Ole Miss football recruiting: The RB room is only going to get better

Three-star running back commit Kentrel Bullock committed to the Rebels back in early June. The Columbia High School product doesn’t have an extensive offer list by any means, but he was a camp offer that was evaluated in person by the staff and that was enough for them to extend a verbal offer and he accepted and committed shortly after.

Since committing, the No. 21 player in the state of Mississippi is making mincemeat of the competition in 2019. After running for a combined 2,226 yards and 27 touchdowns the last two years, Bullock picked right back up where he left off this season. He only had to touch the football five times for just 75 yards and two touchdowns in a week one win over Mendenhall (Miss.), but since then, he has toted it 40 times for 612 yards in his last three contests, scoring 10 touchdowns on the ground.

The 5’10, 195-pounder has been downright dynamic for the Wildcats this season. Bullock is a legit 4.4 runner with plenty of punch behind that home run speed. Last week, he rushed for 284 yards and three touchdowns, including a 91-yard touchdown run, in a 32-14 win over North Pike (Miss.), bringing his season yards per carry average to 15.3(!).

I expect his offer sheet to grow as the high school continues to go on, but Ole Miss seems to be in good position with the Marion County product.

Jabari Small and Omari Thomas help lead Briarcrest to landmark victory.

We have talked about the Memphis duo plenty this year on #TheNetwork Files, but last Friday was huge for them and the Saints program. In the program’s first win ever over Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.), Small ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns, adding to his rushing touchdown total which now sits at 11.

The Ole Miss commit is just as dangerous outside of the backfield. He is utilized as a kick and punt returner as well as a pass-catcher, helping him collect over 700 yards of all-purpose yards in just four games.

Thomas, a four-star defensive tackle target, plays both ways for the Saints, but will be on defense at the next level. Ole Miss is recruiting him as a defensive tackle who would ideally come in and replace the snaps that Benito Jones is getting right now.

The 6’5, 300-pounder holds notable offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas A&M among others. But, as it stands right now, I think Ole Miss is sitting in a good spot with the nation’s No. 9 defensive tackle prospect.

Both Small and Thomas made the trip to Oxford for the Arkansas game, taking in the atmosphere in the Grove before and enjoying the game from the stands in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. I expect them to both make the trip back to Oxford for the Cal game this weekend.

Oxford’s do-it-all athlete continues to impress.

Four-star athlete J.J. Pegues played a huge part in the Chargers’ Crosstown Classic victory. Pegues and Oxford have now won three-straight over Lafayette (Miss.) and seven of the last eight. In the 2019 edition, the No. 8 athlete in the country contributed 48 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the 48-7 win.

Pegues appears to be down to Auburn and Ole Miss, visiting Auburn twice since the start of the year and making the quick drive down University Ave. to see the Rebels five times. Much like Thomas, I think the Rebels hold the lead here over the Tigers, but secondaries coach and former Reb Marcus Woodson presents quite the challenge for tight ends coach Calvin Magee and coach Matt Luke, making this one an interesting one to keep an eye on.

As it stands right now, his 247 Crystal Ball is a tie between the Tigers and Rebels.