.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
State's Top Recruiting Class Arrives On Campus
8/4/2011 | Football
Aug. 4, 2011
OXFORD. Miss. - A total of 26 new Rebels, including 19 members of the state's top recruiting class, were welcomed to the Ole Miss football program Thursday, as newcomers reported for the start of preseason camp.
Notable amongst the list is a school-record four U.S. Army All-Americans in wide receivers Nickolas Brassell and Tobias Singleton, offensive lineman Ethan Hutson and linebacker C.J. Johnson. Brassell, Singleton and Johnson were among Mississippi's top five high school players - all of which inked with the Rebels and are now on campus.
"It's just an exciting group, and it sends a message about the kind of recruiting year we had," said Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt. "This can be the group that makes this team special, and if they stay here together the next four or five years, it can be really special."
Of the 19 signees, 17 attended summer school and have already been working out with the team. Those enrolled for first summer term included Justin Bell, Chief Brown, Serderius Bryant, Uriah Grant, Mitch Hall, Woodrow Hamilton, Hutson, Johnson, Donte Moncrief, Collins Moore, Aaron Morris, Cody Prewitt and T.J. Worthy, while second session attendees were Brassell, Senquez Golson, Keith Lewis and Jamal Mosley.
"We asked all of them to get here by May 27, and that's hard to do, to graduate May 23 or 24 and then get here for that first session," Nutt said. "But it shows the drive they had to get here, to get all the papers filled out, your high school transcript, finals and now get here as a college student to work out with (Strength) Coach (Don) Decker. I think that sends a huge message. They know we're counting on them, and that's why we recruited them."
Other newcomers arriving today included Tyler Baker, Tanner Burns, Sam Cox, Ryan Nowicki, Taylor Rotenberry, Charlie Scott and Zarold Wilder.
Nutt also noted that with signee Denzel Nkemdiche that he "expects for him to be here soon."
The Rebel varsity players will report to fall camp Friday, while practice begins Saturday. Preseason drills the first week will be open to the public on the practice fields and in the stadium, beginning Saturday (Aug. 6) through Saturday (Aug. 13). The first seven practices will begin at 4:30 p.m. each day, while the time of the Saturday, Aug. 13 workout will be announced at a later date.
If the team's practice moves into the Indoor Practice Facility (due to rain or heat), practice closes to fans.
The National Weather Service has currently issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Lafayette County. Fans should be mindful of these weather conditions, and please visit the website for the National Weather Service for the latest advisories.
