OXFORD — Twenty-six new players, including 19 members of the state”s top recruiting class, were welcomed to the University of Mississippi football program Thursday, as newcomers reported for the start of preseason camp.

The newcomers included a school-record four U.S. Army All-Americans: wide receivers Nickolas Brassell and Tobias Singleton, offensive lineman Ethan Hutson, and linebacker C.J. Johnson.

Brassell, Singleton, and Johnson were among Mississippi”s top five high school players.

“It”s just an exciting group, and it sends a message about the kind of recruiting year we had,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. “This can be the group that makes this team special, and if they stay here together the next four or five years, it can be really special.”

Of the 19 signees, 17 attended summer school and have been working out with the team. Those enrolled for first summer term included: Justin Bell, Chief Brown, Serderius Bryant, Uriah Grant, Mitch Hall, Woodrow Hamilton, Hutson, Johnson, Donte Moncrief, Collins Moore, Aaron Morris, Cody Prewitt, and T.J. Worthy, while second session attendees were Brassell, Senquez Golson, Keith Lewis, and Jamal Mosley.

“We asked all of them to get here by May 27, and that”s hard to do, to graduate May 23 or 24 and then get here for that first session,” Nutt said. “But it shows the drive they had to get here, to get all the papers filled out, your high school transcript, finals, and now get here as a college student to work out with (Strength) coach (Don) Decker. I think that sends a huge message. They know we”re counting on them, and that”s why we recruited them.”

Other newcomers who arrived Thursday included Tyler Baker, Tanner Burns, Sam Cox, Ryan Nowicki, Taylor Rotenberry, Charlie Scott, and Zarold Wilder.

Nutt said he expects signee Denzel Nkemdiche “to be here soon.”

Ole Miss will report to fall camp today, while practice begins Saturday. Preseason drills the first week will be open to the public, beginning Saturday and running through Aug. 13. The first seven practices will begin at 4:30 p.m., while the time of the Aug. 13 workout will be announced.