowell | DL | 6-2 | 260 | Covington HS | Covington, La.
A.J. Moore | LB | 6-1 | 200 | Bassfield HS | Bassfield, Miss.
C.J. Moore | ATH | 6-0 | 190 | Bassfield HS | Bassfield, Miss.
* Christian Morris | OL | 6-6 | 290 | UCLA | Memphis, Tenn.
Markell Pack | WR | 6-3 | 185 | Purvis HS | Purvis, Miss.
Tyler Putman | OL | 6-5 | 285 | DeSoto Central HS | Southaven, Miss.
Sean Rawlings | OL | 6-5 | 285 | Madison Ridgeland Academy | Madison,
Miss.
* Christian Russell | LB | 6-1 | 235 | East Mississippi CC |
Fayetteville, N.C.
Tee Shepard | DB | 6-1 | 195 | Holmes CC | Fresno, Calif.
Jordan Sims | OG | 6-4 | 348 | Homewood HS | Homewood, Ala.
Breeland Speaks | DL | 6-4 | 285 | Callaway HS | Jackson, Miss.
Rod Taylor | OL | 6-3 | 320 | Callaway HS | Jackson, Miss.
Kendarius Webster | DB | 5-11 | 177 | Stockbridge HS | Stockbridge, Ga.
Chris Williams | DT | 6-1 | 287 | Sandy Creek HS | Tyrone, Ga.
Gary Wunderlich | K | 6-0 | 180 | Memphis University School | Memphis,
Tenn.
* January enrollee
D.K. Buford
ATH | 5-11 | 190 | Lafayette HS | Oxford, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the 2014 Offense-Defense All-American
Bowl … Listed as a 4-star recruit by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com and
rated the No. 6 all-purpose back in the nation by 247Sports.com …
Listed as the country’s 15th-best all-purpose back by Rivals.com and
the No. 29 running back by ESPN.com … Ranked the state’s eighth-best
prospect by 247Sports.com and ninth by ESPN.com … A member of The
Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen … Listed No. 13 on The Clarion-Ledger’s
Targeted 22 list … Chosen to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
Game … Accounted for more than 3,600 yards of offense and 49 touchdowns
during his prep career, while helping Lafayette to three Class 4A state
championship games, including back-to-back state titles as a freshman
and sophomore … Named first team Class 4A All-State by the Mississippi
Association of Coaches as a senior after rushing for 1,027 yards and 15
TDs and racking up 298 receiving yards with three TDs … Played through
ankle and shoulder injuries for much of his senior season … Accounted
for 1,448 yards (830 rushing, 398 receiving, 220 kickoff and punt
returns) and 16 TDs as a junior … Had more than 700 yards of offense
and 12 TDs as a sophomore … Coached in high school by Eric Robertson …
Also participated in baseball, basketball and track & field …
Was named Division 2-4A Defensive Player of the Year as a centerfielder
in baseball … Class 4A champion in the 100 meters (10.76) and 200
meters (21.80) as a junior at the MHSAA state track meet … Sister,
Mariah Buford, runs track at Ole Miss … Related to fellow Ole Miss
signee Jeremy Liggins and former Alabama defensive back and minor
league pitcher Justin Woodall.
Fahn Cooper
OL | 6-5 | 315 | College of DuPage | Crystal Lake, Ill.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: A second team NJCAA All-America selection as a
sophomore … Rated a 4-star offensive tackle prospect by ESPN.com and
247Sports.com … Listed as the No. 18 junior college prospect in the
country by ESPN.com and No. 19 by 247Sports.com … Listed as the No. 5
junior college OT by ESPN.com and No. 7 by 247Sports.com … Starting
left tackle at the College of DuPage, coached by Matt Foster … BOWLING
GREEN (2011-12): A two-year member of the Falcons’ football team …
Started all 13 games at left tackle during his redshirt freshman year
in 2012 … Part of an offensive line that averaged 153.4 rushing yards
per game and a unit that allowed just 15 sacks in 13 contests …
Redshirted his true freshman year in 2011 … HIGH SCHOOL: A 2011
graduate of Crystal Lake South High School ... Helped his team finish
11-1 and advance to the state quarterfinals as a senior … Named to the
Northwest Herald and Daily Herald All-Area team … Coached in high
school by Chuck Ahsmann.
