Friday Night Highlights: Jeremy Banks is putting on a show this year

Three-star running back Jeremy Banks has still not been extended an offer from Matt Luke and his staff at this time. But, that hasn’t stopped him from ripping a gaping hole in defenses this season for the Cordova Wolves. The nation’s No. 65 ranked running back has had no qualms slicing and dicing his way to 955 yards and 14 touchdowns in just five games, but still no offer from Ole Miss. What gives?

We talked with Rebel Grove’s recruiting analyst Russell Johnson about Banks’ production and why it hasn’t lead to an offer from coach Derrick Nix, and he thinks it could only be a matter of time if he keeps it up.

“They are looking to see some consistency from him,” Johnson said. “And I think they are waiting on the other targets above him.”

In last Friday’s game against Collierville (Tenn.), the 6’2, 215-pound back ran for over 250 yards and four scores in a blowout victory. He’s averaging 9.1 yards per carry right now and almost 200 yards per game.

His 247Sports Crystal Ball right now is still 50/50 between the hometown Tigers and the Utah Utes, perhaps he is just waiting on that call from the Rebels?

Maurice Washington, III is another three-star back on the Rebels radar.

You might remember the name, in fact he has been mentioned here at FNH before. But, this name is truly one to keep an eye on as the high school season marches on. The No. 15 running back prospect in the nation has been a 100 percent prediction for the Ohio State Buckeyes for some time now on 247Sports, but Johnson thinks that ship has sailed.

At 6’0 and 175-pounds, Washington has the ideal frame to build upon. Couple that with his outstanding athleticism and prowess in the open field, he could be a huge weapon in the backfield for Ole Miss. Johnson echoed this sentiment, calling him “explosive”, and his film reflects that sentiment and then some.

The Trinity Christian recruit has been settling in to his new home in Texas after moving from California. Well, it appears that he has certainly found his way on offense. In just two games, he’s averaging 172 yards from scrimmage, chipping in on offense and special teams.

Despite moving to a new school for his senior season, his recruiting has not skipped a beat. Maurice currently holds offers from the aforementioned Buckeyes, Ole Miss, LSU, Missouri, Southern Cal, and Washington. No question, he would be a huge get for Ole Miss.

Don’t forget about Charles Strong.

The Union County product has been committed to Florida State since February, but has visited the Ole Miss campus since then. Strong came to Oxford for an elite camp earlier this summer and ended up staying the entire weekend and talking with Coach Nix and the rest of the staff.

The country’s No. 28 running back could look to the Rebels if he feels he won’t get ample touches in the Seminoles offense. Hell, by the time he arrives on campus, there will be six in the room and he will be joined by FSU commit and four-star Jashaun Corbin.

Charles is the back that most Ole Miss fans have been begging for: a big-bodied, physical runner who gets downhill in a hurry and punishes people.

Yup, that checks out.

In three games this season, Strong has rushed for 478 yards on 52 carries and punched it in six times. In my opinion, he is certainly one of the several prospects across the Southeast who are paying close attention to Ole Miss and the NCAA. If the COI hands down a favorable decision, he could possibly reconsider his commitment to Jimbo Fisher and think about coming to Ole Miss and truck-sticking people.

Only time will tell.