Ole Miss football recruiting: nWo is reloading again in 2019

The 2019 Ole Miss recruiting class is certainly offense heavy. And the bickering for more defensive help is valid. I’m with you. But, the offensive class that is already in the boat is outstanding. Matt Luke and his staff (if certain folks are there in 2019) will have no problem replacing receivers DaMarkus Lodge and A.J. Brown and potentially D.K. Metcalf.

A trio of blue-chips are coming in with plenty of hype and there’s another three-star that you shouldn’t sleep on. Four-stars Jonathan Mingo and Dannis Jackson are joined by three-stars Jadon Jackson and Jordan Jernigan as receivers coach Jacob Peeler’s latest crop of nWo, throwin’ up the X studs who are ready to step in and replace the aforementioned pass-catchers.

Jonathan Mingo is the next A.J. Brown.

The next big thing for the nWo is the young man from Brandon. The No. 193rd-ranked player in the country is every bit of 6’2 and 200-pounds and has almost identical mannerisms to the Starkville Mayor on the field. In fact, the Brandon Bulldogs are still alive in the 6A playoffs because of Mr. Mingo.

The No. 29 receiver in the country has collected 1,293 yards through the air this year and 14(!) touchdowns en route to a 13-1 record. His physical play in the slot (sounds familiar) and the outside as well have been a key cog for Brandon this season when they not only need six to win a game, but whenever they need to move the chains. It will be interesting to see where the Under Armour All-American fits in next season in Peeler’s room because of his versatility.

Dannis Jackson should step in and be the next outside star.

The No. 109th-ranked player in the country, who is a former Mississippi State commit, reminds me a ton of Lodge and is asked to do just about everything for the Sumrall (Miss.) Bobcats. The Under Armour All-American will be just asked to catch passes and outrun defensive backs in Oxford, but he was a dynamic play maker for Sumrall all fall and could be a multi-faceted play maker in Oxford as well.

The 6’1, 187-pounder played quarterback his senior season and tossed it for 1,071 yards and nine touchdowns while also running for 1,444 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is an absolute terror in the open field and can get to top speed in just a few steps. He has done a tremendous job of getting in the weight room and putting on good weight while still maintaining speed, which could aid him in seeing the field early and often in 2019.

Don’t sleep on Jadon Jackson.

The Rebels went out and stole a Natural State pass-catcher from Chad Morris and Arkansas when they received a commitment from Mr. Jackson earlier this fall. The No. 55 receiver in the country chose to join Mingo, Jackson, and Jernigan and will be someone that is going to surprise a lot of folks in my opinion.

To me, he reminds me a little of both Quincy Adeboyejo and Vince Sanders. At 6’2 and 180-pounds, he has the frame to manage bigger defenders but also has the speed to blow right by them. He is having a big year for Bentonville and they are still alive in the 7A playoffs, thanks in large part to his 847 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.

His skill set lends the ability to use him in a multitude of ways and I for one am excited to see how whoever the offensive coordinator is in 2019 uses him on Saturdays. Whether it is out wide going deep, running a post when matched up against a safety, or taking a pop pass or hand off on a reverse, Jadon is going to be a force.

Jordan Jernigan is another sleeper who will surprise you.

The three-star Tupelo product has been committed to the Rebels since last year’s Egg Bowl and he has stuck with it despite the NCAA investigation and the up-and-down-and-down 2018 season. The 6’1 193-pounder fought through injuries his senior year for the Golden Wave, catching 24 passes for 469 yards and three touchdowns. He also racked up 268 kick return yards as well.

Oregon offered him earlier this year but to no avail as Jordan was steadfast with his commitment to Matt Luke and it appears that he will be signing with Ole Miss early and getting to campus in January. The Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game participant has the frame and hands to be a key contributor for Peeler and the nWo.