Kendrick Doss
QB | 6-2 | 215 | Florence HS | Florence, Ala.
Graduated from high school early and enrolled at Ole Miss in January
2014 ... Member of the 2014 signing class ... HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a
3-star prospect by all the major recruiting services ... Listed as the
nation's No. 11 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com, No. 22 by
247Sports.com and No. 23 by ESPN.com ... Rivals.com rates him as the
No. 11 recruit in Alabama ... Helped Florence to a 9-4 record and the
school's first ever berth in the Class 6A state quarterfinals as a
senior ... Threw for 1,539 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for 1,001
yards and 16 touchdowns ... As a junior, he accumulated 1,743 passing
yards passing with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions to go with
1,202 rushing yards and 21 TDs on the ground ... Was named the 2012
TimesDaily Class 4A-6A Player of the Year ... A four-year starter at
quarterback for Florence ... Coached in high school by Jamey DuBose ...
High school teammate of Rebel linebacker Ray Ray Smith.
Sammie Epps
TE | 6-5 | 215 | Greenwood HS | Greenwood, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the 2014 Offense-Defense All-American
Bowl … Rated a 4-star prospect and the 10th-best tight end in the
country by Scout.com, which also lists him as the eighth-best prospect
in Mississippi … Rated the No. 10 TE-H in the nation by ESPN.com …
Listed as the nation’s No. 27 tight end and Mississippi’s 10th-best
recruit by Rivals.com … Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game
and was named Mississippi MVP after catching seven passes for 125 yards
and a touchdown … Listed No. 8 on The Clarion-Ledger’s Targeted 22 list
… A first team Class 4A All-State wide receiver by the Mississippi
Assocation of Coaches and second team overall All-State pick by The
Clarion-Ledger … Also voted Region 3-4A Offensive Player of the Year by
the coaches … Hauled in 46 catches for 808 yards and 11 touchdowns his
senior season … Caught 45 passes for 500 yards and three TDs as a
junior … Coached in high school by Clinton Gatewood … Cousin of former
Ole Miss receiver Mario Hill.
Victor Evans
DE | 6-4 | 225 | Skyline HS | Dallas, Texas
HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star prospect … Rated the nation’s No. 46
weakside defensive end by 247Sports.com and the No. 48 defensive end by
Scout.com … Listed as the 60th-best prospect in Texas by Scout.com …
Named first team Class 5A All-State by the Associated Press and the
District 9-5A Defensive MVP as a senior … Led all 5A players with 16
sacks to go along with 75 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 17 QB
pressures his senior year … Helped Dallas Skyline reach the state
semifinals as a senior and sophomore … Coached in high school by
Reginald Samples … High school teammate of Ole Miss quarterback DeVante
Kincade.
DeMarquis Gates
LB | 6-2 | 215 | Lovejoy HS | Hampton, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com
and ESPN.com … Rivals.com lists him as the No. 19 outside linebacker in
the country and the No. 14 prospect in Georgia … Missed his senior
season due to a torn ACL … A preseason Class 6A All-State selection by
GHSF Daily … Recorded 132 tackles as a junior and was named All-Region
… A three-year varsity starter from his freshman through junior seasons
… Helped Lovejoy reach the Georgia 6A state championship game as a
sophomore and junior … Coached in high school by Al Hughes and Edgar
Carson.
C.J. Hampton
DB | 6-1 | 195 | Meridian HS | Meridian, Miss.
Graduated high school early and enrolled at Ole Miss in January 2014
... Member of the 2014 signing class ... HIGH SCHOOL: U.S. Army
All-American ... Consensus 4-star recruit and the No. 59 prospect
nationally according to 247Sports.com ... Listed as one of the
country's top 10 safeties by 247Sports.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com ...
All-State selection and the Region 3-6A Defensive Player of the Year
after his senior season ... Registered 111 tackles and four
interceptions while helping Meridian to the 6A state semifinals as a
senior ... The Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen selection ... Chosen to play
in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game ... Chose the Rebels over
Alabama, Arkansas and Florida State.
