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Ole Miss recruiting 2016: Run game help on the way

Sticking with the theme of running the football successfully, we take a look at the Ole Miss offensive line croots that will be in Oxford, Miss. next year and how they've done this season.

By Zach Berry
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The first thing one might think of when looking back at the Rebels' 23-3 win over the Texas A&M Aggies this past weekend was Ole Miss' ability to effectively run the football. For a team that, to be it lightly, has struggled to get the ground game going with an offensive line with no Laremy Tunsil until this past week, I see no better time than to dedicate this edition of Friday Night Lights to the big fellas up front.

First offensive line commit that we're going to look at is four-star Chandler Tuitt. The 6'4, 270-pound road grater utilizes his length to be able to engage defenders with good pad level and an impressive first step. Tuitt, who has been committed to the Rebels since the summer, has been instrumental for the Sandy Creek Patriots this season as they have raced out to a 6-2 record and have rushed the football effectively at a 197.9 yards per game clip. The Tyrone, Ga. native has helped the Patriots have two 500+ yard rushers and 23 total touchdowns on the ground.

Next game: Friday, October 30th, 7:30 p.m. CT vs Carrollton (Ga.)

4-star Bryce Mathews, OT

The big man from Music City has been a key cog for the Brentwood Academy (Tenn.) Eagles this fall as they have bounced back from an early season loss to national power Trinity (Ky.) and have reeled off seven straight wins. During this streak, Mathews' squad have out scored their instate opponents 303-65 with a well-balanced attack. The 6'5, 280-pound offensive tackle helped the Eagles put away out-of-state foe University Christian (Fla.) to the tune of 53-6. Mathews and his counterparts up front helped lead the way with two players totaling 186 yards rushing and four touchdowns along with 219 yards and three touchdowns through the air. It appears that Bryce and his teammates are well on their way a stat title in Tennessee.

Next game: Friday, October 30th, 7:00 p.m. CT vs McCallie (Tenn.)

3-star Eli Johnson, OG

The next Rebel commit who will man the trenches in Oxford, Miss. already calls it home. Eli Johnson, a 6'3, 288-pound standout at Lafayette High School, has been a mainstay on the Commodores' front line since his freshman year. Johnson is a talented interior lineman who with continued development and growth could easily find his way in the fold at the college level. The Lafayette High all-state performer is a tough fella in the trenches and is notorious for finishing blocks downfield. His mean streak and effort until the whistle has helped LHS average 239.8 yards per game and propel a back to 1,782 yards and 26 touchdowns in 10 games.

Next game: Friday, October 30th, 7:00 p.m. CT vs Byhalia (Miss.)

3-star Jack DeFoor, OG

Our final Rebel big man is the 6'4, 268-pound feller from Calhoun, Ga., Mr. DeFoor. The Calhoun High School star has the Yellowjackets sitting at an unblemished 8-0 and 6-0 in the division. Five of those eight wins, the Calhoun Jackets have scored 40 or more points and none of those games have been remotely close. DeFoor is a large, powerful lineman who plays with somewhat of a chip on his shoulder it seems. He shows the same tenacity that Johnson does as he seems to enjoy driving opponent's faces in the dirt. This is something that you can't teach and will definitely help him once he gets to Ole Miss and looks to break into the fold in Matt Luke's room.

Next game: Friday, October 30th, TBA at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe