4-star ATH Diwun Black commits to Ole Miss

It was no secret that the Ole Miss defense was a big reason why the Rebels failed to make a bowl game for the first time under Hugh Freeze and why they struggled to barely win six games in 2017. But, the 2019 class is off to a fantastic start with another addition and this time it’s four-star athlete Diwun Black from Forest, Miss.

The do-it-all playmaker originally chose to commit to Mississippi State back in September, but the Rebels clawed their way back into contention and have flipped him after he decommitted from Joe Moorhead and Co. Despite early offers from Florida, Tennessee and Southern Cal, Black chose to stay in-state and join the #MississippiMade movement.

He also holds offers from Arkansas, Florida, Marshall, South Alabama, Tennessee, UT-San Antonio, and UAB. And that offer list should grow in the coming year before signing day. He primarily plays safety and some wide receiver at Forest High School but he will eventually move down a level to linebacker if he continues to grow at the rate he is now.

As a sophomore, the nation’s No. 8 athlete recorded 76 total tackles, 55 of those were solo and seven tackles for a loss. Black also snagged 12 interceptions, scoring on three of them, and defended six passes. The No. 3 player in the Magnolia State also was a factor on offense, running and throwing for a TD.

This past year as a junior, Diwun collected 83 total tackles, four passes defended, three tackles for loss, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He also chipped in 304 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

How does he fit in?

The 6’4, 220-pounder is already an impressive specimen and he isn’t even a senior in high school. Diwun is more than likely going to be playing defense when he arrives to Oxford, but he is certainly capable of helping on offense as well. He possesses quite the skill set that allows him to stretch the defense and dwarf smaller defenders when going up and high-pointing the football or using his strong frame to shield himself from would-be defenders.

Best believe that McGriff and Jason Jones will be fighting with Jon Sumrall for who gets the newest Rebel in their room. The 6’4 rising senior does have the length to play centerfield and be a ball-hawking safety, but he also has sideline-to-sideline speed that would be a big feather in the cap for Sumrall’s linebacker corps.

Needless to say, the 2019 commit’s upside is through the proverbial roof and the Rebels will have to fend off other Power 5 programs until he puts pen to paper in a few months. In my opinion, I fully expect Black to grow into a linebacker, but if he stays at the third level, shades of Syniker Taylor will come flowing back to me.

Highlights