Ole Miss Football Recruiting: Four Tips to Prepare for National Signing Day
Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Mike Hilton (38) huddles up with teammates before the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Signing Day is Won in the Fall
The hoopla surrounding National Signing Day is exciting and tiring all at the same time. However, the fact of the matter is that signing day is not won on February 1st. You don’t see the results to NSD until the season is in full gear in the fall.
In reality, it may take a year or two before you really see if a player was worth all the time and energy it took to recruit them. The annals of football history has a list of plenty of five star recruits that didn’t pan out. Yet there are many two or three stars that outperformed their ranking.
It doesn’t take long to look down at the past few years to see how Ole Miss has benefited from players who weren’t highly rated. During the 2013 class, Ole Miss offered scholarships to two four star tight ends, Marcus Baugh and Desean Smith. Neither signed. However, we did sign this hybrid tight end/receiver from Georgia. He was only a three star, but Evan Engram became statistically the best TE to ever play at Ole Miss.
Who could forget players like Mike Hilton and Cody Prewitt? What about Cody Core and Robert Conyers? All were three star players that help change the course of the Ole Miss Rebel program. They earned there accolades during hot practices in the Summer. They’re legacies were cemented on the field during SEC games.
NSD Wrap-Up
So if the Rebels don’t sign the type of class we are accustom to, do panic. It is what they do on the field of play that will determine the successfulness of this class. Some schools average a top 10 class every year yet can not seem to win a National Championship.
Therefore, enjoy National Signing Day. Celebrate the New Rebels. Don’t worry about those who sign elsewhere. However, don’t be surprise if we find a few jewels. Then wait until the fall before you cast judgment. Hotty Toddy!