Ole Miss Football: How the Rebels 2024 SEC opponents fared on Early Signing Day
Florida - Rank 16
Despite some good signings for the Gators this week, it was a tad disappointing for head coach Billy Napier. Florida saw four of their top eight commits flipped during the week. Five-star safety Xavier Filsaime changed his commitment to Texas, while linebacker Adarius Hayes flipped to Miami.
Napier managed to hold on to his top two commits from the class. Five-star quarterback DJ Lagway stayed true to the Gators, despite the late push from USC and head coach Lincoln Riley. Five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray also stayed with Florida, both players saving the 2024 recruitment class for Napier.
Head coach Billy Napier was under pressure before the national signing week began. If he wants to keep his job, he will need some of these freshmen to step up in 2024.
Biggest impact in 2024 - Myles Graham
South Carolina - Rank 20
Three years under head coach Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks have their second consecutive top-20 signing class. Grabbing two five-star prospects was a boost to their score, with both guys looking ready to feature in 2024.
Offensive tackle Josiah Thompson was the best player in the state of South Carolina. Dylan Stewart is also a five-star prospect and the number three-ranked edge player in the 2024 class. Beamer also picked up three other four-star players from in-state, with wide receiver Mazeo Bennett standing out on paper.
Beamer and South Carolina are coming off a disappointing season, missing out on a bowl game. With the last two signing classes being very fruitful for the Gamecocks, expect a handful of these guys to be impact players this season.
Biggest impact in 2024 - Josiah Thompson
Kentucky - Rank 25
Mark Stoops made it three top-25 recruiting classes in four seasons for the Wildcats. The one season they didn't crash the top 25, they still ranked 31 nationally. It is a testament to what Stoops has achieved over the last few seasons with the team.
Recruiting starts in-state, with the top two prospects from the state of Kentucky, the Smith brothers. Both signees were on the defensive line for the Wildcats. Jerod Smith is a 6-3 265lb defensive lineman and 6-4 230lb edge rusher Jacob Smith. They also added the number three player in-state, three-star quarterback Cutter Boley.
Combined with a top ten transfer portal class, Stoops has the fan base optimistic again heading into 2024. Will it be enough for the Wildcats to finish in the top half of the Southeastern Conference next season?