Kynon's Korner: Ole Miss' Huge Recruiting Boost, Celeb's Son Visits SEC School
The Magnolia State is the talk of the college football world and rightfully so.
On Saturday, Mississippi State knocked off previously No. 7-ranked Texas A&M, 48-31. It was the second consecutive win over a then-Top 10-ranked team, as the Bulldogs upset LSU on the road in Baton Rouge two weeks ago.
Shortly after Hail State's newly minted signature win, Ole Miss rallied to defeat Alabama, 23-17, to give the Rebels their first victory over a No. 1-ranked team in the program's history.
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As important as the wins are to this year's squads, these victories will also serve to benefit the Mississippi schools on the recruiting trail. Evidence of this was immediate as Ole Miss landed a 4-star running back out of Alabama, Denzel Mitchell, less than 24 hours after the goal posts came down.
Premier recruits CeCe Jefferson, Ryan Newsome, Damarkus Lodge and Roquan Smith were also on hand in Oxford, Mississippi, on Saturday, and all came away impressed.
Jefferson was enamored with the atmosphere and environment of Oxford judging by his tweets:
Ditto for Newsome, who took this picture of Katy Perry—who was on hand as a guest of ESPN's College GameDay—and later tweeted it out:
Ryan Bartow of 247Sports said Lodge predicted the Ole Miss upset in this tweet:
"Give credit to four-star WR @DaMarkusLodge18. He called #OleMiss beating #Alabama last spring. Told me 21-14 #Rebels Tuesday as well.
— Ryan Bartow (@RyanBartow) October 5, 2014"
Smith told me nothing compared to his trip to the famed Grove.
"I loved Oxford. There is nothing like it," he said. "The best part were the coaches. Really just the place itself. Nothing like it along with the The Grove. It was cool."
The 247Sports Crystal Ball has Smith as an 81 percent lock to Georgia. However, the Peach State star said Ole Miss is firmly in the discussion. When asked where Ole Miss stands following the visit? He answered, "Yes, they are now in the mix."
For head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff, this isn't anything new. They've closed big out-of-state targets in recent years, like former No. 1 prospect Robert Nkemdiche, Florida prospect Laremy Tunsil, Illinois native Laquon Treadwell and Lone Star State native Quincy Adeboyejo. I expect to see the same kind of scenario for the Class of 2015 and beyond.
On the other side of the state, Hoover (Alabama) outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon was at the Bulldogs' blowout win over the Aggies, a victory the 4-star defender said he picked.
"I actually told Coach (Geoff) Collins they would win two weeks ago. I can see myself playing there," said Moon. "I went down there for the pregame and when they ran out with all the smoke and the fire. I heard Coach (Dan) Mullen's speech. Their fans were so in to it. The cowbells were so loud. It was a fun environment."
I asked Moon what his favorite part of the visit was. He replied, "Their overall improvement from last year. I went to the Alabama game last year and watched the A&M game a year ago. You can tell there is a big difference. Everything was clicking. The visit was a 10."
Moon grew up an Alabama fan, but he is still awaiting an offer from the Tide. The rangy 6'4", 200-pounder said he has the Bulldogs in his top five along with Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky and Ole Miss. Moon said he is planning to go back to Starkville this weekend when the Bulldogs take on the Auburn Tigers. He will be joined by committed 4-star safety Jamal Peters.
Big-Time RB Elijah Holyfield Visits Tennessee
Woodward Academy (Georgia) standout Elijah Holyfield is using the fall to take as many trips as possible to check out his favorite college teams. Holyfield, the son of former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, continues to blaze his own path on and off the gridiron.
Last month, the 5'11", 200-pound tailback visited Columbus, Ohio, to see the Buckeyes trounce Cincinnati, 50-28. This week, Holyfield made the trek to Knoxville, Tennessee, for the Vols-Gators game at Neyland Stadium. The 4-star running back said it was everything he expected. Holyfield stated, "The atmosphere was great. It kind of surprised me. I've been to so many games, but it was crazy up there."
"I'm looking to go back there during the offseason, and I'm sure I will see Coach (Robert) Gillespie when he comes down here. He's a cool guy and we talk almost once a week."
Despite the Vols' 10-9 loss to Florida, Holyfield likes what he is seeing from the program. "I've been up there two times and I've had a chance to talk Coach (Butch) Jones," said Holyfield. "Both times he said they're in the rebuilding process, but everyone is going to want to be a part of it when it gets rolling. I'm really excited about them."
