Early Signing Day primer: What you need to know about Ole Miss’ 2023 class (2024)

Ole Miss grew stronger in a number of areas with its 2023 recruiting class, which ranks 30th both in the 247Sports overall rankings and the network’s composite rankings.

In total, the Rebels added 8 4-star prospects and 5 3-star prospects. Of the commitments, 7 were defensive players and 6 saw action on the offensive side of the ball. Here’s a look at the class in full as teams now look ahead to spring ball after the bowl season, which continues to roll on:

• 4-star LB Suntarine Perkins, Raleigh (Raleigh, Mississippi)
• 4-star WR Ayden Williams, Ridgeland (Ridgeland, Mississippi)
• 4-star EDGE Jamarious Brown, Moss Point (Moss Point, Mississippi)
• 4-star S Braxton Myers, Coppell (Coppell, Texas)
• 4-star QB Marcel Reed, Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, Tennessee)
• 4-star IOL Brycen Sanders, Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
• 4-star EDGE Need Avery, Our Lady Good Counsel HS (Olney, Maryland)
• 4-star S Ahmad Brown, Crisp County (Cordele, Georgia)
• 3-star OT Izavion Miller, Southwest Mississippi C.C. (Summit, Mississippi)
• 3-star TE Jayvontay Carter, East Forsyth (Kernersville, North Carolina)
• 3-star S Daniel Demery, Parish Episcopal School (Dallas)
• 3-star IOL Ethan Fields, Dutchtown (Geismar, Louisiana)
• 3-star LB Skielar Mann, Peach County (Fort Valley, Georgia)

Highest-rated player: Suntarine Perkins, LB

Perkins is 1 of the 8 4-star commitments the Rebels nailed in their recruiting class, coming in as the highest-ranked player of the 2023 group.

He recently doubled down on his commitment after there was some speculation about whether or not he might continue to consider other options, spending last weekend at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. Perkins is both a state champion and an in-state Mr. Football, undoubtedly the team’s best pickup ahead of Early Signing Day.

And the fact that he chose Ole Miss over Alabama speaks volumes as a testament to the recruiting efforts of the Rebels.

Did Ole Miss bolster the QB room? Yes

The Rebels faced a tough task in replacing Matt Corral from the moment he departed for the NFL Draft and that continues to be a work in progress, though USC transfer signal-caller Jaxson Dart is continuing to come along while showcasing high dual-threat upside.

Ole Miss added a single quarterback here with a commitment from 4-star passer Marcel Reed out of Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, Tennessee). According to 247Sports, Reed is the No. 18 quarterback in the nation, the 295th-ranked overall prospect nationally and the No. 6 prospect in Tennessee.

Reed projects as a true dual threat who adds depth at the position behind Dart after Luke Altmyer transferred. He also holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas and Texas A&M, with interest from Auburn.

Best position group: Secondary

Ole Miss displayed a need for more reliable defensive backs who could deliver on a consistent basis, and the Rebels secured a good haul here for the secondary. Additions in the 2023 class in this area include a pair of 4-star recruits in safety Braxton Myers out of Coppell (Coppell, Texas) and fellow safety Ahmad Brown of Crisp County (Cordele, Georgia). The Rebels also brought in 3-star safety Daniel Demery of Parish Episcopal School (Dallas).

Myers is expected to play cornerback in college, bringing length and a solid frame to the table in addition to a level of athleticism that has helped him stand out at the high school level. Brown was a multi-sport athlete and brings a good bit of versatility to the table, seeing most of his time on defense at the safety position while also seeing some time at running back, wide receiver and quarterback.

Biggest need filled: Linebacker

It’s no secret the Ole Miss defense has got to get better in multiple areas as head coach Lane Kiffin lamented the team’s issues with tackling in the secondary, run defense and allowing too many explosive plays throughout the season in a way the Rebels’ potent rushing attack was not always able to bail out.

Ole Miss added Perkins as its top overall prospect of the class, as well as 3-star prospect Skielar Mann of Peach County (Fort Valley, Georgia).

The transfer portal is another place Ole Miss has found some luck in at the linebacker position, adding former UCF linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste to the fold to join these 2 and the remaining players at the position on the current roster. Jean-Baptiste totaled 52 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss in 2022.

Biggest potential flip: Kedrick Reescano, RB, 4-star

Based off the 247Sports Crystal Ball, this is the highest-rated player who is either uncommitted or committed to another school that Ole Miss has the chance to flip.

Reescano, out of New Caney (New Caney, Texas), is listed as the No. 8 running back in the class, the No. 23 overall prospect of 2023 and the No. 33 prospect in the state of Texas. He would be a nice addition in a room that already holds sophom*ore-to-be record-breaker Quinshon Judkins.

Final takeaways on this class

Ole Miss came away with some solid successes in the state of Mississippi and improved in some key areas on defense. The Rebels look to supplement a group to play better complementary football — something that will be vital to the program consistently remaining a contender in the SEC. Three of the top 4 commitments the Rebels have landed are playing out their high school careers in Mississippi.

It should also be noted some of the key prospects the Rebels have managed to play keep-away from Alabama with, something that is reflective of the type of success Ole Miss has had both in the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail. It also goes to show how this modern era of college football is continuing to shift, considering that Alabama typically gets just about any player it wants — or at least that is how it has been recently.

While there is work to be done as the Rebels prepare to look ahead to next year, there are some bright spots to be excited about ahead of Early Signing Day with the commitments Ole Miss holds at this time.