Is Ole Miss 2015 Recruiting Class in Danger of Last-Minute Collapse?

Ole Miss managed to assemble another impressive recruiting class during the 2015 cycle, but the Rebels suddenly appear at risk of watching things unravel as national signing day nears.

Head coach Hugh Freeze, hosting a collection of prospects during the final weekend of official visits, received some disheartening news Friday evening. Leo Lewis, the nation's No. 1 inside linebacker, decommitted from Ole Miss during the first day of his stay at LSU:

The 4-star prospect, listed 63rd overall in 247Sports' composite rankings, will presumably end up with an SEC rival—signing with either the Tigers or Mississippi State.

The loss of Lewis, long considered a paramount in-state prospect, puts a damper on the program's final push toward signing day.

His departure from the Rebels' class could potentially be the first domino to fall in a series of negative developments. 

"Priority No. 1 was keeping its top 100 commits committed," wrote Riley Bevins of The Clarion-Ledger. "Priority No. 1 won't be accomplished, at least not completely."

Freeze must also face the fact that two more of his top recruits are currently being fawned over at foreign campuses. 

Drew Richmond, a Memphis product rated third nationally among offensive tackles, is spending time at Tennessee:

Fellow 4-star commit Van Jefferson, a Georgia receiver who joined the class just last week, leaped at the chance to visit Michigan following a late offer from the Wolverines:

It isn't uncommon for committed players to explore other collegiate opportunities down the stretch, but when three foundational members of a class are looking elsewhere the situation becomes a bit scary. 

Lewis has already been lost, while situations with Richmond and Jefferson seem tenuous at best.

"Jefferson had to convince his dad, who was against his son going to Ole Miss, to be on board with his decision," Bevins wrote, casting further doubt on the pass-catcher's potential of landing in Oxford.

It's worth noting that Mr. Jefferson spent eight seasons in Michigan serving as an assistant coach with the Detroit Lions. 

Tennessee, meanwhile, has never cooled on Richmond. Not even when he spurned the Volunteers for Ole Miss at his September signing day ceremony. 

He is Butch Jones' top priority at this point and would punctuate a sensational class for the rising SEC East squad.

The Rebels currently hold 17 commitments in a class rated 17th nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings. Big additions could be on the way—notably 5-star Florida defensive end CeCe Jefferson and 4-star Texas wide receiver Damarkus Lodge—but at this juncture it's just as important to hold onto what you already have in a class.

Lewis is out of the equation, and that hurts. If Jefferson and Richmond both join him by jumping off the bandwagon, the sting could become unbearable in Oxford on signing day.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.