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About this time last year, Hugh Freeze was putting together what the recruiting sites consider to be Ole Miss' best signing class in the modern era. The Rebels' 2016 group finished No. 5 nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings and its 26 signees averaged 3.7 stars.
Fast forward through Laremy Tunsil's draft-night debacle, a restart on the NCAA's never-ending investigation and a 5-7 season, and Ole Miss recruiting has suffered a serious setback. With about three weeks to go before National Signing Day 2017, this year's class ranks no better than 40th among the major recruiting sites and the average star ranking of its 13 current commits has tumbled to 3.2.
Not that Freeze hasn't found value. Nabbing four-star Under Armour All-American Breon Dixon was a huge win, and the linebacker position has also been bolstered by the additions of three-stars Josh Clarke and Brenden Williams. Assuming four-star D.D. Bowie doesn't jump ship for FSU or Mississippi State, the four-star wideout will add even more size and athleticism to the Rebels' deep stable of pass catchers.
But Dixon and Bowie are the only composite four-stars currently committed, meaning Freeze and his new coaching staff will have to finish strong to prevent a major drop-off in talent this cycle.
Here's where Ole Miss' class ranks nationally
247Sports: 46
Rivals: 61
ESPN: 40
Scout: 51
Here's the full list of commits
Click the links for detailed scouting reports/profiles on each guy.
| Player | Star rating | ||||
| Composite | 247 | Rivals | ESPN | Scout | |
| WR D.D. Bowie | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| LB Breon Dixon | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| DE Markel Winters (JUCO) | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| LB Josh Clarke | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| S A.J. Harris | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| LB Brenden Williams (JUCO) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| CB Jamar Richardson | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| CB Javien Hamilton (JUCO) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| QB Alex Faniel | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| QB Jordan Ta'amu (JUCO) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| DE Larell Murchison | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | NR |
| OT Ben Brown | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| OG Lavante Epson | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| DE Ryder Anderson | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Total commitments: 13 | Average composite star rating: 3.2