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Ole Miss football recruiting has started to ramp up after Matt Luke received 15(!) commitments from recruits in the month of June. Now, his #SHARKSEA20N movement is expanding north of the border and into Middle Tennessee now that four-star cornerback De’Arre McDonald has verbally committed to the Rebels.
The nation’s No. 29 cornerback chose to join the 2020 class despite interest and offers from several Power 5 teams. The Oakland High School product currently holds offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Purdue, South Carolina, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
McDonald is the 22nd commit in this cycle’s class and gives the Rebs a second impact corner, joining four-star Eric Reed Jr. Ole Miss is now ranked 13th in 247Sports team rankings with the addition of McDonald, their 5th four-star in the 2020 class.
With this commitment, new Ole Miss linebackers coach Tyrone Nix has knocked down his first domino in his East Tennessee territory. He was previously covering that area when he was at Virginia Tech and now he is hammering away over there, battling with Clemson, Georgia, Virginia, and in-state SEC program, Tennessee.
McDonald could potentially be an instant impact guy with the combination of his size and speed. As a junior, the Murfreesboro native finished with 38 tackles, seven pass breakups, six interceptions, and four tackles for loss for the 14-1 6A state champ Oakland Patriots.
Despite De’Arre being the 22nd commit in the 2020 class, do not fret about numbers. This class will most likely be a full one and there is always going to be attrition within a commitment list AND on the 85-man roster. This staff has a plan and they are sticking to it. And included in that plan is making it work when other four and potential five-star recruits come calling, wanting to join Ole Miss’ class.
How does he fit in?
The 6’0, 187-pound corner is a long and rangy play-maker. He is able to read quarterbacks’ eyes, high-point the football in one-on-one coverage, and can turn into an offensive player when he forces a turnover and gets in the open-field. The Opening Finals selection and No. 12 player in the Volunteer State has the height and athleticism you want in a corner for today’s SEC grind and spread offenses. I think he could be an instant impact guy in 2020 once he arrives.
Jaylon Jones will be gone after 2019 and the 6A All-State selection will have ample opportunities along with Jamar Richardson, JaKorey Hawkins, Keidron Smith, Jalen Jordan, and the aforementioned Reed to gobble up some playing time in Charles Clark’s defensive backfield.