Ole Miss Football: Possible Michigan Transfers, Separating Fact From Fiction
If the past five years hasn’t been enough grinding of the rumor mill for Ole Miss football, just wait there is more to come. What part is fact and what part is fiction?
As with any part of the entire NCAA fiasco, there has been plenty of negative attention for Ole Miss football. While many Ole Miss football fans were happy to finally receive our sanctions from the COI ruling, It wasn’t what we expected. The additional year of a post-season ban against the Rebels has opened a leak in the football program. Of course, given the sanctions some transfers were expected by many of us.
Transfers under these circumstances happen. We’ve seen players transfer before and it hasn’t been a big deal in most cases. Of course, it’s never been on this potential level. However, when you see the media reports and it names a dozen or more players it’s unnerving. This is where we need some basic facts regarding possible transfers as they relate to Ole Miss.
Fact number one, there are players who are in contact with other schools regarding transfer options. Fact number two, there are players who have sought the legal counsel of Tom Mars. Fact number three, there are seven players who are either transferring or seriously weighing all their transfer options. Fact number four, we don’t really know what the final tally could be.
Although I don’t really see the whole ‘mass exodus’ in our future, I do believe we have a right to be genuinely worried. Of course, I don’t blame any player for making a change which he knows is best for him.
Not All Is As It Seems
Ole Miss Rebels Football
Of course, the media has had a hey day with Ole Miss football over the past five years. For fans who are thinking ‘can we just catch a break?” No apparently not.
However, not everything is always as it seems. Such is the case with the transfer rumors. And yes, rumors are all they really are as of right now. Maybe some lucky speculation in the end.
Don’t get me wrong, there will be transfers. That’s not the question. The question is how many? Hopefully it won’t be as bad as some media pundits have predicted. Personally I don’t think it will be.
Of course, it depends on who you are reading. We’ve gotten our fair share of negative media from TSBU writers. The transfers may turn out like ‘the hammer’ Ole Miss was supposed to get.
Smells Like Wolverines
Ok, so a Michigan jet was in Oxford Wednesday and we all know how shady Harbaugh is. Of course, he’s chasing talent and hopes he can shave off a half-dozen or more players. However, I doubt he gets all of what he wants but he may actually pull some of it off.
It’s being reported several Ole Miss players could be taking a visit to Ann Arbor this weekend. Three players who we believe are taking their visits are Shea Patterson, Van Jefferson and Deontay Anderson. Michigan media pundits are predicting Anderson will verbally commit to Michigan over the weekend. He is considered by them to be a lock because he can play at Michigan immediately. Apparently Anderson self-imposed his own red shirt this season.
When it comes to Patterson and Jefferson, Jefferson making the trip to Ann Arbor this coming weekend hasn’t been confirmed by OHT. However, Michigan football Report Insider James Yoder reports they are a package deal. He also believes Jefferson is the key to the two transferring to become Wolverines. Who really knows? Only the players themselves. Time will tell the story of these three players. It could be as soon as this weekend. Yoder seems to believe this could be the ultimate ‘mother lode’ weekend for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan
Other Possible Guests?
Red shirt freshman offensive lineman Bryce Matthews reportedly met with Harbaugh while the Michigan coach was enjoying Oxford. Whether or not Matthews will be there remains to be seen. Another offensive lineman who was said to have met with Harbaugh is Greg Little. Some reports say Little is connected to Oklahoma. Of course Little could easily make that his transfer landing spot. Apparently Little’s mother blew the whole Michigan thing out of the water.
Freshman linebacker Breon Dixon is also a possible guest at Michigan this weekend. The other name which has been mentioned is freshman tight end Jacob Mathis. At this point I’m not surprised if all seven of these players do transfer. However, I simply don’t see Little, Dixon or Mathis going to Michigan for a number of reasons.
One, Little will wind up at Oklahoma if he transfers at all. Two, I’m sure Dixon and Mathis want quality playing time a little closer to home. Three, I simply don’t see how Harbaugh could possibly add seven players at once and not screw up his 2018 recruiting class. Of course, we know things can easily unfold in Jim Harbaughs favor. Lord knows he could use the talent and depth at Ann Arbor.
Not All Doom And Gloom
Maybe it’s just the perpetual optimist in me who wants to believe and accept the notion things can always get worse. Just when we finally get what we’ve known was coming and believe things will get better they just get worse. Of course, it’s not easy being a Ole Miss football fan amid all the transfer talk in the media. However, it’s not as bad as people make it out to be.
So a few players, ok seven players are considering transferring from Ole Miss. As I said before I hold no ill will towards any of these players for transferring if they are sure it’s what is best for them. And in no way am I trying to minimize their athletic ability in any way, shape or form. They are all extremely talented players and wherever they go they will find playing time.
No, we don’t want to lose any player with the talent level any of these players have. However, the transfers will free up scholarships which could be better served in other areas on the team where we could use them. When you consider the scholarship reductions self-imposed and additional restrictions by the COI then this could actually benefit Ole Miss in the long run.
Over the next couple of seasons recruiting could be slim pickings and we could use every single scholarship we can get our hands on. Of course, when it all boils down to making things better and relieving some of the transfer talk, the best way would be an immediate appeal concerning the 2018 postseason ban. The good news is both AD Ross Bjork and Jeff Vitter have promised to do so. So see it could be worse.
So how does this story end? Well we just have to wait and see. However, I expect the worst and hope for the best for Ole Miss football and the transfer situation. Of course, I’m a diehard Ole Miss Rebel but I only hope the best for these young men as they try to figure out what’s best for them in the future. Hotty Toddy!