Hugh Freeze and the Ole Miss coaching staff put an emphasis on acquiring offensive linemen in the 2016 signing class. Ole Miss signed five offensive linemen in this recruiting cycle, hopefully to combat the losses they had among the offensive line after the 2015 season. The Rebels lost three-year starter Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, Fahn Cooper, a two-year starter at right tackle, and Ben Still, who filled in admirably for the Rebels at center during Robert Conyer’s absence.
The Rebels return the aforementioned Conyers, who will likely man the center position in 2016 along with guards Javon Patterson, Rod Taylor, Jordan Simms and tackle Sean Rawlings.
Greg Little: Little, a consensus five star, is Laremy Tunsil’s heir apparent at the left tackle position. After de-committing from Texas A&M, Little committed to the Rebels in December. Little is from Allen, Texas and had offers from virtually everyone in the country. Little will be a key cog in the wheel of the Rebels’ 2016 season. He will be asked to play immediately and protect Chad Kelly’s blind side. The Rebels have been blessed with Tunsil the past three years protecting the quarterback’s blind side, and are hopeful Little will have the same success as his predecessor.
Bryce Mathews: Mathews is one of the more underrated players in the Rebels’ signing class. Mathews, a 6-foot-6-inch, 275 pound tackle, committed to the Rebels in July and remained firm throughout the process. Mathews is from Brentwood, Tennessee. and chose the Rebels over his home-state Tennessee Volunteers, Clemson and Michigan. He will contend for immediate playing time at the right tackle position, and could likely be the Rebels’ right tackle for an extended period of time.
Jack Defoor: Defoor is a three-star prospect from Calhoun, Georgia. Defoor chose the Rebels over offers from Louisville, Clemson, and Missouri. Defoor, a 6-foot-4-inch, 268 pound prospect, is a solid option for the Rebels inside at the guard position. Defoor committed to the Rebels in May and remained firm throughout the whole process.
Royce Newman: Newman was a late steal for the Rebels. Newman, who was committed to the Missouri Tigers until late January, chose the Rebels after his official visit to Oxford on Jan. 22. Newman is 6 feet 7 inches and 260 pounds, and could provide immediate depth at the tackle position for the Rebels. Newman chose the Rebels over Missouri, North Carolina State and Penn State.
Eli Johnson: The Rebels were able to keep Johnson, a 6-foot-3-inch, 288 pound prospect, in his hometown. Johnson played high school football at Lafayette High School. Johnson chose the Rebels over Duke, Mississippi State and Nebraska early in the process. Johnson could provide an immediate impact inside at the guard or center position, and could develop into a three- or four-year starter for the Rebels.
