OXFORD, Miss. – Strong relationships built with recruits and their families, first-class academic and training facilities and a winning product on the field have helped Ole Miss significantly raise the level of talent within the football program since head coach Hugh Freeze arrived in 2012.
The Rebels took another step forward Wednesday by signing their highest-rated class on record, one Freeze characterizes as the “deepest” since he’s been the head coach.
“I don’t know if our staff has ever done a better job of developing relationships that can withstand the onslaught of difficult things that are thrown at you through the course of recruiting,” said Freeze. “That’s been the case during this cycle quite a bit, and it’s a testament to everything we are doing here and what we stand for and the relationships we’ve built over the last 18 to 24 months that allowed us to bring home arguably a top-five class.”
At the end of National Signing Day, Ole Miss ranked as high as No. 4 in the country by ESPN.com and anywhere from fifth to seventh in the other major national recruiting rankings. That matches the 2013 haul that finished with a high ranking of fourth by 247Sports.
Under Freeze, the Rebels have brought in four straight top-15 ranked signing classes. The program had just two such classes prior to Freeze’s arrival.
This year’s class is headlined by a trio of 5-star prospects in quarterback Shea Patterson (Shreveport, La.), offensive tackle Greg Little (Allen, Texas) and defensive tackle Benito Jones (Waynesboro, Miss.). They are among the 13 high school All-Americans represented in the group. Freeze and his staff inked a total of 19 athletes ranked as 4-star prospects or better (by at least one of the major recruiting services) in the 24-man class.
Ole Miss has now brought in 11 5-star recruits during the Freeze era.
Four Rebel signees are tabbed by at least one recruiting outlet as the No. 1 prospect at their position, including Patterson, Little, No. 1 safety Deontay Anderson (Manvel, Texas) and No. 1 tight end/H-back Jacob Mathis (Tampa, Fla.).
National Signing Day had its fair share of excitement for the Rebels, as they gained signatures from three players who were not already publicly committed to Ole Miss – Anderson, Mathis and wide receiver A.J. Brown (Starkville, Miss.).
Ole Miss loaded up on elite receiver talents, including wideouts and tight ends. Brown, D.K. Metcalf (Oxford, Miss.) and Tre Nixon (Viera, Fla.) all rank among the top 100 overall national recruits by at least one outlet and boast some of the best wide receiver accolades in the country. Mathis leads a group of tight ends that includes Octavious Cooley (Laurel, Miss.) and Gabe Angel (Cookeville, Tenn.), all of whom are highly regarded.
The future of the Rebels’ quarterback position after All-SEC senior Chad Kelly graduates looks to be in good hands with the top-ranked signal-caller in the land in Patterson. He most recently earned MVP honors at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and is among eight early enrollees who will be able to compete in spring drills.
The offensive line also received a particular boost from a total of six new Rebels, headlined by two-time high school All-American Little, who could see early playing time at tackle next fall after the departure of All-America left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Four-star prospects like Bryce Mathews (Brentwood, Tenn.), Royce Newman (Nashville, Ill.) and Chandler Tuitt (Tyrone, Ga.) will help anchor the line for years to come in Freeze’s high-powered, up-tempo offense.
The Landshark defense will be bolstered by an influx of talent, led by highly rated prospects and Under Armour All-Americans Deontay Anderson and Benito Jones. Super-athletic 4-star defensive end Charles Wiley (Stockbridge, Ga.) and 4-star defensive backs Greg Eisworth(Grand Prairie, Texas), Myles Hartsfield (Sayreville, N.J.) and Jaylon Jones (Allen, Texas) could all be a factor early in their college careers.
“We’re consistently bringing in top players and I think that’s why we’re continuing to improve on the field,” noted Freeze. “There will be some areas of need that we’ll need to address at mid-year next year, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the young men that have joined us and our family. I can’t wait to go to work with them.”