Dayall Harris
WR | 6-3 | 185 | Callaway HS | Jackson, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 4-star recruit and the No. 53 wide receiver in the
country by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Ranked the eighth-best player
in Mississippi by ESPN.com … A Class 5A All-State selection as a kick
returner by the Mississippi Association of Coaches as a senior … Also
tabbed All-Region 2-5A by the MAC and All-Metro second team at wide
receiver by The Clarion-Ledger … Listed No. 17 on The Clarion-Ledger’s
Targeted 22 list … Had 42 catches for 564 yards and seven touchdowns as
a senior, while racking up 1,034 total all-purpose yards … Led Callaway
to a school-record 14 wins and the 5A North Half Finals … Recorded 31
catches for 490 yards and seven TDs as a junior … High school teammate
of current Rebels Justin Bell and Aaron Morris … Coached in high school
by Daryl Jones … Also played basketball and ran track … Helped
Callaway’s basketball team to state titles in 2012 and 2013.
Marquis Haynes
DE | 6-3 | 225 | Fork Union Military Academy | Jacksonville, Fla.
Signed with Ole Miss and enrolled in classes in January 2014 ... HIGH
SCHOOL: Consensus 3-star recruit and the No. 6 prep school prospect in
the country according to 247Sports.com ... Listed as the top prep
school defensive end by both 247Sports.com and Rivals.com ... Had 16
sacks, nine forced fumbles and an interception at Fork Union ...
Originally part of North Carolina's 2013 signing class ... Played his
high school ball at University Christian School, where he led his team
to the Florida 2A state title as a senior.
Akeem Judd
RB | 6-0 | 215 | Georgia Military College | Southern HS | Durham, N.C.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Listed as a 4-star recruit by 247Sports.com and the
nation’s No. 1 junior college running back by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com
and ESPN.com … Rated the No. 17 overall JUCO prospect by 247Sports.com
… Helped lead Georgia Military College to the junior college national
championship game as a sophomore … Rushed 95 times for 558 yards and
four touchdowns during an injury-riddled season … As a freshman, he
totaled 463 yards on 71 carries with five rushing TDs and two receiving
scores … Coached in junior college by Bert Williams … HIGH SCHOOL: Ran
for 1,324 yards and 14 touchdowns his senior year at Southern … Coached
in high school by Adrian Jones … Also ran track.
D.J. Law
ATH | 5-11 | 185 | Haines City HS | Haines City, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL: Listed as a 4-star recruit and the No. 36 running back in
the country by ESPN.com … Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports.com,
Rivals.com and Scout.com … Ranked the No. 28 running back by
247Sports.com and the No. 63 player in Florida … A second team Class 7A
All-State running back as a senior after rushing for 1,275 yards and 13
touchdowns on 109 carries … Scored 20 total touchdowns on the season …
Ran for 1,043 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior, and also caught
11 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown … Coached in high school by
Ron Johnson …. Also played basketball at Haines City.
Jeremy Liggins
ATH | 6-4 | 295 | Northeast Mississippi CC | Oxford, Miss.
Enrolled at Ole Miss in January 2014 ... JUNIOR COLLEGE: Rated a 4-star
prospect, the No. 20 junior college recruit in the nation and the No. 2
JUCO athlete by ESPN.com ... Rated the No. 31 overall JUCO recruit by
Scout.com and Rivals.com and the No. 1 JUCO athlete by 247Sports.com
... Listed as a 3-star defensive end by Scout.com ... Played in three
games as a defensive end and four games as a quarterback during his
freshman year at Northeast Mississippi Community College ... Had 14
tackles and a TFL at DE ... Passed for 441 yards, five touchdowns and
an interception, while rushing for 124 yards and a TD while playing QB
... Coached in junior college by Ricky Smither ... HIGH SCHOOL:
Originally signed with LSU out of high school ... Led Lafayette High
School to 32 straight wins and back-to-back 4A state titles as the
team's quarterback ... Threw for 1,678 yards and 16 TDs and ran for 953
yards and 18 scores as a senior ... Passed for 1,186 and 17 touchdowns
and rushed for 1,661 and 20 touchdowns during his junior season ...
