Ole Miss Football: 2013 NSD Position Grades
Over the last month-and-a-half, Ole Hotty Toddy has reviewed every 2013 signee by every key element. Now that it is fading into the rearview mirror, I will take a look at the grades for each position. Due to the fact that there are four major recruiting websites, I will list the highest ranking assigned to the prospect because there is just too much negativity in this world. The ranking will be accompanied by an “R” if the ranking comes from Rivals, an “S” if it comes from Scout, an “E” for ESPN or “247” if it comes from 247. If there is no letter next to their ranking, it is because their rating is a consensus.
Quarterback
Anthony Alford 4-star
Ryan Buchanan 4-star
Devante Kincade 4-star (S, E)
Hugh Freeze was able to find a trio of quarterbacks in this class, including walk-on transfer Alford who does not count towards the scholarship numbers because his tuition is paid for by the Toronto Blue Jays. Alford can also play receiver or in the secondary so he is extremely valuable. All three are capable of leading the program after Bo Wallace graduates and the staff did not strike out on any prospects aside from Jeremy Johnson.
Grade: A-
Running Back
Eugene Brazley 4-star (E)
Mark Dodson, Jr. 4-star
Kailo Moore 4-star
Jordan Wilkins 4-star
The running back group is loaded with talent and each back can do something different. There is a speed, power and all-purpose in the group and Dodson has enrolled early. He has impressed early on and he will see a lot of snaps this fall as will Wilkins. A deep group, the only back the staff missed on was Peyton Barber, who was replaced by Wilkins, a higher ranked prospect anyway.
Grade: A
January 4, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Nitro wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (4) runs with the ball during the first half at the Under Armour All-America high school Game at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receiver
Laquon Treadwell 5-star (R, S, 247)
Quadarias Mireles 4-star (E)
Quincy Adeboyejo 4-star (R)
Derrick Jones 3-star
Trey Bledsoe 3-star
The headliner is obviously Treadwell who was coveted by every program in the country and became a Twitter superstar over the course of his recruitment. While he is the catalyst, the rest of the group is very athletic as well and there could be a few playmakers. Mireles is elusive and could be dangerous in the slot and Adeboyejo could be yet another deep threat for Wallace to throw to. Stacy Coley and Jonathon Rumph were the only misses at receiver.
Grade: A-
Tight End
Christian Morgan 4-star (S)
Arshad Jackson 3-star
Evan Engram 3-star
All three tight ends are pass-catchers with Morgan being the best blocker in the group. Engram is a tweener when it comes to tight end and receiver but the coaches have been big on him for almost a year. The Rebels needed to bring in a lot of tight ends with the graduations of Febria Allen, HR Greer and Jamal Mosley and they have a big fish to fry for December 2013 in Jeb Blazevich. If Blazevich commits to Ole Miss on June 1 (his announcement date), the staff will be beyond giddy as he has been one of their big targets since Freeze took the job. If not, they feel good about all three in this class. The biggest misses were Jeremy Liggins, who committed but did not qualify, Mitchell Parsons and Beau Sandland.
Grade: B-
Jan 5, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; East offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (77) talks to reporters after the U.S. Army All-American Bowl high school football game at the Alamodome. The East won 15-8. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive Line
Laremy Tunsil 5-star
Austin Golson 4-star
Daronte Bouldin 3-star
Davion Johnson 3-star
Bobby Billingsly (walkon) 3-star (S, E, 247)
Austin Douglas (walkon) 3-star (247)
This group is deep from top to bottom. There is a legitimate SEC offensive line by this class alone. That is good news considering four key seniors graduate in 2014 in Emmanuel McCray, Pierce Burton, Evan Swindall and Patrick Junen. Tunsil and Golson were ranked as the Nos. 1 and 3 linemen in the country by ESPN. Both could be cornerstones for this line for the 3-4 years. An underrated aspect of the line is the fact that Billingsly and Douglas are walking on at center and either could challenge Ben Still for the spot in 2014. The misses include Christian Morris, Denver Kirkland, Ira Denson and Wilson Bell.
Grade: A
January 4, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Highlight defensive end Robert Nkemdiche (1) prior to the the Under Armour All-America high school game at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line
Robert Nkemdiche 5-star
Lavon Hooks 5-star (247)
Herbert Moore 3-star
Nkemdiche is obviously the marquee player in the group as he was the consensus top player in the country and will likely start his freshman season. A big playmaker, Nkemdiche has been projected by many pundits as the NFL’s No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft. Hooks will also compete for a starting job and was ranked as the top junior college player by 247. Bringing up the unit is Moore who has been praised by the coaching staff as an overlooked gem. What holds this class back is the colossal misses by the likes of Carl Lawson, Montravious Adams, Chris Jones, Jason Carr and Elijah Daniel. Five-star end Frank Herron was a secret commitment according to Scout’s Yancy Porter, but switched back to LSU the final week of recruiting.
Grade: B+
Linebackers
Marcus Robinson 3-star
Rashawn Smith 3-star
Only Smith will make it to campus and Freeze did not make this position one of priority as the Rebels figure to take a lot of talented linebackers from the 2014 class. Smith is a project but could contribute in 2-3 years. The only real miss was Duke Riley which was more or less a mutual loss of interest.
Grade: C
Secondary
Antonio Conner 5-star (S, 247)
Nickolas Brassell 4-star
Bobby Hill 3-star
David Kamara 3-star
Conner has been a Rebel-in-waiting since he was a freshman at South Panola and if he can get it together in the classroom, he could become an all-time great at Ole Miss. Brassell, another SP product with troubles with academics, is immensely talented and proved that during his first go-round with Ole Miss. He vows that he is a changed man and Freeze & Co. sure hopes so. There was some tire kicking and flirting with Mackensie Alexander, Jeryl Brazil, Shaq Wiggins and Corn Elder but no real tears shed by the staff like there was on the d-line.
Grade: B+