Ole Miss football recruiting: Who are the Rebels hoping to add to 2021 class in early signing period?

After back-to-back wins over Vanderbilt and South Carolina, the Ole Miss Rebels are looking to capitalize on newfound momentum heading into the early signing period on Dec. 16th.

Lane Kiffin and his staff are sitting at 16 commits right now, but are looking to add a few as they barrel towards the new year in the weirdest recruiting cycle ever. The Rebels will sign a few early enrollees, but who else are they going after in the early signing period that are committed elsewhere or undecided? Let’s take a look.

All ratings are from Rivals.com

4-star Trenilyas Tatum

Overall rank: 224
Outside linebacker rank: 13
Hometown: Jonesboro, Ga.

The South Carolina commit has been one since April, but now that Will Muschamp is gone, things could be changing. The Rebels need help up front and Tatum is certainly someone who can do just that.

The 6-foot-2, 206-pounder is a sideline-to-sideline player who will immediately inject athleticism and a punch to DJ Durkin’s linebacker room. The Rebels are currently feeling good about where things stand in regards to flipping Tatum, but he remains committed to the Gamecocks.

4-star Luke Altmyer

Overall rank: 237
Pro-style quarterback rank: 11
Hometown: Starkville, Miss.

Continuing with the theme of flips, Altmyer has been committed to Florida State since the beginning on 2020. But, the disaster that the Seminoles have been on the field combined with Lane Kiffin and Jeff Lebby’s offense taking the SEC by storm has given him pause.

As of today, Ole Miss is poised to flip the state’s No. 4 player. If they do, it could affect other’s inside the state as well.

The Elite 11 participant threw for 3,093 yards and 37 touchdowns as a junior.

3-star MJ Daniels

Overall rank: N/A
Cornerback rank: 11
Hometown: Lucedale, Miss.

Another potential flip, Daniels decommitted from the Rebels earlier this summer before committing to Mississippi State in September. Since then, the 6-foot-3, 191-pounder has received notable offers from Auburn, Georgia, and Texas A&M and is possibly re-thinking things heading into December.

Ole Miss, per sources, have always felt good about getting him back into the 2021 class, and with the ample early playing time opportunities on the defense being quite obvious, Buckley and Chris Partridge are going to do everything in their power to flip him.

3-star Markevious Brown

Overall rank: N/A
Cornerback rank: 42
Hometown: Pahokee, Fla.

The IMG Academy cornerback has kept things extremely close to the vest, but it seems that it’s going to come down to Miami and the Rebels. A source close to Brown’s recruitment says that he really likes the possibility of playing in the SEC and his relationship with cornerbacks coach Terrell Buckley is one that he cherishes.

The Ascenders completed their undefeated season over the weekend so the 6-foot-0, 170-pounder has all the time in the world now to ponder.

3-star Brandon Buckhaulter

Overall rank: N/A
Wide receiver rank: 95
Hometown: Flowood, Miss.

Yet another flip candidate on the docket is another former Ole Miss commit. Buckhaulter was committed for nearly a year before he chose to leave Ole Miss’ 2021 class for the Bulldogs’ class after the former staff was relieved of their duties.

As of today, November 23rd, I expect the 6-foot-3 receiver to complete the flip and re-join the Rebels’ class. The offense has caught his eye and he seems to want to be the next big thing to come out of WRU.

3-star Makylan Pounders

Overall rank: N/A
Offensive tackle rank: 7
Hometown: Byhalia, Miss.

One flip that is a long shot (in my opinion) is the offensive tackle from Byhalia. Pounders has held firm with his commitment to the Bulldogs despite rumors swirling for the past two months that he was wavering. Mississippi State typically focuses their efforts on a few top targets per cycle, and this year I think it’s the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder.

He’s an underrated offensive lineman that should factor in to anyone’s two-deep with his skill set. Ole Miss may have a lot of ground to make up here, but Randy Clements is going to stay after him until the ink is dry.

3-star Taleeq Robbins

Overall rank: N/A
Defensive tackle rank: N/A
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.

Moving out of Mississippi for a moment, the Rebels are trying to snag another top prospect from the Northeast. The Imhotep Institute Charter School product did not get to play his senior season, but that didn’t stop programs like Auburn, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Oregon from offering.

Right now, it appears to be down to the Rebels and the Aggies with Ole Miss out in front. Robbins has now put off a commitment twice and will now announce on December 16th when he signs early.

As of today, I like Ole Miss’ chances.

3-star Elijah Sabbatini

Overall rank: N/A
Safety rank: N/A
Hometown: Biloxi, Miss.

Sabbatini decommitted last month a few weeks after receiving an offer from Matt Luke and Georgia. The Gulf Coast safety impressed the Bulldogs enough to earn an offer after finishing up his high school career, showcasing his ability to do it all from his safety position.

He is extremely physical in the open field whether it is in coverage or run support and Ole Miss would very much like to add him back into the fold. I am of the opinion that Sabbatini is someone who will be on the field in some capacity in 2021 wherever he signs.

3-star John Lewis

Overall rank: N/A
Outside linebacker rank: N/A
Hometown: Madison, Miss.

Lewis burst onto the scene after a phenomenal senior season where he finished with 84 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. Since then, he has added offers from the Rebels, Florida State, Jackson State, Mississippi State, and South Alabama.

He is green to the recruiting process, but he has taken a mature approach to things and has told me he will take his time these next four weeks to decide what is best for him.

JUCO Stetson Moore

Overall rank: N/A
Wide receiver rank: N/A
Hometown: Poplarville, Miss.

The final name to know for early signing day is actually being recruited as a tight end. The Philadelphia, Miss. native is large (6-foot-4, 225-pounds) and even though he is currently committed to Liberty, sources tell us that if he receives an offer from the Rebels, he will flip.