Next up for Holyfield are visits to Auburn later this month followed by road trips to Louisville and Michigan State in November. He will check out the in-state Bulldogs in mid-November. The California Golden Bears are keeping tabs on him, and Holyfield wants to visit sometime in the spring or summer.
California, Louisville, Ohio State and Tennessee are recruiting him the hardest at the moment. He said he is going to take his time and likely won't decide anytime soon.
5-Star Keisean Lucier-South Set to Visit Ann Arbor
California standout Keisean Lucier-South is heading east this weekend for an official visit to Michigan. The Wolverines have been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Lucier-South isn't worried about the football program because he knows what it has to offer.
However, if there is a coaching change in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it could impact Lucier-South.
"I want to see what's going to happen because that staff offered me, so if a new staff comes in I don't what's going to happen," said Lucier-South. "This weekend I want to see if the campus is going to fit me or not. I want to see how the academics are. I already know about the program. Academics are important because for the other nine months after you are by yourself, so I want to see if there's a fit for me."
Lucier-South said he has a good relationship with his primary recruiter, Dan Ferrigno. Head coach (Brady) Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison check on him frequently, according to Lucier-South. Michigan told the 5-star defender it wanted him at outside linebacker, but the Wolverines have lost a couple of commitments recently, so they could take him at defensive end.
"I feel comfortable at outside linebacker, so it's not a problem," noted Lucier-South. "Most schools want me there, although I could play both."
The 6'5", 225-pound hybrid front-seven defender took an official visit to Oklahoma in September. He will take an official visit to Oregon when the Ducks play Stanford at the end of the month. His remaining visits are still up in the air.
Recently, he added USC back to his list of top schools, and he may check out UCLA for an official visit. Florida remains in the picture, and he wanted to check out The Swamp when the Gators host South Carolina. However, with USC pushing hard, he isn't sure if he will make it to the Sunshine State. The Trojans appear to be making a push based on his bond with defensive line coach Chris Wilson.
"He's a great guy. I love him. We probably talk every day," stated Lucier-South. "We don't always talk about football, that's what I love him about him."
Although Lucier-South said he has a great relationship with Coach Wilson, he feels comfortable with Coach (Jerry) Montgomery at Oklahoma, Coach (Jeff) Ulbrich at UCLA, and Coach (Erik) Chinander with Oregon. When he isn't playing football, he tries to watch Denver Broncos defensive stalwart Von Miller and Oklahoma Sooners pass-rushing specialist Eric Striker to work on his game.
DE Darian Roseboro Talks Michigan Decommitment, NC State Visit
Two months ago 4-star defensive end Darian Roseboro committed to Michigan over offers from LSU, N.C. State, Nebraska and others. The Wolverines were able to lock up their top defensive end target, and all seemed well.
Last weekend, Roseboro took an official visit to N.C. State to see the Wolfpack battle Florida State. Days later he decommitted from Michigan and left the Maize and Blue without a commitment along the defensive line.
Roseboro told me, "It was a place I didn't feel comfortable. With everything going on I felt it was best to keep my options open. When I told them my reasons why they said they understood."
Oklahoma was the first school to offer after Roseboro's decommitment. Roseboro said, "It was pretty exciting. They are a top-ranked program with good tradition."
Alabama, Clemson, North Carolina, Ohio State and Tennessee were on the phone with Roseboro shortly after to gauge his interest. The versatile front-four defender said he is going to sit down with his family to plan his remaining official visits.
Roseboro said he liked the effort by the Wolfpack against the defending national champions. He stated, "I thought it was the best game they've played. It was a highly ranked opponent. It was their game. They had a chance to beat them. They tell me to stay close to home and that I can come in and play early. I talk to Coach (Mike) Uremovich every other day. My parents liked it, but they said they are going to support me wherever I go."
The Crimson Tide are strongly courting Roseboro in addition to N.C. State. Roseboro said he spoke to Coach (Nick) Saban and Coach (Kevin) Steele recently.
"Coach Saban wants me to get down there for an official visit, and he wants to come to one of my games," remarked Roseboro. "I talk to Coach Steele on an every-other-day basis. He tells me about coming and playing for their program with the best defensive players and seeing it for myself."
Roseboro's 247Sports Crystal Ball has him with a 67 percent chance to end up at N.C. State, but with the Tide and Sooners lurking, the odds could change the Wolfpack's momentum.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand. Recruiting information and ratings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted. Team rankings per the Amway Coaches Poll.
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