NCAA Football

Through the dark days of the Kiffin era—and that certainly includes the disappointment of 2012—there was always one thing USC's head coach could hang his hat on: he was a helluva recruiter.

Even last year's class, with its multitude of last minute defections from players who had given USC their verbal commitments, still featured five Scout.com 5-star recruits among the abundance of 4-star athletes which comprised that class.

Indeed, even avowed Kiffin apologists (yes, that would include me), when faced with the barbs and insults hurled by naysayers regarding him, could point to the fact that year in and year out he delivered incredible recruiting classes.

But could that be changing? Is it possible that even the one thing Kiffin could be counted on for doing—bringing in great recruits—is something that he is no longer capable of producing?

Evidence of such a claim comes in two forms.

One, USC's verbal commitments for the 2014 class consists of five players and the "star ratings" for those players include three 4-stars, one 3-star and one player that is not rated at all.

Certainly not typical of the kind of class USC normally puts together.

Perhaps even more troubling is a recently released list of predictions of where the top 85 players will sign as prognosticated by 247sports.com analyst Shannon Terry.

In that list, Terry has projected exactly one player—cornerback Adoree Jackson—to give the Trojans his "John Hancock" in February when players can sign their letters of intent.

Yes, you read that right. One.

Now it should be noted that this is very early in process and things don't get more fluid than it does when trying to predict where an 18-year-old celebrated athlete plays his college ball.

As a matter of fact, when it comes to trying to figure out where these impressionable kids wind up, there is an old axiom:

"The only thing for sure is that nothing is for sure."

And to be perfectly honest about this, it should be noted that predicting the destinations for these players in May is truly an exercise in futility.

Nonetheless, it may reveal a national perception that the luster of USC may be waning and this may be reflected in the fact that the Trojans are now struggling to get athletes that once flocked to them.

However, there is a simple remedy to overcome this new hurdle in recruiting for Kiffin, and that is to win in 2013.

A good record this year suddenly makes USC relevant again in college football and that, along with the fact that the program offers so much, will translate into a flock of high profile recruits once again scurrying to sign with the Trojans.

Of course, that is easier said than done and with USC not well regarded this year, it remains to be seen just how successful they will be.

So in the final analysis, the question remains:

Is Lane Kiffin losing his touch when it comes to recruiting?

Maybe, maybe not.

I'll let you know for sure in February.

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Through the dark days of the Kiffin era—and that certainly includes the disappointment of 2012—there was always one thing USC's head coach could hang his hat on: he was a helluva recruiter...

Read the full article on Bleacher Report...

Georgia is trying to move into the running for 5-star offensive tackle David Sharpe, and in an effort to stand out amongst some of the best programs in the nation, the Bulldogs are offering the offensive tackle the chance to play basketball as well as football.

At 6'6'', 288 pounds, one can only imagine what Sharpe would be capable of in the post, but that image is eclipsed by the potential he possesses as an offensive lineman.

Sharpe is ranked as the No. 11 offensive tackle in the 2014 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. According to 247Sports alone, he's the No. 2 player at the position. 

Kipp Adams of ESPN.com reports that Sharpe recently took a few visits, visiting Clemson and Georgia this past weekend. According to Adams' report, Mark Richt and the Bulldogs are pitching Sharpe on the possibility of early playing time:

“Mark Richt said he loved what I can do on the field and that I could come in and play as a true freshman if I worked hard,” Sharpe said. “The staff is very down to earth; they do not hold back the truth and they genuinely seemed excited about me. They think I would be a great fit at Georgia.” 

Adams also reports that Georgia is trying to win over Sharpe by pitching hoops as well:

Last year Georgia piqued the interest of 2013 ESPN 300 athlete Brendan Langley when it approached him with the possibility of helping out the Bulldogs’ basketball team as well. Sharpe is an impressive player on the hard court as well, leading his team to the Florida Class 3A state championship earlier this year. He got some big news during his visit to Georgia. 

"Not only was it great to know I could possibly play early at Georgia, but it is also great to know they said I could play basketball there as well, which is a big interest for me,” Sharpe said. “What Georgia did during my visit was not put all their eggs in one basket. They knew my desire to play basketball existed, too, and they showed me that aspect of their program, which really caught my attention.” 

According to Sharpe's 247Sports interest list, Florida and Florida State are currently the top teams, with Alabama and Ohio State falling in behind them. He's a big in-state recruit for both the Seminoles and Gators, so it makes sense that they would have the early edge, and Ohio State and Alabama's respective draws don't need much explaining at the moment.

Those are four great choices for the offensive tackle recruit and it would be hard for any program to break into that group, even a program as good as Georgia.

Success on the recruiting trail often requires being able to stand out in a recruit's mind, and that entails providing him with an opportunity or scenario that other programs will not or cannot. In this case, it looks like Georgia really caught Sharpe's attention by letting him know that he could play basketball as well as football, and that could be just what the Bulldogs need to move up into that group of leaders.

At the very least, it could help Richt and his staff position themselves to make a run at the offensive tackle recruit during the summer, and that can be built on during the fall—especially if Georgia has another great year.

In fact, here's what Sharpe had to say about Georgia after the visit, per Adams:

“My favorite part about Georgia was seeing the facilities, meeting the coaching staff, learning about how they have a great history of players being successful in life after they leave Georgia,” Sharpe said. “My opinion on Georgia definitely improved because I know what I am going into now and where I would be down the road in that atmosphere.” 

Despite what his 247Sports interest list says, Sharpe did admit, per Adams, that he does not have any top schools yet, but he will start that process during his senior year.

