Ole Miss Recruiting: Hugh Freeze and staff offers West Coast prospect

Hugh Freeze and his staff are hot on the recruiting trail. They understand their needs and are seeking prospects within those areas to feel them. After the 2015 season, Ole Miss will likely lose defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche to the NFL Draft, and his talent presents a potential first round draft pick. Due to graduation, the Rebels will also lose Issac Gross and Woodrow Hamilton after next season. So, filling the depth at defensive tackle now is a planning for the future. Apparently, the Ole Miss staff has found interest in a prospect who knows very little about the program, and is nearly 2,000 miles away from Oxford.

Aug 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) prior to facing the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Scott may not know much about Ole Miss, and the rich traditions surrounding the program. However, as reported by The Clarion Ledger, Scott does know they don’t come 2,000 miles away for just anybody.

“They told me they rarely – if ever – look at players on the West Coast. They said someone has to be really, really special to recruit someone way out here,” said Scott to the Ledger, who picked up an Ole Miss offer on Tuesday. “(Chris) Kiffin told me I have the best upside he maybe has ever seen – like huge upside. He told me that I’m better than most anyone he’s recruited this year.”

However, Scott is not a really sought-after prospect. Besides Ole Miss, his other offers come from Fresno State, Kansas State, San Diego State, and UNLV. This has a lot to do with the fact this is Scott’s first year playing football, as he spent most of his childhood and his early high school years playing basketball. “It’s not that I didn’t want to play football,” Scott said to the Ledger. “In California, to be able to play Pop Warner, you have to be a certain weight to play in each division. I was always too big to play.”

So, Scott has had to do something to impress a school all the way from Mississippi, right? The 6-foot-5, 280-pounder, who recently transferred to Salesian High School, racked up 40 total tackles, 18 sacks, and an interception his senior year. Those are some impressive stats for any player playing as a three-technique (interior defensive lineman).

“One of (Ole Miss’) recruiting coordinators said he watched my film then showed it to the entire staff like right away,” Scott said to the Ledger. “He said they all like loved it.”

After reviewing the video and contacting Scott, the Ole Miss staff made a scholarship offer shortly thereafter. Scott has scheduled an official visit to Ole Miss for January 30th. He said he also plans to visit San Diego State and possibly UNLV.

One of the common problems that arise with prospects is the distance from school-to-home. After all, Scott will travel nearly 2,000 miles to arrive in Oxford. But, that doesn’t seem like an issue for Scott. “I actually have family in Mississippi. I’ve never been there, but my grandmother was born there and I have some cousins there, too,” said Scott to the Ledger, “So, I’m sure it will feel like home, but staying close to home isn’t a big deal to me.”

The Los Angeles native is a consensus three-star prospect, and is rated as the No. 72 defensive tackle in the nation. Scott is also rated as the 136th prospect in the State of California. Keep in mind, this is his first year playing competitive football. His Hudle video (view above) tells us a different story.

According to 247Sports.com, Kevin Scott is a heavy lean towards Ole Miss. Scott said he will make his announcement on National Signing Day, which is on Wednesday, February 4th.