2016 Signees
Deontay Anderson | DB | 6-1 | 212 | Manvel, Texas | Manvel
* Gabe Angel | TE | 6-2 | 222 | Cookeville, Tenn. | Cookeville
A.J. Brown | WR | 6-1 | 225 | Starkville, Miss. | Starkville
Justin Connor | ATH | 5-10 | 187 | Sardis, Miss. | North Panola
Octavious Cooley | TE | 6-3 | 254 | Laurel, Miss. | Laurel
Jack DeFoor | OL | 6-4 | 276 | Calhoun, Ga. | Calhoun
* Greg Eisworth | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Grand Prairie, Texas | South Grand Prairie
* Donta Evans | LB | 6-1 | 222 | Lawrenceville, Ga. | Archer
* Myles Hartsfield | DB | 5-10 | 197 | Sayreville, N.J. | Sayreville/East Coast Prep
* Eli Johnson | OL | 6-1 | 287 | Taylor, Miss. | Lafayette
* Benito Jones | DT | 6-1 | 305 | Waynesboro, Miss. | Wayne County
Jaylon Jones | DB | 5-11 | 171 | Allen, Texas | Allen
Greg Little | OL | 6-6 | 326 | Allen, Texas | Allen
Bryce Mathews | OL | 6-6 | 275 | Brentwood, Tenn. | Brentwood Academy
Jacob Mathis | TE | 6-4 | 228 | Tampa, Fla. | Berkeley Prep
D.K. Metcalf | WR | 6-4 | 206 | Oxford, Miss. | Oxford
Royce Newman | OL | 6-5 | 260 | Nashville, Ill. | Nashville Community
Tre Nixon | WR | 6-1 | 170 | Viera, Fla. | Viera
* Shea Patterson | QB | 6-2 | 198 | Shreveport, La. | IMG Academy
D’Vaughn Pennamon | RB | 5-11 | 214 | Manvel, Texas | Manvel
Jarrion Street | RB | 6-2 | 207 | Trussville, Ala. | Hewitt-Trussville
Tariqious Tisdale | LB | 6-5 | 249 | Lexington, Tenn. | Lexington
Chandler Tuitt | OL | 6-4 | 220 | Tyrone, Ga. | Sandy Creek
* Charles Wiley | DE | 6-2 | 250 | Stockbridge, Ga. | Stockbridge
* January enrollee
Deontay Anderson | DB | 6-1 | 212 | Manvel, Texas | Manvel
HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour All-America selection … A consensus 4-star recruit … Rated the nation’s No. 1 safety by ESPN.com and ranked No. 41 in the ESPN300 … Rated by Scout.com as the No. 4 safety and No. 2 recruit out of the state of Texas … Rated by Rivals.comas the No. 3 safety and No. 10 recruit out of the state of Texas … Ranked by 247Sports.com as the No. 2 safety and No. 8 recruit out of the state of Texas … 2015 Nike Opening Finalist … Had 40 tackles (32 solo) his senior year … Tabbed first team All-State by USA Today and second team by the Associated Press … Coached in high school by Kirk Martin … Won the Texas 6A state championship in the 200-meter dash with a time of 20.99 his junior year.
Gabe Angel | TE | 6-2 | 222 | Cookeville, Tenn. | Cookeville
HIGH SCHOOL: Listed as a 4-star recruit by 247Sports.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … Ranked the fourth-best TE/H-back in the country by ESPN.com and the No. 12 TE by 247Sports.com … Listed as the No. 1 athlete in Tennessee by Scout.com … Ranked No. 202 overall on the Scout300 list … As a senior at Cookeville, caught 25 passes for 379 yards while adding 356 yards on the ground for a total of 11 TDs … Also threw a TD pass for the Cavaliers … Selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s All-State team … Named first team All-State at TE by USA Today … Rushed for 451 yards and added 227 receiving yards for 10 TDs as a junior … Coached in high school by Jimmy Maynord.
