Ole Miss will wrap up a good portion of its 2022 signing class beginning on Early Signing Day on Wednesday. It will have a different feel than in years past, as the Rebels take a transfer-heavy approach to retooling this roster after a 10-win season. But there are a few targets left on the board — including Jaheim Oatis, Percy Lewis and Trevion Williams — who could turn this class from good to great.

By the numbers

Overall rank: 33
SEC rank: 13
5-stars: 0
4-stars: 3

Did Ole Miss find a future QB?

Ole Miss doesn’t currently have a quarterback signed in this class. The Rebels are, in all likelihood, going to find an immediate impact guy in the transfer portal who will start immediately. There was a strong sense that that guy would be UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel, but Jeff Lebby’s departure to Oklahoma makes that a little murkier. Ole Miss is still in the mix for Gabriel, but it hosted Incarnate Word transfer Cam Ward over the weekend.

Ole Miss is going to do all it can to land an impact transfer in the portal to quarterback the team next year. If it doesn’t, then the Rebels will turn to 2021 signee Luke Altmyer.

Who is the best offensive player?

As it stands, 4-star offensive lineman Bryson Hurst is the highest-rated offensive player in this class. The Rebels also signed 3-star wide receiver Larry Simmons, and there is a chance that 4-star defensive lineman Zxavian Harris plays on the offensive side before the end of his Ole Miss career.

But if you are looking for a sleeper contributor next year, 3-star running back Quinshon Judkins could find a role in the backfield depending on whether Jerrion Ealy and/or Snoop Conner returns.

Who is the best defensive player?

The best is Harris. Ole Miss needs difference-makers on the defensive line, and Harris and 3-star tackle Jacarius Clayton certainly qualify. Taylor Groves is a highly-coveted 4-star safety in this class as the Rebels try to reload and build on a much-improved secondary.

Junior college 3-star linebacker Reginald Hughes fills a position of need and has a chance to make an immediate impact. Ole Miss is still trying to formulate depth and more top-end talent within its defensive front 7.

What position did they recruit the best?

It’s difficult to say. The Rebels recruited corner and safety well, but if they land LSU transfer and Jackson, Miss., native Deion Smith, then you could make an argument that receiver was the greatest position of need met.

If Ole Miss is able to flip Jaheim Oatis from Alabama on Wednesday, then the defensive line likely takes the cake for the best-recruited position.

Did they keep the best players home?

This was a relatively strong class for in-state talent, but with Lane Kiffin and his staff taking a transfer-heavy approach to replenish the roster, it’s difficult to grade Ole Miss based on how many kids they kept in-state. If Oatis goes to Alabama, that will sting. Ole Miss seemingly moved away from recruiting South Carolina commit Stone Blanton, but aside from those 2, the Rebels did a decent job of capitalizing on in-state talent that they feel can come in and make a quick impact.

How you should feel about this class

This class will look different than perhaps any in Ole Miss history. Kiffin and this staff have made no bones about their desire to use the portal to keep this roster competitive. It’s certainly a gamble, but it’s one they are certain in seeing through.

If the Rebels can add a few more high school pieces and find a quarterback and a receiver in the portal, then this will be a successful class that puts them in decent position to be competitive next year.