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The decommitment of linebacker Willie Gay two weeks ago was a body blow to an Ole Miss recruiting class that’s had trouble adding top talent in the midst of the NCAA investigation. Gay’s departure cuts the number of blue-chip Rebel commits by 50 percent; four-star wide receiver D.D. Bowie is now the only Rebel pledge rated above three stars by a major recruiting service.
The good news is that it doesn’t appear Hugh Freeze has to worry about Bowie going anywhere. Mississippi’s top wide receiver ‘croot tweeted this while on campus in Oxford last weekend:
I'm Home ‼️ #OleMiss
— DDBowie1 (@DdBowie1) October 29, 2016
That comes a couple weeks after Bowie emphatically reaffirmed his commitment.
“That’s my school. I’m going there,” the recently-named U.S. Army All-American told The Clarion-Ledger. “There ain’t no doubt.”
Five-star Walker Little is officially a U.S. Army All-American.
The nation’s No. 4 offensive tackle per the 247Sports Composite was awarded with his jersey recently at Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Tex. and will join Bowie at the prestigious all-star game on Jan. 7.
Today we are recognizing the versatility of offensive tackle Walker Little, who will bring his strength and athleticism to the #ArmyBowl. pic.twitter.com/Ed2TqnoPk3
— GoArmy (@GoArmy) October 31, 2016
The 6’8, 305-pounder recently visited Florida State for the matchup against Clemson and is now looking forward to his remaining official visits to Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Stanford. The Cardinal are presumed to be Walker’s leader, but the fact that he has two siblings at Ole Miss will keep the Rebels in contention.
When Little isn’t posing with servicemen, he’s absolutely ruining fools on Texas high school football fields.
5⭐️ OT Walker Little ( @walkerlittle45 ) is out here destroying kids. pic.twitter.com/Qy5aEWxe2F
— J.Hamilton (@JodyJoeGotFlow) October 8, 2016
Cam Akers is verified, y’all.
Ole Miss has routinely struggled to find an elite running back under Freeze, but that could change if homegrown five-star Cam Akers decides to commit. The Clinton, Miss. native has a freakish blend of size, speed and athleticism that’s earned him acknowledgment as a U.S. Army All-American and the state’s No. 1 prospect according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Those accomplishments pale in comparison to his latest achievement, though.
@thereal_cam3 My boy Cam got verified! pic.twitter.com/W9dEWk9GMs
— Briggs Comley (@bocomley16) October 21, 2016
Even former Rebel and current Indianapolis Colts receiver Donte Moncrief had to give Cam a shoutout.
@thereal_cam3 verified in high school ?? I wasn't even though of lol
— Donte Moncrief (@drm_12) October 21, 2016
Akers is being chased by the country’s elite programs, Ohio State, Florida State, LSU and Alabama. He was on campus in Tallahassee last weekend.
Speaking of top targets, Akers will go head-to-head with former Ole Miss linebacker commit Willie Gay this Friday when Clinton takes on Starkville. It should be a great battle of running backs, since Gay is apparently a running back now.
#OleMiss LB target Willie Gay played as RB for SHS tonight, rushed for 319 yards and 5 TDs in Yellowjackets 35-28 win over Warren Central.
— Dave Bevan (@DaveBevan247) October 29, 2016
Ole Miss hoops hosted some 2018 targets.
After picking up a commitment from three-star forward Jamarko Pickett last week, Andy Kennedy took advantage of the big football weekend to host a trio of 2018 recruits: three-star guard Alex Lomax and big men Logan Dye and Connor Vanover.
Lomax, a Memphis native, is the reigning Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and AAA Mr. Basketball winner. As a sophomore, he led Memphis East to a 23-2 record and averaged 13 points and six assists per game. He currently holds offers from Cal, Florida, LSU, Memphis, Ole Miss, Seton Hall and Temple.
Dye isn’t nearly as touted—the Alabama native’s only current offer is from Samford, though at 6’8, 225, expect more offers to come. He’s beginning to draw interest from Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Stanford.
Vanover is a name some might recognize after the Rebs extended an offer to him last year. The in-state Razorbacks are the early favorites to land the big man from Little Rock, who stands an incredible 7’3 at just 17 years old. His height and athleticism earned him a spot on Team USA, helping him pull in offers from the Hogs, Alabama, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. Baylor, Iowa, Kansas, LSU, Stanford and Wake Forest are also starting to pay attention to him. As a sophomore, Vanover led Arkansas Baptist High School to the 2016 4A state title while averaging 15 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks per game.