Assessing Ole Miss' 2015 class a week before signing day

Ole Miss has suddenly become a coveted destination for the nation’s top recruits since Hugh Freeze’s arrival in Oxford, and the same has held true this recruiting season.

Freeze and his coaching staff have attracted top 20 recruiting classes each of the last two years, and in the immediate aftermath of a historic 9-4 season featuring four victories against 10-win teams (including wins over Alabama and Mississippi State), the program is as hot as it’s ever been. As of Jan. 27, the Rebels rank No. 14 in the 247Sports industry composite rankings.

Take one look at the Rebels’ recruiting haul as it stands less than 10 days removed from National Signing Day, and it’s obvious the program has reached a new level in recruiting. Ole Miss has earned commitments or signatures from 18 players so far, eight of which are four-star recruits.

The Rebels made a resounding statement on Junior College National Signing Day, attracting two of the top 10 JUCO prospects in America in addition to the No. 1 JUCO quarterback in the nation, Chad Kelly.

However, the Rebels recruiting efforts didn’t end there. Ole Miss has also earned commitments from three of the top 100 high school players in the nation, two of which can help an offensive line that struggled at times in 2014 aside from left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Ole Miss has also added a four-star tailback in Eric Swinney to help one of the SEC’s least explosive rushing attacks last season, as well as a couple of touted prospects on the defensive side of the ball to help maintain the dominant standard set by this year’s Landshark defense.

But perhaps the Rebels’ biggest commitment thus far came earlier this week when four-star wideout Van Jefferson added his name to the list of Ole Miss commits. The four-star wideout should be able to help a Rebels passing game lacking explosive pass-catchers behind Laquon Treadwell, who will return from a broken leg in 2015.

Jefferson’s commitment may help Ole Miss land fellow four-star wideout DaMarkus Lodge, an Under Armour All-American who remains the top uncommitted wideout in the country.

However, Jefferson’s signing may have filled a void on the offense that Lodge had hoped to fill, which might cause him to look elsewhere. It is still too early to tell, but even after earning a commitment from Jefferson the Rebels are continuing to pursue Lodge as well as they try and grow into an annual threat in the SEC West.

Take a look at how Ole Miss’ current 2015 recruiting class breaks down as National Signing Day draws near:

ASSESSING OLE MISS’ 2015 CLASS

Current commits or enrollees: 17 (avg. star 3.4)
Remaining primary targets: Cece Jefferson, DE; DaMarkus Lodge, WR
National recruiting rank, SEC rank: 14th; 7th

Notable commits