Pete Golding strategically overhauled the entire Ole Miss staff at the beginning of the offseason, and one hire in particular, Frank Wilson, is already paying off in spades.
When Golding successfully poached LSU's recruiting X-factor Wilson, he knew he was also taking away some of its top prospects with him. Elite 2027 WR Myson Johnson-Cook is one of them.
Widely considered a Top 3 RB, Johnson-Cook narrowed down to five schools this week and put each of them on the clock. Now, Miami, Auburn, LSU, and Kentucky all will be keenly awaiting April 25 besides Ole Miss, as the four-star RB is set to announce his decision then.
Why Ole Miss has clear upper hand over LSU
However, a recent statement from the East St. Louis (Ill.) prospect gives Wilson, and Golding all the confidence they need till the announcement.
"What fires me up about Ole Miss is Frank Wilson, he’s a great guy. Like I said, LSU was high on my list, No. 1 on my list, just based off Coach Wilson," Johnson-Cook told RIvals.
"With the coaching change, he went to Ole Miss. He’s a great guy, he came to see me in January. He’s always been real to me and my mom. He’ll always help me if I need help. If I call him for anything he’ll be right here.”
Wilson's ability to build genuine rapport makes him the ultimate closer in the battle for elite talent. The Rebels have already closed several top talents like Caden Moss and Keegan Croucher.
“I’m trying to fall in love with the university,” Johnson-Cook mentioned when speaking about his ideal school.
"Coaches can leave whenever. As long as I fall in love with the university, it doesn’t matter what coach is there because I still love to play for that university. I’m also looking for development too because the end goal is not college. I’m trying to go to the NFL and produce my rookie year and also play my freshman year too so I’m looking for a place that plays freshmen."
If any school knows how to weather an abrupt coaching change and not miss a beat on the field, it's the Rebels. Wilson will be working his phone to let Johnson-Cook know exactly that until he announces his decision.
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