Ole Miss recruiting: Cam Akers continues his Tour de Force

He needed overtime to do it, but five-star running back Cam Akers got revenge for Clinton’s only slip up this year, defeating Warren Central 27-21 last Friday. The No. 1 player in the Magnolia State was once again the man of the hour, collecting 390 total yards (254 on the ground) and three touchdowns.

The Arrows are now 12-1 and will play Madison Central this week for the 6A North Half Title and for a spot in the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Gridiron Classic at Davis Wade Stadium (6A Championship Game).

The No. 5 player in the country according to 247Sports has been fairly reserved throughout his recruitment, playing things close to the proverbial vest. He released a top 10 earlier this summer and things have been swinging back and forth between four teams: Florida State, LSU, Michigan and Ole Miss.

But, Scout’s Chad Simmons is saying that Akers’ upcoming trip to Oxford for the Egg Bowl is huge for the Rebels’ chances, even more so after the No. 2 running back in the country cancelled his Michigan trip last weekend. Simmons says that the 5’11, 213-pounder “loves his home state” and “he has visited Oxford more than anywhere else”. He also stated that “this will be his chance to ask questions” and it will be the “Rebels' chance to give him answers”. Not a bad idea since there is STILL an NCAA investigation looming.

The Rebels’ top target is wanting to graduate early and make his decision either in December or at the U.S. Army All-America Bowl in San Antonio in January. As it stands now, 247Sports’ Crystal Ball has Ole Miss tied with Ohio State for Akers signature.

A 5-star OL target will be deciding soon.

Five-star offensive lineman Trey Smith has been on Ole Miss’ board for quite some time now. Hugh Freeze and Co. offered the 6’6, 299-pounder when he was a freshman and entertained him several times in Oxford on unofficial visits. But, despite the frequent trips and solid relationship, he has since started to favor the in-state Vols (Crystal Ball at 100 percent).

The No. 5 offensive tackle in the country was supposed to travel north to South Bend to visit Notre Dame but ended up cancelling the trip, possibly eliminating the Irish from contention. Now, Scout’s Chad Simmons is reporting that Smith will be making his decision on December 6th and it appears that it is coming down to Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

The Under Armour All-American would be someone who could immediately impact the offensive line rotation in Oxford and would add to an already stout depth chart that includes former five-star Greg Little and former four-stars Alex Givens, Bryce Mathews, Javon Patterson and Rod Taylor. Simmons still thinks that the Vols are the favorite but it is going to be closer thank the experts think.

Ole Miss offered a former Michigan signee.

The Rebels continue to hit the ground crootin in Scooba, Miss. and have offered Brian Cole, a former four-star Under Armour All-American. The 2015 athlete signed with the Wolverines after having a stellar senior season at Heritage High School in Saginaw, Mich. Cole opted to leave Michigan after playing three games as a receiver and ended up at East Mississippi Community College. Now, Scout’s Yancy Porter is reporting the 6’2, 200-pound JUCO standout will be making his way to Oxford in December.

The sophomore at EMCC is having a fantastic year for the Lions. In 10 games, he has helped lead them to a 10-1 record, a No. 3 ranking and a MACJC title. Cole has collected 48 tackles and forced three fumbles heading into the Mississippi Bowl against Kilgore College out of Texas. Despite not having a gaudy offer list right now (Ole Miss and Oregon State), his sheet in high school was outstanding (Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan State and Nebraska among others). Cole was ranked as the No. 5 athlete in the country and the No. 65 overall recruit in the 2015 class according to 247Sports.