Meet the Rebels: Ole Miss was in both the Flipmas spirit and its Rush hour on NSD
Ole Miss on Wednesday signed 21 players and the nation’s No. 19 overall class, headlined by three of the Top 5 2024 prospects in Mississippi.
The state’s top-ranked player, Kamarion Franklin, is one of the 12 signees who will early-enroll next month and go through spring practices.
This story is the fourth in a series spotlighting three Ole Miss signees. The included highlights were provided by Ole Miss Athletics.
KAVION BROUSSARD | Offensive tackle | 6-6, 253 | Zachary (La.) High School
RECRUITING BASICS: Broussard flipped to Ole Miss from Miami (Fla.) December 16 and signed without any fuss on Early Signing Day four days later. He was ranked as a three-star recruit on three of the four major recruiting services. ESPN gave him his highest grade as the nation’s No. 34 offensive tackle and the No. 11 prospect in Louisiana. Missouri, Texas Tech and Florida State all offered as well.
PLAYER’S PERSPECTIVE: “I never want to be on a losing team. I want to go somewhere with a good foundation, then I want to go there and make them better.”
SCOUTING REPORT: Broussard was an enforcer at left tackle for Zachary — sound in pass protection, and moved well at his towering size. He’s taken a huge step forward in his positional development, as well as his ability to use his hands and his length to his advantage. Broussard not only has traits like height and wingspan, he’s playing nasty football at a premium position. He’s a stock-up 2024 tackle, in this analyst’s opinion. — Sam Spiegelman, On3 national recruiting analyst
RAYMOND COLLINS | Linebacker | 6-2, 235 | Jones (Miss.) College
RECRUITING BASICS: Ole Miss scooped up Collins in March and he held as one of its most-secure commitments over the course of the year-long cycle. Temple offered, too, but Collins only ever had eyes for the Rebels. Ole Miss, in December, was his only visit. He’s a three-star on three of the four recruiting services, but a four-star on Rivals. Collins is the No. 1 JUCO linebacker on 247Sports and ESPN.
PLAYER’S PERSPECTIVE: “In the linebacker room, it’s a good chance I can come in and plug and play. I like that about (Ole Miss). They’ve got a lot of linebackers leaving. (Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding) told me he likes my size and how I play. They want to keep me at linebacker and think I can be a difference-maker.”
SCOUTING REPORT: Collins had 56 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks last season for Jones. He’s ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in On3’s junior college rankings, as well as the No. 3 EDGE and No. 2 overall player in the ultra-competitive Mississippi JUCO ranks. — Zach Berry, Ole Miss Spirit recruiting analyst
JEFFERY RUSH | EDGE | 6-1, 265 | Pascagoula (Miss.) High School
RECRUITING BASICS: Rush was one of the most coveted and highly-ranked prospects in Mississippi. He was an On3 Industry four-star, holding offers from, among others, Ole Miss, Auburn, Mississippi Stat and Texas. Despite his extensive offer sheet, Rush was unshakeable after becoming Ole Miss’ first commitment. He was done and wrapped up once he announced for the Rebels in March. More importantly, he laid the foundation for their impressive in-state haul at defensive line.
PLAYER’S PERSPECTIVE: “I think we’re (Ole Miss) gonna be scary (in 2024). We could compete for a national championship, for sure. That’s the dream.”
SCOUTING REPORT: Before his shoulder injury derailed his senior season, Rush was one of the more disruptive defensive line prospects in the country. He’ll be a huge piece of the Ole Miss defense for years to come. — Zach Berry, Ole Miss Spirit recruiting analyst
