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Ole Miss recruiting: Can the new No. 1 player in Mississippi get a 5th star?

The big man from Macon, Miss. was vying for a fourth star this summer, but Jeffery Simmons doesn't want to stop there. He's now pushing for five-star status. Will he get there?

By Zach Berry
Student Sports

Before the summer started, a lot of people in the Magnolia State knew about Noxubee County High School defensive end Jeffery Simmons. A lot of people in the state knew about his potential and his upside as a possible difference maker at the next level. But, now, the folks inside the state are not the only ones taking notice.

The four-star, strong side defensive end has exploded onto the scenes as the newly-minted No. 1 player in the state according to Scout. Once just a household name in the Sip, offers are pouring in from everywhere including Alabama, Auburn and LSU. Along with the two in-state schools, everyone else is starting to realize the potential of Simmons isn't just college level potential, it's game-changing Power 5 college level potential.

Simmons, who stands 6'4 and tips the scales at 270-pounds, has started off his 2015 campaign with quite the bang as he already has 34 tackles and seven sacks in two games. Both of those games were against 6A competition. He was nearly unblockable all summer on the camp circuit with his quick get off and bear-like strength and it is now being shown on the field. In my eyes, he reminds me a lot of Isaac Gross, but in a much larger package. He flashes that same quickness off the ball that Gross has become known for and he finishes plays with authority. There is no timetable on when Simmons will make his decision, but the Rebels are in the the middle of it with Alabama and Mississippi State.

Knott recovering nicely from surgery

It did not take long for four-star defensive back Nigel Knott to get back into the limelight after his torn meniscus surgery. The No. 2 cornerback in the country according to Rivals was taking in some Friday night football action last week and couldn't help himself once the camera started rolling.

As you can see, Knott seems to be doing just fine while in "recovery" from his torn meniscus surgery. Now that that is over with, it is time for the 6'0, 170-pound Under Armour All-American to start getting back into playing shape. Knott nearly took home the Nike SPARQ title while in Oregon for the Opening and he was well on his way to possibly becoming the top corner in the country and earning himself a fifth star. But, for now, Knott will be looking to get back into shape and gearing up for the stretch run of his senior year. Until then, it looks as if he will be in Oxford this weekend taking in the Rebels clash with UT-Martin.

Versatile Jones knows of three favorites

Another four-star defensive lineman/offensive lineman likes Ole Miss, Alabama and Mississippi State. Four-star Kobe Jones from Starkville High School spoke with Chad Simmons about his recruitment and what he likes about each school. He didn't declare a leader but said he knows that those three are his favorites for sure. The 6'4, 270-pound Starkville, Miss. native is a very versatile player for the Yellowjackets. He starts on both sides of the ball in the trenches and could potentially play either one at the next level.

Despite being in the hometown of Clanga Nation, he consistently mentions the Rebels and the Tide when discussing the status of his recruitment. Jones shows flashes of brilliance on the offensive line using his quickness and aggression to get out on the perimeter and finish blocks, but he will more than likely find his home on the defensive side of the ball as a defensive tackle or a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

DC connection brewing?

You don't hear of many kids from the District of Columbia making their way to Oxford, Miss. to continue their education and play college football. But, that could change very soon. Four-star defensive end Terrell Hall of St. John's College High School really likes what he's hearing from SEC schools and he's added Ole Miss to that list of possible suitors. The 6'5, 251-pounder spoke with Adam Friedman of Rivals and filled him in on where he stands with the SEC schools.

Hall possesses elite length which allows him to dictate the run game and the pass game. The Under Armour All-American holds 32 offers from plenty of big-time programs and will be looking to add a threat off the edge. Hall uses his length to keep offensive lineman at bay while finding the ball carrier and to swim, rip and bull rush through prospective blockers to pursue the quarterback. As of now, it appear that Alabama, Penn State and Rutgers are in the lead for his commitment, but don't ever count out Chris Kiffin.