Ole Miss football recruiting: Rebels hosting three official visitors this weekend

The dead period is over and Lane Kiffin wasted little time capitalizing on it, receiving a commitment from four-star running back Henry Parrish. And it appears that Kiffin and staff may not be done at the running back position as they are still in the Zachary Evans Sweepstakes as of this writing, going head-to-head with Georgia for the five-star’s signature.

On to this weekend, though, the Rebels will entertain just three official visitors, seemingly focusing their efforts on flipping two and snagging another for the secondary.

So without further ado, here is who, per sources, is in town this weekend:

4-star Donovan Kaufman

Overall rank: 185
Safety rank: 11
Hometown: Metairie, La.

The long-time Vanderbilt commit was originally going to visit Baylor this weekend but has switched that official to Oxford this weekend. The Archbishop Rummel product seems to be down to the Dores, Rebels, and the Seminoles of Florida State.

The 5’11, 192-pounder had 112 tackles this year, nine tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, four interceptions, and three pass break-ups. Kaufman is a play-maker who is virtually all over the field at all times. The Rebels need a boost in that aspect in the secondary and Kaufman brings that and a ton of swagger.

Ole Miss has a really good shot to flip him here, in my opinion.

4-star Leonard Manuel

Overall rank: N/A
Wide receiver rank: 48
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The Polynesian Bowl All-American has been committed to the Gators and Dan Mullen for over a year, but once Kevin Smith was hired at Ole Miss, he immediately became interested in the Rebels. Manuel is a big-bodied receiver, standing 6’5 and 200-pounds and would be an immediate impact dude in the receiver room.

As a senior at Stranahan High School, he collected 645 receiving yards and nine touchdowns for the Dragons. His frame gives him lots of options once he gets out of his break. He is strong at the line of scrimmage but also plucks the ball out of the air with ease when going up against smaller defensive backs.

This is something the Rebels have been missing since the days of D.K. Metcalf, Laquon Treadwell, A.J. Brown, and Damore’ea Stringfellow have come and gone. Something else to keep in mind? He was supposed to officially visit Florida this weekend and now he will be in Oxford.

3-star Mike Harris

Overall rank: N/A
Safety rank: N/A
Hometown: Phenix City, Ala.

The former Arkansas commit re-opened his recruitment once Chad Morris and Co. were relieved of their duties on The Hill and he will be in town this weekend. As of now, he doesn’t seem to have any other visit plans and that could bode well for Ole Miss here if they were to seal the deal after his official.

Harris is a legit 4.5 dude who can really cover some ground in the secondary. He reminds me a bit of former Rebel Trae Elston. Tons of swagger, not afraid to come downhill and deliver a blow, and can defend the pass. Central High School in Phenix City is an outstanding program in the Yellowhammer State and it never hurts to be in the good graces of a respected prep program like that.

Stay locked in here for any changes or additions throughout the weekend because remember y’all...

Recruiting never stops.