Named the 2010 and 2011 MHSSA All-Division 2-4A Player of the Year ...
Awarded first team All-State honors by The Clarion-Ledger and All-Area
by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal his junior and senior
seasons ... Was rated the No. 93 overall prospect in the country by
247Sports.com and No. 118 by ESPN.com ... A four-star recruit according
to 247Sports.com and ESPN.com ... Listed as the ninth-best athlete in
the nation by 247Sports.com and 12th by ESPN.com ... Rated as the No.
16 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com and the No. 19 quarterback by
Scout.com ... Ranked as the No. 3 overall player in Mississippi by
247Spots.com, fourth by ESPN.com and seventh by Rivals.com ... A member
of The Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen ... Selected as a member of the
Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 ... Coached in high school by
Anthony Hart.
Garrald McDowell
DL | 6-2 | 260 | Covington HS | Covington, La.
HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour All-America selection … Registered two
tackles and a half sack in the Under Armour All-America game … A
consensus 4-star prospect by all the major recruiting services … Ranked
the No. 111 recruit in the nation by ESPN.com and also a member of the
Rivals250 … Listed as the nation’s No. 8 defensive tackle by ESPN.com
and No. 17 by Rivals.com … Listed as the No. 12 strongside defensive
end by 247Sports.com … ESPN.com rates him as the 11th-best prospect in
Louisiana … A first team Class 5A All-State selection by the Louisiana
Sports Writers Association and a two-time All-Metro pick by The
Times-Picayune … Listed No. 15 on The Times-Picayune Nifty 50 … Named
the District 6-5A Defensive MVP as a senior after recording 128
tackles, 10 tackles for loss, nine sacks, six pass breakups, four
forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … Also rushed 24 times for 94
yards and eight touchdowns along with a TD reception as a short-yardage
fullback … Helped Covington to the Class 5A state semifinals for the
first time since 1987 … Registered 84 tackles, 18 TFLs and 10.5 sacks
as a junior … Coached in high school by Greg Salter.
A.J. Moore
LB | 6-1 | 200 | Bassfield HS | Bassfield, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: MaxPreps second team Small School All-American … A
consensus 3-star recruit and the No. 34 inside linebacker in the nation
according to 247Sports.com … Rated the No. 46 outside linebacker in the
country by Scout.com … Listed No. 9 on The Clarion-Ledger Targeted 22
list and named to the publication’s Dandy Dozen … Chosen to play in the
Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … A first team All-State selection at
linebacker by The Clarion-Ledger after recording 132 tackles, 11
tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks to go along with five rushing TDs as a
senior … Also named the Class 2A Defensive Player of the Year and
Region 7-2A Defensive Player of the Year by the Mississippi Association
of Coaches … Helped Bassfield go 15-1 and win the Class 2A state
championship … A second team Class 2A All-State pick by the MAC his
junior season when he helped Bassfield go 16-0 and capture the 2A state
title … Coached in high school by Lance Mancuso … Also ran track and
placed runner-up to fellow Rebel Kailo Moore in the 100 and 200 meters
at the 2013 Class 2A state meet … Twin brother of Ole Miss signee C.J.
Moore.
C.J. Moore
ATH | 6-0 | 190 | Bassfield HS | Bassfield, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: Listed as a 3-star recruit by Scout.com, 247Sports.com and
ESPN.com … Rated the No. 69 athlete in the nation by 247Sports.com …
Scout.com lists him as the 23rd-best prospect in Mississippi and the
nation’s No. 112 safety … Played quarterback and linebacker for
Bassfield … Named Class 2A All-State and All-Region 7-2A as a
linebacker by the Mississippi Association of Coaches after racking up
32 tackles, four TFLs and three interceptions his senior year … Also
completed 58-of-101 passes for 1,194 yards and 15 touchdowns, while
rushing for 318 yards and 13 touchdowns … Led Bassfield to a 15-1
record and 2A state championship as a senior and a 16-0 record and 2A
state title as a junior … Coached in high school by Lance Mancuso …
Also ran track and placed third in the 400 meters behind fellow Rebel
Kailo Moore at the 2013 Class 2A state meet … Twin brother of Ole Miss
signee A.J. Moore.
