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Ole Miss recruiting 2016: Shea Patterson was robbed of a game-tying TD

Introducing a new post where we catch you up on each of the Rebels' 2016 commits and how they did in their high school games.

By Zach Berry
Student Sports

Since Red Cup is always on the cutting edge of #content and enhancing the #brand of Ole Miss sports coverage, we feel it's necessary to update everyone on how the 2016 football class is doing in their respective high school games week in and week out. We know that this'll be something that will help you get through the mornings on Mondays and will give you great water cooler fodder.

We'll keep you up to date on certain things like how many people DeKaylin Metcalf is destroying in the red zone when some poor soul is in single coverage with him, when Shea Patterson is carving up secondaries all over the country and when Justin Connor is running back pick sixes then turning around and scooting 80-yards for a rushing touchdown.

Shea Patterson, 5-star QB

In IMG Academy's "preseason scrimmage opener" against American Heritage (Fla.), Patterson's squad looked exactly how you would expect an all-star team that's never played together before look. The offensive line struggled, the defense tackled poorly and the receivers dropped a lot of passes. Although it technically didn't count, IMG fell to the Patriots 19-7. On the final drive, the 6'2, 195-pound signal caller led his team the length of the field in less than a minute and tossed a touchdown to Ole Miss target Drake Davis for the tying score, but it was called back due to holding.

Nevertheless, Patterson finished with 218 yards on 18-of-35 passing and had the Ascenders' lone score with a five-yard scamper into the red zone.

Next game: Sunday, August 30th, 1 p.m. CT vs. Miramar (Fla.) on ESPNU

Benito Jones, 5-star DT

Jones and his Wayne County (Miss.) bros are now 1-0 on the season after defeating Warren Central (Miss.) 42-28. The 6'2, 260-pound defensive tackle tallied six tackles, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. Despite most scouts saying that he's a tad too short to be a legitimate game-changer at the next level, Jones continues to produce and in a big way.

There's no doubt that Chris Kiffin is excited to get the big man to campus and he'll be candidate No. 1 to replace Isaac Gross next season.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 6 p.m. CT at Oak Grove (Miss.)

DeKaylin Metcalf, 4-star WR

Metcalf's Oxford Chargers dominated Southaven (Miss.) to the tune of 35-0. The four-star Ole Miss commit finished with eight receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. DeKaylin is an absolute monster (6'3, 195-pounds) and the DeSoto county squad was no match for him. He was all over the field, snagging footballs out of the air and blocking downfield to help a familiar name (Mike Bianco's son, Ben) rush for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 8 p.m. CT vs Starkville (Miss.) on ESPNU

Octavious Cooley, 4-star TE

Mr. Cooley had himself a quiet night for Laurel (Miss.) due to constant attention from the Quitman (Miss.) defense, but still collected two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. The 6'3, 220-pound, athletic big man will likely be on the receiving end of constant double teams all season, but will be counted on to lead the Tornadoes to another state title.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 7 p.m. CT vs. Hattiesburg (Miss.)

Bryce Mathews, 4-star OL

Mathews and his Brentwood Academy (Tenn.) teammates didn't have much competition Friday night against Olive Branch (Miss.) as they drubbed them to the tune of 48-6. The 6'6, 280-pound offensive tackle and his fellow linemen helped the offense rack up over 300 yards of total offense.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 7 p.m. CT vs. Trinity (Ky.)

Justin Connor, 4-star RB/DB

Although North Panola (Miss.) lost its season opener to Rosa Fort (Miss.), Connor had himself a helluva night playing both ways. Connor (5'10, 190) toted the rock 21 times for 127 yards and a touchdown. On the other side of the ball, the four-star athlete collected four tackles, one forced fumble and one pass break-up.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 7 p.m. CT at Coahoma Agricultural (Miss.)

Charles Wiley, 4-star DE

There wasn't much offense for Central (Ala.) thanks in large part to Mr. Wiley and his Stockbridge (Ga.) defense. The four-star defensive end collected two sacks against the Red Devils and helped hold them to seven points in the Tigers' 13-7, last-second win. The 6'3, 254-pound terror was living in the Central backfield all night and destroying the offensive gameplan.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 7:30 p.m. CT vs. Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (Ga.)

Gabe Angel, 4-star TE

Angel helped his Cookeville (Tenn.) teammates overcome a 20-0 deficit early to come back and snag a 34-26 road victory over Upperman (Tenn.). The star tight end was a factor on both sides of the ball as he helped to lead the huge comeback to start his season off 1-0. Angel (6'3, 212) was a huge target for Cookeville on offense (four catches for 85 yards and a touchdown) and also an impact player for them on defense (four tackles, two pass break-ups).

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 7 p.m. CT vs. Livingston Academy

Chandler Tuitt, 3-star OL

There was plenty of offense in the Sandy Creek (Ga.) opener as Tuitt and the Patriots throttled the Creekview (Ga.) Grizzlies 41-0. The 6'3, 294-pound offensive lineman led the Sandy Creek offensive attack up front, churning out 211 yards rushing and 375 yards of offense.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 7:30 p.m. CT vs. Jonesboro (Ga.)

Eli Johnson, 3-star OL

The Lafayette (Miss.) Commodores traveled north to Horn Lake (Miss.) to dominate 34-7 in the season opener. Johnson and his fellow big uglies helped Lafayette jumped out to a 21-0 lead at halftime thanks to three rushing touchdowns. The 6'3, 294-pound offensive lineman looked impressive in his first action since tearing his ACL in 2014.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 7 p.m. CT vs. Clayton (Mo.)

Donta Evans, 3-star LB

Evans and Archer (Ga.) friends lived up to the preseason No. 1 hype as they destroyed the North Paulding (Ga.) Wolfpack 49-21. The linebacker (6'1, 230-pounds) helped the defense hold NP to 66 yards rushing for the game and five (yes, five) yards of total offense in the second half.

Next game: Saturday, August 29th, 7 p.m. CT vs. Peachtree Ridge (Ga.)

Jarrion Street, 3-star RB

Street and Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) lost a heartbreaker on Friday as the visiting Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.) Big Red came away with a 21-16 win. But, the 6'1, 195-pound running back did romp for 145 yards and a touchdown against one of the better football programs in the Volunteer State.

Next game: Friday, August 28th, 7 p.m. CT vs. Gardendale (Ala.)

EDITOR'S NOTE: those not listed did not play