Drew Richmond via Scout.coms
Ole Miss had a tough year on the offensive line. With multiple players suffering injuries throughout the year, the already thin group was severely lacking in depth by the year’s end. It’s no surprise the offensive line has been one of the focal points of the 2015 recruiting class, with four players already committed to Ole Miss and a fifth player possibly being added.
The Rebels biggest targets were Mississippi guard Javon Patterson and Tennessee tackle Drew Richmond. Richmond is ranked as the 3rd ranked offensive tackle in the country by 247 Sports’ composite rankings. Patterson is the 3rd ranked guard in the country according to the same rankings. Patterson enrolled at Ole Miss for the spring semester, but it’s not certain that Richmond, who committed to the Rebels in September, will sign with Ole Miss. Richmond still has heavy interest in the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. However, the Tide’s chances could be hindered by the recent commitment of Maryland offensive lineman Isaiah Prince, who plays the same position as Richmond. All in all, Ole Miss is still his leader at this time, but the battle for Richmond’s signature could definitely go down to the wire.
The Rebels other two commitments are Nashville tackle Alex Givens and Florida tackle Michael Howard. Givens holds offers from Ohio State, Tennessee and Nebraska, among others, but announced his commitment to Ole Miss in January. Howard, meanwhile, who holds offers from the likes of Oregon, Florida and Wisconsin. Howard is currently undersized with multiple recruiting services listing him at six feet six inches tall but under 260 pounds. Howard projects to be an athletic tackle for the Rebels once he fills out his frame. Both seem solid in their commitments and should sign with Ole Miss.
Ole Miss is also in the mix to land Alabama offensive lineman Steven Clark. Currently committed to Syracuse, the battle for his services seemed to be between Syracuse and Florida, but a late push by Ole Miss has them on the radar too. Ole Miss has a lot of ground to make up, but if they are able to sign Clark, they would likely move him inside to guard or center to complement the three tackles already in the 2015 recruiting class.
The Rebels are also in the market for athletes who could potentially play on the offensive side of the ball. Already committed is North Panola’s Willie Hibbler, who stands at six foot six inches, 224 pounds. Hibbler is set on joining the Rebels in the fall and has been trying to convince other recruits to follow him to Oxford. Hibbler will be a wide receiver or tight end at the next level, where his size can create mismatches all over the field.
Ole Miss also covets athletes Jalen Julius and Jaason Lewis. Julius is projected either a wide receiver or a cornerback, but could also play a big role in special teams as a returner. Julius visited Oxford last weekend, and his high school head coach recently said he expects Julius to sign with Ole Miss over Florida and Louisville, among others. Lewis on the other hand is currently committed to Arizona State with Florida, Tennessee, and Ole Miss fighting to flip him. Lewis recently took a successful visit to Florida, and both Tennessee and Ole Miss are rumored to be fighting to get him on campus for a visit before National Signing Day. The six foot four inch, 246 pound Lewis is being recruited by some as a running back, but as a tight end by others. Lewis could make a big impact wherever he chooses to go.
