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Below is the list of official visitors as accumulated by OMSpirit.com and crosschecked against Twitter by us. Keep in mind that this list is fluid: some of these guys won’t show and others may jump on at the last minute. This list does not include unofficial visitors or the early enrollees that are already on campus.
All ratings are from the 247Sports composite rankings
4-star Tank Jenkins
Overall rank: 249
Offensive guard rank: 11
Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama
The highest-rated visitor this weekend is a big one, literally and figuratively, and is finally making the trip to town. He was supposed to visit last weekend but chose to go to College Station. The 6’3, 325-pounder from Alabama visited Oklahoma and they appear to have the lead now, according to his 247Sports Crystal Ball. But, with fellow Bammer resident and Ole Miss commit JaKorey Hawkins on board for good now, maybe Matt Luke and Co. can make up some ground now that Hawkins and his teammate Kevontae’ Ruggs are committed.
Sooners’ head coach Lincoln Riley went by to see Tank last week, but Luke will save his in-home for closer to signing day. With the uncertainty of fellow o-line targets William Barnes, Richard Gouraige, and Ed Montilus, this is a big weekend for Jack Bicknell.
4-star Michael Ezeike
Overall rank: 260
Tight end rank: 13
Hometown: Ontario, California
Ole Miss may have missed out on four-star tight end/wide receiver Camren McDonald (committed to FSU) last month, but now they are looking at a very similar prospect with a much bigger frame. The Cali prospect is quite large (6’5, 220) and plays a lot like D.K. Metcalf: physical at the line of scrimmage and a damn handful for cornerbacks and safeties. Ezeike gives the staff flexibility in the fact that he can play tight end OR wide receiver. He’s got the speed to do either or and be a nightmare for linebackers and/or the secondary. The most important thing here is that this is his last official visit.
3-star Jalen Cunningham
Overall rank: 430
Defensive tackle rank: 30
Hometown: Odenville, Ala.
The big fella signed in the early signing period and is likely making the trip to help try and reel in his fellow Bammer resident, Jenkins. Cunningham, despite being ranked as a defensive tackle, will play on the offensive side of the ball in Oxford as an offensive guard. Can you imagine an offensive line with Cunningham, Hall, and Jenkins on it? One would think that Charles Strong has to see that possibility and get pretty fired up, right?
3-star James Williams
Overall rank: 462
Strong-side defensive end rank: 19
Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi
Another early signee, the large defensive end from Jackson shocked everyone and flipped from Mississippi State and signed with Matt Luke and Co. The 6’5, 285-pounder is an important signee because the Rebs are looking to replace Marquis Haynes, Breeland Speaks, and possibly Benito Jones after the 2018 season. He joins a rather deep room, despite being unproven, that has loads of talent in it and could be a key cog in bringing the Landshark defense back to Oxford.
3-star Jayden McDonald
Overall rank: 775
Outside linebacker rank: 47
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
The top remaining linebacker target on the board is making his long-awaited trip West to Oxford. He has visited his other top schools already (Purdue, Kansas State, Iowa) and this is it for him. The Rebs and new linebackers coach Jon Sumrall have their shot to seal the deal here after going in-home with him this week for the final time. As it stands, his crystal ball favors the Rebs by a lot. And the 6’2, 201-pounder would be an instant impact ‘backer for McGriff and Sumrall if he chooses to sign with the good guys next Wednesday.
3-star Benjie Franklin
Overall JUCO rank: 29
Cornerback rank: 3
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Franklin is another JUCO croot that the Rebs are fighting over with the Auburn Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers. The Navarro College product held offers from Baylor, Texas, and Oklahoma in high school, but after going the JUCO route, he is potentially looking to go elsewhere. The 6’0, 175-pounder would provide quality depth at a position that will be losing Ken Webster after the 2018 season.
SOURCE: Berry, Zach. "Here’s the official visit list for the final big recruiting weekend for Ole Miss." Red Cup Rebellion, 1 February 2018,
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Thanks for that list!