Will 4-star DJ Jeffries end up at Ole Miss instead of Memphis?

When highly-touted hoops prospect D.J. Jeffries de-committed from Kentucky back in July, it was a foregone conclusion in most ‘crootin circles that the four-star power forward would end up with the Memphis Tigers. Jeffries’ messy de-commitment seemed to coincide perfectly with Memphis’ hiring of Penny Hardaway, who coached Jeffries on the AAU circuit.

In early September, reports began filtering out that Jeffries’ recruitment was a three-horse race between Memphis, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Then came a report this Tuesday from Isaac Simpson of Rivals.com...

Simpson didn’t elaborate on his vague statement that Jeffries’ recruitment to Memphis “may not be so positive,” but if true, that puts the Rebels in a very real situation to haul him in. His 247Sports Crystal Ball has already dropped Memphis into a close race with the two Magnolia State schools.

Jeffries, the No. 1 overall player in Mississippi and a top-50 prospect nationally, officially visited Memphis, Oxford and Starkville back-to-back-to-back in September. His dad said last month that Jeffries will ink during the early signing period, which begins November 11th, leading to speculation that a decision could come sooner rather than later.

Former Rebels coach Andy Kennedy began recruiting him in middle school and new head coach Kermit Davis picked up where he left off and appears to have positioned the Rebs in as good a spot as any.

And please believe that Jeffries is worth the price of admission. Here’s what I wrote about him last month.

At 6’7 and 200-pounds, he runs the floor like a guard, can dish with the best of them in transition, has a steady jumper, and can leap from the free-throw line for a dunk like it’s nothing. He is equally as capable moving without the rock, spotting up for three, and rolling to the hoop for a finish with either hand. He’s an outstanding athlete who could play anywhere from the two to the four in Kermit’s system.

If Ole Miss can land Jeffries, another blue-chipper could follow.

When Jeffries made his official visit to Oxford last month, he was joined by his cousin, fellow four-star Memphis native, Chandler Lawson.

Lawson played for Penny Hardaway at Memphis East for three years but opted to transfer to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his senior year in hopes of playing an even more extensive national schedule and improving his stock as a top 100 recruit.

Kansas and Memphis are heavy favorites for the nation’s No. 77 prospect, but Ole Miss recently received a few votes on his Crystal Ball. It’s certainly good news that Lawson left his official visit to Kansas (where his brother plays) without committing.

In addition to being kin to Jeffries, Lawson is friends with Dude Collum, a three-star Memphis product who committed to Ole Miss in mid-September. It wouldn’t be too crazy to expect the three to think about playing college ball together, right?

That’s what Davis and his staff are banking on.