The Norman Transcript

National Sports

Discussion

February 7, 2013

Mississippi able to muscle in on power programs

By Ralph D. Russo Associated Press

NORMAN — Alabama. Ohio State. Michigan. Florida. Notre Dame. Mississippi?

Ole Miss muscled in on the powerhouses that usually dominate national signing day, landing some of the most sought-after prospects in the country on college football’s annual first-Wednesday-in-February frenzy.

The Rebels, coming off a promising 7-6 season in their first season under coach Hugh Freeze, had the experts swooning by signing three of the bluest chips still on the board.

“I do think (this class) has the possibility of being a program changer,” Freeze said. “But it’s all on paper right now.

The day started with defensive end Robert Nkemdiche from Loganville, Ga., rated the No. 1 recruit in the country by just about everyone who ranks them, deciding to join his brother, Denzel, in Oxford, Miss.

“I feel like it’s the right place for me,” Nkemdiche said after slipping on a red Ole Miss cap. “I feel like they can do special things and they’re on the rise. I feel like going to play with my brother, we can do something special.”

Nkemdiche originally committed to Clemson last year, then backed off that and narrowed his picks down to LSU, Florida and Mississippi.

They weren’t done. Coaches in the Ole Miss war room were exchanging hugs and high-fives again a couple hours later when Laremy Tunsil, a top-rated offensive tackle from Lake City, Fla., picked the Rebels over Florida St. and Georgia.

“Tunsil to Ole Miss I think was the biggest surprise of the whole (recruiting season),” said JC Shurburtt, national recruiting director for 247Sports.com.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
National Sports
  • Biffle, Edwards not on same page

    BROOKLYN, Mich. — Greg Biffle was thrilled after his victory last weekend in Michigan. Teammate Carl Edwards was a little bit miffed....

    June 20, 2013

  • Championship, and legacies, on the line for Heat, Spurs

    MIAMI — Game 7s do more than settle championships. They define legacies. No matter what happens Thursday night, LeBron James and the Miami Heat, and Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs have already won NBA titles and secured a place in history....

    June 20, 2013

  • Blackhawks win in OT to tie series

    BOSTON — Brent Seabrook’s goal 9:51 into overtime lifted the Chicago Blackhawks to a wild 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night and tied the Stanley Cup finals through four games. Seabrook fired a 45-foot shot past Bruins ...

    June 20, 2013

  • UCLA skipper: Plutko, Vander Tuig deserve their due

    OMAHA, Neb. — UCLA coach John Savage says it’s about time for Adam Plutko and Nick Vander Tuig to get their due....

    June 20, 2013

  • Cowboys sign third-round picks

    IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have signed both of their third-round draft picks to four-year contracts. Baylor receiver Terrance Williams was the 74th overall pick in April, six spots ahead of Georgia Southern safety J.J. Wilcox. The ...

    June 20, 2013

  • Beavers knock Hoosiers out of World Series

    OMAHA, Neb. — Matt Boyd pitched a four-hitter and struck out 11 and Oregon State made a fourth-inning sacrifice fly stand for a 1-0 victory over Indiana in the College World Series on Wednesday night....

    June 20, 2013

  • Jackson trying to help Falcons fix rushing problem

    FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Steven Jackson is still trying to feel his way through his first offseason with the Atlanta Falcons....

    June 20, 2013

  • Rangers starters still winless in June

    ARLINGTON, Texas — Yu Darvish is like the rest of the Texas starters — still without a victory in June. For the ace from the Japan, the winless streak goes back a little further than that. Brandon Moss and Josh Jaso homered and the AL ...

    June 19, 2013

  • The missing piece

    ARDMORE, Pa. — The most recent golden era of golf in England had everything but the one prize that brings credibility. A major championship....

    June 18, 2013

  • Changing the rules in the NCAA?

    The WNBA’s first president feels that women’s college basketball needs to make changes if the sport is to grow....

    June 18, 2013