Ole Miss recruiting: Florida QB commit to visit Ole Miss this weekend

Now that Ole Miss has given seniors who seek a transfer their full release and underclassmen the chance to seek a waiver from the NCAA to not have to sit out a year, it appears that the rumors of former five-star and starting quarterback Shea Patterson could in fact be true. And with that, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach is already on to the next one, searching for someone to be Jordan Ta’amu’s back up in 2018 and the starter in 2019.

In comes four-star Florida commit and Elite 11 finalist, Matt Corral. The news broke Monday night when 247Sports’ Tom Loy reported that the nation’s No. 54 player would visit Oxford this weekend to hear what Longo and new head coach Matt Luke had to say. The Long Beach Poly product has been a Gator commit since July, so what changed?

Well, me thinks it might have something to do with new Florida head coach Dan Mullen and his spread offense power run game. If I had to put money on it, I would venture to say that Corral (6’2, 196-pounds) is not too keen on toting the rock 14 times a game like Nick Fitzgerald did in 2017. The U.S. Army All-American would much rather spin it and have fun dancing in the end zone with big, fast receivers.

In steps Phil Longo. The Air Power Run Raid (it’s what we’re calling it now) that Ole Miss ran so damn effectively in 2017 is much more appealing to a quarterback who tossed the pill for 10,178 yards 103 touchdowns during his high school career. So why is Longo and Luke all of a sudden in on this No. 3 rated pro-style kid from California?

It appears to be no secret that Ole Miss is going after committed kids who are going through coaching changes themselves. The Rebels are quite familiar what uncertainty does to a program and to a young kid’s mind, so strategically Luke and his staff are targeting those that are mulling over their decisions from months ago and dwelling on the topic of “do I fit in that offense” or “can I see myself going there for the next 3-to-4 years”. It’s not the worst strategy. And hey, you’ve now got a kid coming to campus to watch film of Patterson and Ta’amu lighting up the SEC with the help of the nWo.

Not a bad sales pitch.

Ole Miss offers another 2018 QB.

Speaking of quarterback play, Longo and Ole Miss extended an offer to three-star pro-style quarterback Carter Bradley from Jacksonville, Fla. The No. 15 rated pro-style quarterback in the country plays his prep ball for the Providence School and is flying somewhat under the radar right now.

He is receiving the most attention from Toledo, Florida International, and Florida Atlantic, but he also holds offers from UConn, East Carolina, Georgia State, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisville, Marshall, Mercer, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, South Florida, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

At 6’3, 208-pounds Bradley would have the ideal size to step in after Ta’amu to run the offense. He is a big-bodied signal caller with a pretty quick release and some incredible zip on the ball. He can really spin it between the hashes and has a nice deep ball with good accuracy. If things don’t work out with some of other targets Longo has on his board, the Elite 11 regional finalist would be a nice consolation prize.

Rebels zeroing in on a UCLA defector.

Four-star safety Cam’ron Jones had been a UCLA Bruin commit for nine months, but it decided it was time to branch back out and explore his options Monday night. And who was there earlier this week to check in and see how things were going before this happened?

The 6’0, 200-pounder from Mansfield, Tex. is a big-bodied safety that can play inside the box and cover folks downfield. The No. 23 safety in the country is someone who will attack the run with some attitude, laying the wood on running backs trying to break into the clear or slot receivers coming over the middle trying to get a first down. As we mentioned above, his coverage ability downfield is assisted by his blistering 4.5 speed (runs track in the spring).

Defensive backs coach Jason Jones spent the weekend in Texas doing some recruiting last weekend but he saw Jones twice. It appears he has become priority number one for Ole Miss. And for good reason, Cam holds an offer from local Power 5 teams like Baylor and Oklahoma. If the Rebels were to sway him to join the 2018 class, that would be a humongous feather in Luke’s proverbial cap.

As it stands right now, Jones’ 247Sports Crystal Ball currently has Ole Miss (38 percent) in the lead over Oklahoma (25 percent). He will officially visit Oxford the last weekend in January, which is almost always a very good sign.

Big-time defensive end target took an official visit to Oxford.

Four-star strong-side defensive end Kayode Oladele visited the Velvet Ditch over the weekend and SURPRISE he had a good time. The nation’s No. 14 ranked defensive end at his position met with defensive line coach Freddie Roach and head coach Luke during his time to see how he feels about the newly-minted #MississippiMade Ole Miss.

The big fella from Miami, Fla. has camped at Ole Miss twice before but this time he came for an official visit and got the private tour of the facilities, the campus, and saw the sights and sounds of The Square.

The 6’4, 235-pounder from Champagnat Catholic School racked up 56 tackles and six sacks in just six games this past season, but he is still very raw in regards to technique and is still somewhat growing into his large body as a football player. But, make no mistake about it, he is a force. With some patience and plenty of coaching from Roach and assistant coach and former NFL Pro Bowler Derrick Burgess, he could be someone who can challenge Marquis Haynes for that sack record, if he signs with the Rebels in February.

Auburn leads for his services according to 247, but Ole Miss is trying to make up some ground quickly.

Jacob Peeler is hot after a FSU decommit.

Three-star wide receiver Antoine Green has just backed off his verbal pledge to Florida State and is now back on the market. And you best believe wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler is hot on the trail. It was actually last week in fact that the Ole Miss assistant was in-home with the talented receiver, checking in on how things are going.

This is just another example of how Ole Miss is somewhat turning the tables on folks. After dealing with coaches recruiting commits and targets while Ole Miss was going through their own uncertainty, now they are doing the same to others. Jimbo Fisher has just left Tallahassee to take over at Texas A&M, so Peeler and Ole Miss are now knocking on that door to get a word in with the former Seminole commit.

The 6’2, 195-pounder from Rockledge, Fla. is a long, fast receiver that operates inside and outside. He is a smooth route runner and gets in and out of breaks with ease. The No. 80 receiver in the country appears larger than 195-pounds and he carries it well. His speed is sneaky, gliding through the secondary and running away from defenders after the catch.

Peeler still has some work to do to secure a commitment and/or a signature. Green currently holds offers from Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCF, USF, and Wake Forest.