OXFORD — Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze pulled in another impressive signing class Wednesday, even if it lacks some of the star power from a year ago.
There wasn’t much drama for Freeze, although the Rebels did surprise some by
landing Tee Shepard, one of the nation’s top junior college defensive backs, who had given a verbal commitment to Mississippi State.
Freeze hopes some of biggest names in the 27-man class, including Shepard, offensive lineman Rod Taylor, defensive lineman Breeland Speaks,and receiver Markell Pack, can contribute immediately.
Taylor and Speaks were two of the most highly regarded recruits in Mississippi. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Taylor was one of the nation’s top-rated interior linemen, according to the major recruiting sites.
Rivals and Scout had the Ole Miss class ranked in the teens nationally.
Freeze said this class “might be better from top to bottom” than the star-studded class of 2013, which included defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, receiver Laquon Treadwell and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. All three were five-star recruits and important contributors as freshmen.
But Freeze said the program has finally stockpiled enough talent that several of the program’s newest players can take a year or two to develop.
“I sure hope we can redshirt more kids than we were able to the last few years,” Freeze said. “It’s a sign we’re headed in the right direction, getting some kids some more maturity before they have to hit the field.”
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