Christian Morris
OL | 6-6 | 290 | UCLA | Memphis, Tenn.
Enrolled at Ole Miss in January 2014 ... UCLA (2013): A member of the
Bruins' signing class, but did not enroll in the fall semester ... HIGH
SCHOOL: A U.S. Army All-America selection ... Rated a 4-star prospect
by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Listed as the No. 10 offensive tackle
in the nation and No. 128 overall recruit by Rivals.com ... Pegged as
the 20th-best OT in the country by Scout.com ... The third-best player
in Tennessee according to Rivals.com ... A first team Class 5A
All-State pick by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association and an
All-District 16-AAA selection ... Played in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl
All-Star Game and the City of Memphis All-Star Game following his
senior year ... A top-five OL performer at the 2012 Nike football
combine "The Opening" ... Also played basketball ... Coached in high
school by Marcus Wimberly.
Markell Pack
WR | 6-3 | 185 | Purvis HS | Purvis, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: A U.S. Army All-America selection … Hauled in a 16-yard
reception and led the West team to a 28-6 victory in the U.S. Army
All-American Bowl … A consensus 4-star prospect … Rated the No. 90
overall recruit in the country by ESPN.com and No. 99 by 247Sports.com
… Member of the Rivals250 … Listed as one of the nation’s top 15 wide
receivers by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Ranked No. 2 in Mississippi
by ESPN.com and No. 3 by Scout.com and 247Sports.com … Listed No. 5 on
The Clarion-Ledger Targeted 22 list and named to the publication’s
Dandy Dozen … Chosen to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game
... A first team All-State pick by The Clarion-Ledger as a senior …
First team Class 4A All-State and Region 7-4A Offensive Player of the
Year by the Mississippi Association of Coaches … Totaled 1,891 yards of
offense and 21 touchdowns as a senior, gaining 1,170 yards on the
ground and 528 yards on 35 catches through the air … Also passed for 94
yards … Had 16 tackles, two interceptions, two passes defended, one
fumble recovery and a forced fumble on defense … Lined up at
quarterback, receiver, safety, cornerback, kick return and punt return
… Caught 44 passes for 770 yards and seven TDs as a junior, while
adding 444 rushing yards and five TDs on the ground … Coached in high
school by Perry Wheat … Cousin of former Ole Miss linebacker Garry Pack.
Tyler Putman
OL | 6-5 | 285 | DeSoto Central HS | Southaven, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: Listed as a 4-star prospect and the No. 19 offensive
tackle in the nation by ESPN.com … Also listed as a top-50 tackle by
Rivals.com … ESPN.com ranks him the seventh-best prospect in
Mississippi … Missed his senior season with a torn ACL … Coached in
high school by Matt Wallace …
Also played basketball at DeSoto Central.
Sean Rawlings
OL | 6-5 | 285 | Madison Ridgeland Academy | Madison, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star prospect and ranked the No. 25 center
in the country by Scout.com … Listed as the nation’s No. 72 offensive
tackle by 247Sports.com and the No. 79 offensive guard by ESPN.com …
The No. 19 player in Mississippi according to Rivals.com … Listed No.
19 on The Clarion-Ledger Targeted 22 list … Named first team All-State
and All-Metro at center by The Clarion-Ledger after his senior season …
Graded out at 96 percent on the season with 46 pancake blocks and 59
knockdowns … Also played on the defensive line … Coached in high school
by Forrest Williams … Also played basketball.
Christian Russell
LB | 6-1 | 235 | East Mississippi CC | Fayetteville, N.C.
