Jermaine Whitehead de-commits

weblow · Jan 5, 2011

weblow · Jan 5, 2011

Whitehead re-evaluating decision

Wednesday was a long day for Jermaine Whitehead. Thursday might be even longer. The next four weeks, for that matter, could be different than what the four-star cornerback from Greenwood, Miss., expected just 24 hours ago. Late Wednesday, Whitehead candidly discussed the impact of Manny Diaz's departure and his emotions as friends C.J. Johnson, Nick Brassell and Tobias Singleton wrestle with their own college choices. Go inside for more.

biguglyjoe · Jan 5, 2011

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weblow · Jan 5, 2011

[No message]

TR.sixpack · Jan 5, 2011

Glad to see Reb fans have awoken from their hibernation.

JxnReb.sixpack · Jan 5, 2011

Wednesday was a long day forJermaine Whitehead.

Thursday might be even longer.

The next four weeks, for that matter, could be different than what the four-star cornerback from Greenwood (Amanda Elzy), Miss., expected just 24 hours ago.

On Wednesday, Whitehead learned that Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who Whitehead described as "the glue" to his commitment to the Bulldogs, was leaving to take the same post at Texas.

"He was a cool guy," Whitehead said. "The way he talked, he made football fun. He made me feel like we were going to do something that everybody thought was impossible."

Then the phone started ringing. Whitehead talked to Mississippi State assistant Melvin Smith.

"I told him that right now I can't even say I'm 90 percent (committed)," Whitehead said. "I think my percentage went way down. I told him my mom feels more comfortable with Ole Miss, but it's all up to me. I'm going to weigh my options.

"It's a hard decision. I want to de-commit, but I don't at the same time. I'm going to talk to (Mississippi State) Coach (Dan) Mullen (Thursday) and weigh my options."

Whitehead talked to fellow Mississippi State commitmentC.J. Johnson, who subsequently de-committed from the Bulldogs and re-opened his recruiting. Johnson said he'll decide between Mississippi State, Ole Miss and LSU.

"C.J. was the first big-time commit I really bonded with," Whitehead said. "He was part of the reason I did commit to Mississippi State. He's a cool guy. I talked to him for 30 minutes. He told me he didn't have any answers and he was shocked that Coach Diaz was leaving. He just told me he's still going to see what happens there but he can't call what he's going to do right now."

Whitehead tried to touch base with four-star wide receiversNickolas BrassellandTobias Singleton, who, like Johnson, are in San Antonio this week for the U.S. Army All-American Game. Both wide receivers are expected to make verbal commitments to their school(s) of choice during Saturday's nationally-televised contest.

"I don't know what they're going to do," Whitehead said. "I really don't know. Of course, it will have an affect on me. I want to play with them. It's not the only option I have, but I want to play with them definitely."

Whitehead also talked to Ole Miss coaches throughout the day. The Rebels have steadfastly recruited Whitehead for the past two years and consider him a candidate to start at cornerback next season if he signs with Ole Miss.

"They're telling me that I can help make a clean sweep for them," Whitehead said. "They feel like they're going to get Tobias and Nick this weekend. …Today's been a long day."

Whitehead also talked to four-star wide receiverDonte Moncrief, who committed to Ole Miss early in the process and has been one of the Rebels' chief recruiters ever since.

"Donte is telling me Ole Miss is a family," Whitehead said. "He brought it to my attention that (Ole Miss defensive coordinator) Coach (Tyrone) Nix had a chance to leave and go to Florida last year and he didn't take it. It's a recruiting pitch, but it's a true statement. Donte is my boy. He's got all of the respect in the world from me. He's one of my favorite players."

Whitehead said he'll visit Miami this weekend, Mississippi State on Jan. 14 and Ole Miss on Jan. 21. Auburn and Stanford, he said, are "still in it for sure."

"I'm kind of back to square one," Whitehead said. "I feel like I'm just starting to get recruited again almost. I'm back to weighing my options."

Still, Whitehead conceded that his decision will likely be between the in-state Egg Bowl rivals, two schools and programs he's come to know intimately.

"Both places have their ups and downs," Whitehead said. "It's just where I want to be and who I want to be around. That's all it's going to come down to."

Baron Von Raschke · Jan 5, 2011

Indeed.

beachreb61 · Jan 5, 2011

Baron Von Raschke · Jan 5, 2011

nfm

TnRebel.sixpack · Jan 5, 2011

It's not like the DC he was going to play under just left or anything.<div>
</div><div>NEWSFLASH: these players usually don't get attached to the schools, they get attached to the coaches.</div>

beachreb61 · Jan 5, 2011

You're joking. Your dog is not.

DovaDawg · Jan 6, 2011

Well you have to admit, Ole Miss coaches are working all the right angles in exploiting these kids insecurities. Ole Miss is like a family and the coaches are like the drunk, dead beat dad that tell you that you will never amount to anything. I truly believe that Ole Miss can spin anything now that I have seen them spin the Great Underachieving Landshark D as stability within the program.

dawgoneyall · Jan 6, 2011

This major violation will get uofm in trouble.

SolidDog · Jan 6, 2011

we need to play up the Mullen ****... Nix was never offered that job, he was interviewed (maybe)/discussed for one reason.. **** we need to start talking about how Mullen has turned down every open HC job whether he was in the picture or not. ... I know we joke about it on here but really we should use that.

hatfieldms · Jan 6, 2011

Did these clowns even watch an Ole Miss game this year, and see what the defense looked like? Hell there isnt a single Rebel fan out thee that wants Nix to return next year

chew1095 · Jan 6, 2011

playing for the Bears would be appealing to me. Your only competition is a couple of clowns that should be playing in the SWAC.

RougeDawg · Jan 6, 2011

High school recruits. If they're not intelligent enough to see through all the Bear ******** being slung their way, the directions of the two football programs, and the internal problems that have gone on for the past two seasons, what 17ing way in hell are they going to be able to come in and be intelligent enough to pick up Dan's offense and Wilson's defense? And I'm guessing they aren't smart enough either to realize that Wilson wasn't a deaf, blind innocent bystander for the past 12 months in the defensive scheme. Diaz is gone, so we revamp the defense that worked? Wilson is a complete idiot and didn't learn a 17ing thing this past season? We will run the same defense, minus one co-defensive coordinator.

On the flip side, they need to go to Oxford if they want a lot of playing time. With that offense, their defense will be on the field most of their games. There is absolutely no logic in these rash decommits other than one thing, and Auburn is the leader in this category. Nix will be gone after another season like this year and quite possibly Nutt. If these kids can't realize this then they deserve what they get. I felt the same way about Pat P. Last season. I'm almost certain his career would have been different in a more honest environment.

Jermaine Whitehead de-commits

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