A.J. Brown | WR | 6-1 | 225 | Starkville, Miss. | Starkville
HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour All-America selection … A consensus 4-star prospect by the major recruiting services … Ranked the No. 45 overall recruit by Scout.com, No. 47 by 247Sports.com, No. 53 by Rivals.com and No. 66 by ESPN.com … Listed as the No. 5 WR in the country by 247Sports.com and Scout.com … Ranked the second-best player in the state by 247Sports.com and third-best by Scout.com… Caught four passes for 79 yards a TD in the Under Armour All-America Game … Recorded nine catches for 137 yards and two TDs to be named co-MVP of the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic … As a senior, led Starkville to a 6A state championship … Racked up 83 catches for 1,371 and 13 TDs … Named first team All-State by USA Today, The Clarion-Ledger and the Mississippi Association of Coaches … Tabbed MAC Class 6A Player of the Year … Selected to The Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen … Became the second-ever player to be selected to both the Under Armour football and baseball All-American games … Coached in high school by Ricky Woods.
Justin Connor | ATH | 5-10 | 187 | Sardis, Miss. | North Panola
HIGH SCHOOL: Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Senior Bowl … A 4-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … Ranked the No. 16 running back in the nation by ESPN.com … A member of the ESPN 300 … Named the No. 1 RB recruit in the state byESPN.com and Scout.com … Listed as the 18th-best athlete in the nation by 247Sports.com … As a senior, rushed for 1,640 yards and 14 TDs as he helped North Panola to a 3A state playoff appearance … Named second team All-State as an athlete by the Mississippi Association of Coaches … A member of The Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen … Coached in high school by Derek King.
Octavious Cooley | TE | 6-3 | 254 | Laurel, Miss. | Laurel
HIGH SCHOOL: A second team MaxPreps All-American and first team MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American … A 4-star recruit by247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Scout.com … Ranked the 39th-best overall recruit and third-best tight end in the nation by Scout.com … Also ranked as a top 300 national recruit by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Listed as the No. 2 prospect in Mississippi by Scout.com and top 10 in the state by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … As a senior, hauled in 68 passes for 1,448 yards and 13 TDs while also adding six rushing TDs … Helped Laurel to a state semifinal appearance … Named first team All-State at TE by the Mississippi Association of Coaches, The Clarion-Ledger and USA Today … A member of The Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen … Ended his career with 4,419 receiving yards and 51 total TDs … Coached in high school by Todd Breland.
Jack DeFoor | OL | 6-4 | 276 | Calhoun, Ga. | Calhoun
HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked a 3-star prospect by all the major recruiting services … Considered the No. 28 offensive guard prospect in the nation and the No. 42 recruit in Georgia by ESPN.com … Earned first team Class AAA All-State honors from the Georgia Sportswriter’s Association and Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Led the Calhoun Yellow Jackets to a 13-1 record, a state title appearance and an undefeated record in region play as a senior in 2015 … Helped Calhoun to a 15-0 undefeated season as a junior and earned GSWA first team All-State accolades … Coached in high school by Hal Lamb.
Greg Eisworth | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Grand Prairie, Texas | South Grand Prairie
HIGH SCHOOL: Listed as a 4-star recruit and the No.25 athlete in the country by ESPN.com … Ranked the 36th-best safety in the nation by247Sports.com … Starred on both sides of the ball in high school, playing quarterback and safety … Racked up over 2,400 yards and scored 24 TDs as a senior … Selected to Scout.com’s All-Midlands team … Named an honorable mention at QB on the Associated Press’ Class 6A All-State team … Coached in high school by Brent Whitson.
Donta Evans | LB | 6-1 | 222 | Lawrenceville, Ga. | Archer
HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star prospect by the major recruiting services … Rated the 21st-best inside linebacker in the country byRivals.com and 22nd-best by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Senior Bowl … As a senior, he helped Archer to an 11-3 record and a quarterfinal appearance in the 6A playoffs … Collected 93 tackles and three sacks … As a junior, he racked up 116 tackles and six sacks … Coached in high school by Andy Dyer.
