Bryce Mathews to Ole Miss: 4-star OT sends in his LOI

Bryce Mathews has officially signed with Ole Miss. the No. 23 tackle in the country, is signing with Ole Miss, and he isn't even the top rated tackle on the board. That's pretty nuts, given the problems the Rebels have had recruiting that position in the past.

Yes, Mathews has sent in his Letter of Intent. Mathews reported other offers from Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and others. The 6'5, 280-pound prospect committed to Ole miss in July, however, and never looked back. It's difficult for me to evaluate offensive linemen since I admittedly don't know a lot of the nuances about blocking technique, but I will say that he looks quite strong and carries his 280 pounds pretty well. He's not a fat guy.

It will take time for Mathews to become accustomed to SEC play after spending his high school career playing in a private school league in Tennessee, but he has the frame and (apparently) skills to be an appealing prospect in college.

How does he fit in?

Mathews is the second-highest rated tackle in Ole Miss' class, joining Greg Little and Royce Newman. I think all Ole Miss fans are aware of the holes left at the tackle spots with Laremy Tunsil and Fahn Cooper both gone (and both looking like NFL prospects, though obviously at different levels). They had to find players who could compete to start, and they did that. Obviously Little is nearly guaranteed a starting role, but Mathews has a shot at one as well. I imagine the coaches would like to redshirt him to work on his body, but they may not have that luxury.

Mathews is a big pick up, and he shows that the coaches realized they had a problem at the position and were finally able to address it with both top end talent and high quality depth.