Enrolled at Ole Miss in January 2014 ... JUNIOR COLLEGE: Rated a 4-star
prospect by Scout.com and ESPN.com ... Ranked No. 21 among all junior
college prospects by Scout.com and No. 22 by ESPN.com ... Rated 3 stars
by Rivals.com and 247Sports ... Rated the No. 1 JUCO middle linebacker
in the country by Scout.com and ESPN.com ... NJCAA Second Team
All-America selection as a sophomore after helping East Mississippi to
a 12-0 record and the NJCAA national championship ... Helped the EMCC
defense finish second nationally allowing just 9.8 points per game and
first nationally with 67 sacks ... Posted 80 tackles, including seven
TFLs and three sacks ... Scored two defensive touchdowns and totaled
eight pass breakups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble
recovery ... Had nine tackles in the NJCAA national title game ...
Named to the NJCAA All-Region 23 team, first team MACJC All-State, and
MACJC North Division Defensive Back MVP ... Earned second team MACJC
All-North Division honors as a freshman after totaling a team-high 77
tackles, six TFLs, three sacks, four fumble recoveries, two pass
breakups and a forced fumble ... Helped EMCC go 20-2 during his two
seasons ... Coached in junior college by Buddy Stephens ... PREP
SCHOOL: Attended Hargrave Military Academy in 2011 ... HIGH SCHOOL:
Tabbed a 3-star prospect and top-40 linebacker in the nation by
Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Played his senior season at Hoke County
High School (Raeford, N.C.), earning a spot in the North Carolina
East-West All-Star Game ... Was a three-year starter at Westover High
School (Fayetteville, N.C.), where he racked up more than 350 tackles
and 2,000 rushing yards ... Had 136 tackles on defense and 1,728
rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on offense as a junior.
Tee Shepard
DB | 6-1 | 195 | Holmes CC | Fresno, Calif.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: A consensus 4-star recruit … Ranked No. 7 among junior
college prospects by Scout.com and No. 8 by Rivals.com … Rated the No.
1 JUCO cornerback by 247Sports.com and No. 2 by JCGridiron.com and
ESPN.com … Named first team All-State … Recorded 54 tackles, one
interception, two fumble recoveries and six pass breakups in his one
season at Holmes … Coached in junior college by Jeff Koonz … NOTRE
DAME: Enrolled at Notre Dame for the spring 2012 semester and was a
part of the 2012 signing class … HIGH SCHOOL: A Semper Fidelis
All-American … Rated a 5-star recruit and the No. 39 player in the
country and third-best cornerback nationally by Scout.com … Rated 50th
on 247Sports.com listing of top prospects nationally … Ranked the
fifth-best cornerback in the country and eighth-best prospect in
California by 247Sports.com … Listed 76th on the Rivals250 chart …
Named to the Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 list as one of the 100
best players in 13 western U.S. states … Sat out his 2011 senior
regular season, as Washington won third straight state title … Played
in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and Cal State All-Star Game …
Made 10 career interceptions … Transferred following his junior season
after playing in 2010 at Central East High School in Fresno.
Jordan Sims
OG | 6-4 | 348 | Homewood HS | Homewood, Ala.
HIGH SCHOOL: Named a U.S. Army All-American … Made the MaxPreps Medium
Schools All-America second team … Listed as a 4-star recruit by
ESPN.com … Ranked the No. 19 offensive guard in the country by ESPN.com
and No. 21 by 247Sports.com … Rated as the No. 14 player in Alabama by
Scout.com and No. 15 by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Competed in the
Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic … Named to the All-Metro team by
the Birmingham News … Made the AL.com All-Super State team … Was an
Associated Press Class 5A All-State team selection … Named the 2013
ASWA Class 5A Lineman of the Year … Graded at 91 percent with 81
pancake blocks and no sacks allowed as a senior … Coached in high
school by Doug Goodwin.
Breeland Speaks
DL | 6-4 | 285 | Callaway HS | Jackson, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: MaxPreps first team Medium School All-American … A
consensus 4-star recruit … Rated the No. 135 overall prospect by
247Sports.com and No. 179 by Rivals.com … Rated the nation’s 11th-best
defensive tackle by 247Sports.com, No. 19 DT by Scout.com and No. 12
strongside defensive end by Rivals.com … Listed No. 2 on The
Clarion-Ledger Targeted 22 list and named to the publication’s Dandy
Dozen … Chosen to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game ...