Myles Hartsfield | DB | 5-10 | 197 | Sayreville, N.J. | Sayreville/East Coast Prep
HIGH SCHOOL: Listed as a 4-star recruit by Scout.com … Ranked the No. 1 prep school safety by 247Sports.com … Recorded 29 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups for ECP in 2015 … Also added 200 yards receiving on offense … As a senior in high school, scored 12 TDs … Coached at ECP by Dick Bell and by George Najjar in high school.
Eli Johnson | OL | 6-1 | 287 | Taylor, Miss. | Lafayette
HIGH SCHOOL: Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Senior Bowl … A consensus 3-star offensive line prospect by the major recruiting services … Ranked the fourth-best center in the nation by 247Sports.com … Helped his home state to a victory in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic … As a senior, helped Lafayette to a 9-3 record and a 4A state quarterfinals appearance … Led the way for Lafayette’s rushing attack that racked up 2,753 yards and 46 TDs … Named first team All-State by The Clarion-Ledger, USA Today andMississippi Association of Coaches … Coached in high school by Eric Robertson … High school teammate of current Rebels D.K. Buford,Tyler Jackson, Jeremy Liggins and Elliot Markuson.
Benito Jones | DT | 6-1 | 305 | Waynesboro, Miss. | Wayne County
HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour All-America selection and MaxPreps Medium Schools All-America pick … Rated a 5-star recruit byESPN.com … Listed as the No.7 overall recruit by ESPN.com, No. 44 by Rivals.com and No. 49 by 247Sports.com … Nationally ranked on the Rivals250, Scout300, 247Sports and ESPN300 lists … Listed as a top-10 national defensive tackle prospect by all the major recruiting services, as high as No. 4 by ESPN.com … Racked up five tackles with 4.0 TFLs and a sack in the Under Armour All-America game … Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Helped Wayne County to a 5A State Championship … As a senior, recorded 83 tackles and 14 sacks … Tabbed the 5A Defensive Player of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Coaches … Named first team All-State by The Clarion-Ledger and USA Today … A member of The Clarion-Ledger’s 2015 Dandy Dozen … Coached in high school by Todd Mangum.
Jaylon Jones | DB | 5-11 | 171 | Allen, Texas | Allen
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … Rated the nation’s ninth-best cornerback byScout.com … Listed as the No. 11 safety in the nation according to ESPN.com and No. 19 according to Rivals.com … Ranked the No. 125 overall prospect according to Scout.com and ranked No. 206 on the ESPN 300 list … Named first team All-State by USA Today after racking up 61 tackles, 11 pass breakups and an interception as a senior … Also tabbed All-County, All-Area (Dallas Morning News) and All-District … Named Allen High School’s Team MVP … Helped Allen to three straight state title appearances, winning back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 … Returned an interception 100 yards against Austin Westlake in the 6A state semifinals … Coached in high school by Tom Westerberg.
Greg Little | OL | 6-6 | 326 | Allen, Texas | Allen
HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour All-America selection and a first team USA Today and MaxPreps All-American … Ranked the No. 1 offensive lineman in the country, a 5-star prospect and a consensus top-five national prospect by all the major recruiting services … Ranked the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect by Scout.com and ESPN.com, No. 4 by Rivals.com and No. 5 by 247Sports.com … Named first team All-State by USA Today and the Associated Press as a senior and junior … Second team USA Today All-American and MaxPreps All-American as a junior … Went 46-1 as a three-year starter for Allen High School … Helped Allen to a 16-0 record and both a state and national championship in 2014 … Was a part of three straight title appearances, winning back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 … Was a first team All-District selection as a sophomore after helping Allen to a 16-0 record and a state championship … Coached in high school by Tom Westerberg … Son of former South Carolina linebacker Derrick Little.
