.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Football Welcomes Newcomers To Campus Friday
8/2/2002 | Football
Aug. 2, 2002
OXFORD, Miss. - Members of the 2002 Ole Miss signee class, along with new non-scholarship players, reported to campus Friday to begin preparations for the upcoming campaign. While the newcomers were excited, fourth-year head coach David Cutcliffe saw some anxiousness among the group.
"I saw a little nervousness in their faces, along with their excitement," Cutcliffe said. "They are going to be receiving a lot of information and meeting a lot of people over the next two days and that can cause anxiety. I'm sure they will tell you they are excited to start their college careers."
Before they see the practice fields for the first time on Monday, Aug. 5, the players and their parents have orientation sessions over the weekend.
"The players and their families will have academic orientation this weekend," said Cutcliffe. "The newcomers will also have physicals and equipment fitting this weekend, and we'll be on the field Monday morning."
Cutcliffe announced that three members of the 2002 signing class -- Larrick Womack, Brodrick Cross and Brandon Jenkins -- will not report because they did not meet initial eligibility certification. Also, signees who did not report on Friday were Nate Banks, Jayme Mitchell and Jamal Pittman pending final certification.
Four non-scholarship players joined the signees in reporting Friday. Those players were Donny Moran of Kiln, Miss. (Hancock HS), Michael Evans of Madison, Miss. (Madison Central HS), Matt Pierce of Mobile, Ala. (UMS-Wright Prep), and Marvin Vaughan of Canton, Miss. (Holmes C.C.; Velma Jackson HS).
Three members of the 2002 class - Keith Houston, Ronald McClendon and Jeremy Ruffin - enrolled at Ole Miss in January and participated with the Rebels during spring drills. Those three will report to campus Tuesday, Aug. 6 with the squad's upperclassmen.
Although the numbers are small in the 2002 signing class, Cutcliffe expects the newcomers to make an imprint on the Rebel program.
"We know this class is not large in numbers, but these players will fill our needs," Cutcliffe said. "All will have a great chance to impact this program in a positive way."
Ole Miss opens its 2002 campaign Aug. 31 against Louisiana-Monroe. Kickoff for the season opener is 6:00 p.m. (CT) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field.