Enjoyed a breakout senior season in which he was named first team
All-State at defensive tackle and Metro Player of the Year by The
Clarion-Ledger … Tabbed Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year by the
Mississippi Association of Coaches … Posted 118 tackles, 26.5
tackles for loss, nine sacks, 18 QB hurries, four forced fumbles, three
blocked kicks, five pass breakups and an interception returned for a
touchdown while helping Callaway win a school-record 14 games and reach
the Class 5A state semifinals … Also tabbed All-Metro by The
Clarion-Ledger as a junior after leading the Chargers with a team-high
136 tackles, along with nine TFLs and five forced fumbles while playing
middle linebacker … Coached in high school by Daryl Jones … His
brother, Marcellus Speaks, was an All-American linebacker at Jackson
State.
Rod Taylor
OL | 6-3 | 320 | Callaway HS | Jackson, Miss.
HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour All-America selection … MaxPreps second
team All-American and first team Medium School All-American … Listed as
a 5-star prospect, the No. 1 offensive guard and the No. 25 overall
player in the country by 247Sports.com … ESPN.com lists him as the No.
2 OG and No. 56 player in the nation … Member of the Rivals250, ranked
106th overall … The consensus top-rated prospect in Mississippi …
Listed No. 1 on The Clarion-Ledger Targeted 22 list and named to the
publication’s Dandy Dozen … A first team All-State and All-Metro
selection by The Clarion-Ledger his senior season, collecting more than
100 pancake blocks without giving up a sack … Named first team Class 5A
All-State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches … Helped Callaway
average more than 265 rushing yards per game en route to a
school-record 14 wins and the 5A North Half Finals … Named second team
Class 5A All-State by the MAC and All-Metro by The Clarion-Ledger his
junior year when he helped the Chargers rush for 1,516 yards … Coached
in high school by Daryl Jones … Also played basketball and ran track …
Helped Callaway’s basketball team to state titles in 2012 and 2013.
Kendarius Webster
DB | 5-11 | 177 | Stockbridge HS | Stockbridge, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 4-star prospect and the No. 25 cornerback in the
country by Scout.com, which also names him the No. 16 player in Georgia
… Rated the No. 24 CB in the country and Georgia’s 26th-best player by
247Sports.com … First ever AJC Super 11 selection from Stockbridge High
School … Named Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year after collecting
54 tackles, seven interceptions (including one returned for a
touchdown) and two forced fumbles as a senior … Also scored three
offensive TDs and returned three kicks for scores … Led Stockbridge to
the 4A state semifinals … Awarded team MVP … Coached in high school by
Kevin Whitley.
Chris Williams
DT | 6-1 | 287 | Sandy Creek HS | Tyrone, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 4-star prospect by ESPN.com … Listed as the No. 28
defensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com and No. 31 by
247Sports.com … Ranked the No. 38 player in the state of Georgia by
Rivals.com … Recorded 34 tackles, three sacks and nine tackles for loss
as a senior, despite missing six games early in the season … Collected
19 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss in the state playoffs
…. Helped Sandy Creek to the 4A semifinals … As a junior, he posted 78
tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 11 sacks while helping his team win a
4A state title … Coached in high school by Chip Walker … High school
teammate of Ole Miss defensive back Mike Hilton.
Gary Wunderlich
K | 6-0 | 180 | Memphis University School | Memphis, Tenn.
HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour All-American … A USA Today All-America
second team selection as a kicker … Rated a 3-star prospect and the No.
1 kicker in the nation by Rivals.com … Rated 3-stars and the nation’s
No. 2 kicker by Scout.com and ESPN.com … Punted twice (43.0 yard
average) and kicked off three times in the Under Armour All-America
game … A first team All-State and Best of the Preps selection by the
Commercial Appeal … Helped MUS to the D-II AA Championship game as the
placekicker and punter his senior season … Posted season totals of 40
punts for a 44.58-yard average and was 9 of 14 on field goals (long of
51) and 49 of 50 on extra points … Four of his six field-goal misses
were from over 50 yards … Recorded touchbacks on 55 of his 67 kickoffs
… Coached in high school by Bobby Alston.
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