Bryce Mathews | OL | 6-6 | 275 | Brentwood, Tenn. | Brentwood Academy
HIGH SCHOOL: Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Senior Bowl … A 4-star recruit according to Rivals.com, Scout.com and247Sports.com … Listed among the top 250 prospects in the nation by Rivals.com and Scout.com … Ranked the No. 13 offensive tackle by Scout.com and No. 14 by Rivals.com … Listed at the second-best recruit from the state of Tennessee by Scout.com … As a senior, anchored state champion Brentwood Academy’s O-line that allowed just three sacks all season … Named first team All-State by theTennessee Sports Writers Association and USA Today … Named first team All-Midlands by Scout.com … Named to The Tennessean’sAll-Mid-State first team … A finalist for the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman of the Year … Coached in high school by Cody White … High school teammate of Rebel TE Dawson Knox … Son of former NFL offensive lineman Jason Mathews, who played for the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.
Jacob Mathis | TE | 6-4 | 228 | Tampa, Fla. | Berkeley Prep
HIGH SCHOOL: An Under Armour All-America selection … Rated a 4-star prospect and one of the nation’s top 300 overall recruits byScout.com and ESPN.com … Listed as the No. 1 TE-H in the country by ESPN.com and the nation’s No. 8 tight end by Scout.com … Ranked 27th among all Florida prospects, regardless of position, by Scout.com … Tabbed first team All-State by USA Today and second team by the Associated Press after catching 29 passes for 506 yards and seven touchdowns … Scored 29 touchdowns in his prep career … Coached in high school by Dominick Ciao … Also a standout basketball player at Berkeley Prep.
D.K. Metcalf | WR | 6-4 | 206 | Oxford, Miss. | Oxford
HIGH SCHOOL: A U.S. Army and MaxPreps All-America selection … A consensus 4-star prospect by the major recruiting services … Listed as the No. 70 overall recruit and the fifth-best in Mississippi by Rivals.com … Ranked the 14th-best WR recruit in the nation by Rivals.com, No. 18 by Scout.com and No. 19 by 247Sports.com … Earned co-MVP honors of the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic, leading Mississippi to victory with 151 receiving yards and two TDs … As a senior, hauled in 94 passes for 1,455 yards and 22 TDs to lead Oxford to its third straight state championship appearance … Career totals of 224 catches for 3,302 yards and 49 TDs … Named first team All-State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches, USA Today and The Clarion-Ledger … Tabbed 5A Athlete of the Year by the MAC … Daily Journal All-Area selection … A member of The Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen … Coached in high school by Johnny Hill.
Royce Newman | OL | 6-5 | 260 | Nashville, Ill. | Nashville Community
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 4-star prospect by Scout.com and 247Sports.com and ranked among the top 250 national recruits by both outlets … Tabbed the 14th-best offensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com and 24th-best by 247Sports.com … Helped Nashville to the semifinals of the 2A state playoffs … First team Belleville News-Democrat All-Area in both football and basketball, as well as 2A All-State in basketball by the Illinois Football Coaches Association … Played offensive tackle, tight end and defensive end in high school … Coached in high school by Tim Kuhn.
Tre Nixon | WR | 6-1 | 170 | Viera, Fla. | Viera
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a 4-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … Ranked No. 86 overall by Scout.com and No. 190 byESPN.com … Rated the No. 13 WR in the country by Scout.com and No. 25 by ESPN.com … Rated the No. 14 recruit in the state of Florida by Scout.com … 2015 Nike Opening finalist … Caught 79 passes for 1,243 yards and 18 touchdowns – both school records – in his senior year at Viera High School … Finished fourth in the voting for Florida’s Mr. Football award … Florida Dairy Farmers 7A Player of the Year … Named first team All-State by the Associated Press and USA Today … Led Viera to its first two district titles and the 2015 Class 7A state finals … Had 36 catches for 905 yards and 12 TDs as a junior and 30 catches for 636 yards and six TDs as a sophomore … Coached in high school by Kevin Mays.
