In his greatest recruiting coup since Robert Nkemdiche, Laquon Treadwell and Laremy Tunsil, Hugh Freeze has reeled in a lunker of a prospect in the form of The Clarion-Ledger, Mississippi's daily paper of record. The four-star prospect out of Jackson turned down offers from Dan Mullen and Mike Norvell to ink scholarship papers with Ole Miss Tuesday.
It's been long and widely known that CL leaned toward Oxford, especially after his parents' relocation from Atlanta to Jackson before his senior year of high school. His dad, now a surgeon at University of Mississippi Medical Center, is a known friend of Hugh Freeze, who's previously invited CL, Sr. along on fishing trips.
Real buzz about CL's intentions began in earnest late last year, when, speaking at his early graduation ceremony at Jackson Prep, he told a crowded auditorium that "Coach Freeze really made me feel at home. I love his sermons and parables. As soon as I got there, he made me feel like I was already a part of the family ... There's so much to do [in Oxford], and it's so beautiful. I can't imagine spending time anywhere else."
The Clarion-Ledger's announcement, made via Twitter, was as subdued and unassuming as one would expect from a gym rat who reportedly loves the film room.
Short and to the point, much like CL's approach to pass rushing, downhill running and extra point kicking, which he helps on "for the good of the team and my coaches."
It remains to be seen where exactly The Clarion-Ledger fits into Freeze's scheme, since his nose for the football could potentially benefit every position. Rivals points out that he's stronger when bursting left, but his east-west speed has many scouts talking up his abilities as a ball carrier. Whatever happens, he's too valuable and mature to let redshirt, so look for CL to contribute on both sides of the ball next season.