Shea Patterson | QB | 6-2 | 198 | Shreveport, La. | IMG Academy
HIGH SCHOOL: A U.S. Army and USA Today All-America selection … Ranked the No. 1 QB of the 2016 recruiting class and a 5-star recruit by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com and Scout.com … Listed as the No. 3 overall recruit by Rivals.com, No. 3 by 247Sports.com, No. 4 byScout.com and No. 15 by ESPN.com … Named the MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after completing 6-of-9 passes for 90 yards and two TDs and leading the West to a 37-9 victory over the East … Named the MVP of the Elite 11 QB competition … Led IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) to its first undefeated season in school history as a senior … Was a team captain and named the Offensive Player of the Year at IMG … Named first team All-State by USA Today … Threw for 1,533 yards and 18 TDs as a senior … Led Calvary Baptist (Shreveport, La.) to back-to-back Louisiana Division III state championships during his sophomore and junior seasons … Threw for 2,428 yards and 38 TDs as a junior and 2,655 yards and 34 TDs as a sophomore … Named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-State QB after each season … Coached in high school by Kevin Wright.
D’Vaughn Pennamon | RB | 5-11 | 214 | Manvel, Texas | Manvel
HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the Semper Fidelis All-America Game … Rated a 4-star prospect by all the major recruiting services … Listed in the Rivals 300 and 247Sports Top 247 … Ranked the No. 5 all-purpose back in the country by Rivals.com and 247Sports.comand the 23rd-best RB by Scout.com … Tabbed the 23rd-best player in the state of Texas by Rivals.com … Ranked the No. 6 running back in the state of Texas by Scout.com … Honorable mention All-State pick by the Associated Press after racking up 1,585 rushing yards and 24 TDs, as well as 20 catches for 172 yards and three more scores … Was a second team All-District selection as a junior after rushing for 660 yards and six TDs with 17 catches for 265 yards and seven TDs … In his career, he rushed for 2,565 yards and 33 touchdowns while hauling in 48 passes for 489 yards and 11 touchdowns … Coached in high school by Kirk Martin.
Jarrion Street | RB | 6-2 | 207 | Trussville, Ala. | Hewitt-Trussville
HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star prospect by the major recruiting services … Ranked the No. 28 RB recruit in the nation and the second-best from the state of Alabama by Rivals.com … Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic … As a senior, rushed for 1,400 yards and 16 TDs while adding 157 receiving yards and a TD to lead Hewitt-Trussville to a 7A playoff appearance … Named All-State by theAlabama Sports Writers Association and USA Today … Class 7A Offensive Player of the Year by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association … Coached in high school by Josh Floyd … High school teammate of current Rebels Luke Davis andJohn Youngblood.
Tariqious Tisdale | LB | 6-5 | 249 | Lexington, Tenn. | Lexington
HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 3-star prospect by the major recruiting services … Ranked the second-best DE in the state of Tennessee byScout.com … Listed as the third-best LB in Tennessee by Rivals.com … As a senior, recorded 55 tackles and 12 sacks to help Lexington to a quarterfinals appearance in the Division I 4A State Playoffs … Named All-State by USA Today and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association … Coached in high school by Bryant Hollingsworth.
Chandler Tuitt | OL | 6-4 | 220 | Tyrone, Ga. | Sandy Creek
HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked a 4-star prospect and the 213th-best recruit in the country by ESPN.com … No. 12 ranked offensive guard in the country according to ESPN.com and No. 24 by 247Sports.com … Cleared the way for 2,349 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns his senior season at Sandy Creek … First team Class AAAA All-State as a senior and second team as a junior by the Georgia Sports Writer’s Association … Coached in high school by Chip Walker … High school teammate of Rebel RB Eric Swinney.
Charles Wiley | DE | 6-2 | 250 | Stockbridge, Ga. | Stockbridge
HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus 4-star prospect by the major recruiting services … Ranked the No. 17 weakside DE by Rivals.com and the No. 26 DE by ESPN.com … Nationally ranked on the Scout300, 247Sports and ESPN300 lists … As a senior, racked up 32 tackles and 16.5 sacks to lead Stockbridge to a 12-1 season … Named the Southside Defensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Named All-State by USA Today and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Selected to the AJC’s Super 11 team … As a junior, recorded 57 tackles and 18 sacks … Coached in high school by Kevin Whitley … High school teammate of Rebel DB Kendarius Webster.