Next up  for Georgia will be trying to secure an official visit once Sharpe is able to do so. Whether or not that will actually happen is anyone's guess right now, but Georgia has to feel good about the progress it made with Sharpe and how it went about doing it.

Kudos to Richt and his staff for going out of the box and using basketball to really make an impact during Sharpe's visit.

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With six early entrants to the NFL draft gone from last year's defense, there's a lot of pressure on LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger and first-year offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

While they will soak up most of the preseason spotlight, LSU's success or failure this season may be riding on the shoulders of the Tigers' wide receivers

Despite finishing 11th in the SEC in passing offense last season with 200.5 yards per game, the team's talented and experienced wide receiving corps—highlighted by Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Kadron Boone—has the ability to kick-start the offense and prevent the Tigers from having a true rebuilding season.

While Mettenberger takes a lot of grief for LSU's passing woes, it's not all on him. His wide receivers have room for improvement.

We saw some of that this spring.

Timing is key, and Mettenberger certainly looked like he was on the same page with his wide receivers during the Tigers' 2013 spring game in April.

In the screenshot below, Mettenberger's primary target is Odell Beckham Jr. at the top of the screen. Mettenberger has already set his feet and is in the process of throwing the football as Beckham makes his break on a 10-yard hitch.

The timing wasn't always there last season.

In the screenshot below, which is essentially the same play, Mettenberger is almost done with the throw when Beckham starts his break. This pass fell incomplete and led to a turnover on downs in the second quarter of the Arkansas game.

Sure, timing was disrupted a bit by a blitzing cornerback off the edge, but Beckham could have broken off his route a bit early and this play would have resulted in a first down.

Beckham is the leader of the group and will likely have a decision to make at the end of the season. After all, he is ranked in the top 50 of CBSSports.com's draft-eligible players for the 2014 NFL draft.

But it isn't a one-man show in Baton Rouge.

Landry showed that he has what it takes to become a superstar last season with 56 catches for 573 yards and five scores, leading the Tigers in receptions and touchdowns.

During his first two years in Baton Rouge, Landry has proven that he has the ability to make the highlight-reel catch, including a spectacular one-handed grab in the final game of the regular season against Arkansas.

The 6'1", 195-pounder will be counted on this year to be a big-play receiver and someone who can go over the middle and take the punishment. According to ESPN.com, Landry looked the part of a superstar this spring. 

Timing was an issue with all of LSU's wide receivers last spring, but Landry showed that he and Mettenberger were on the same page during the spring game, as he caught six passes for 132 yards—including this tough catch over a safety on a corner route.

If Boone takes the next step, this wide receiving corps could be one of the best in the SEC.

The 6'0", 207-pound senior caught 26 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns last season. He has the big body and plays physical, but needs to be more consistent with his route running and getting separation from defensive backs.

He only caught one pass in the spring game, but it was nice 35-yard reception in which Zach Mettenberger hit him in stride down in tight coverage. 

Don't fall into the trap and write this LSU team offense off because it sputtered at times last season.

The experience and depth at wide receiver is going to be a huge benefit to Mettenberger, especially now that Cameron is calling the shots on offense. The trio of Beckham, Landry and Boone has a ton of talent and will be pushed by James Wright and several incoming freshmen this summer.

LSU's wide receivers could be one of the SEC's most pleasant surprises this season. They have the talent, and now that they've had time to become even more familiar with Mettenberger, it could be all LSU needs to re-energize the offense.

 

Follow @BarrettSallee

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Ford Field has decided to kick out the little guys and add a little more excitement to the bowl season. Once the proud host of the Little Caesar Pizza Bowl, Ford Field will likely play host to a matchup between BCS conference teams beginning in 2014.

Brett McMurphy of ESPN reported the news:

Say goodbye to another cheesy bowl name.

The Little Caesar Pizza Bowl, which has gone by many different names, has been played at Ford Field since 1997. Usually a matchup between teams from the Big Ten, MAC and Sun Belt, it isn't quite one of those bowls that is high on the college football radar. However, seven of the last eight games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Even with the reputation of a game that comes down to the wire, attendance dipped drastically last season, according to USA Today.

A possible meeting between Michigan and Florida State does sound a lot more appealing than being forced to watch Florida International and Toledo.

A chance to host the Wolverines at Ford Field would also fill the seats and bring in big numbers for everybody involved. The only thing these bowl sites can hope for is a packed house.

The loser in all of this would be the fans of the MAC, who didn't have to travel across the country to see their favorite teams play. The winner is Ford Field, which will see a spike in interest due to a more competitive and sexier bowl matchup.

 

Follow @Randy_Chambers

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According to the rumors, Eddie Vanderdoes, 2013 5-star defensive tackle, may not play football at Notre Dame. If these rumors are true, this will impact the Fighting Irish in a big way, both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Joe Davidson of sacbee.com has been close to Vanderdoes throughout the process of his recruitment. Davidson reports that the 5-star defensive tackle may not end up in South Bend, despite singing a letter of intent back in February:

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Placer High School senior defensive end signed a national letter of intent in February with Notre Dame, ending a whirlwind recruiting run, but there was rampant speculation on the Internet from media outlets, recruiting services and chat boards professing to be in the know on Monday night that the All-American may not head to South Bend.

Speculation about Vanderdoes ranged from character concerns to an academic fall out. Vanderdoes' coaches continued to rave about his upstanding character on Monday, and his father Eddie Vanderdoes on Monday night texted of his son, "One thing I can tell you is grades or eligibility is not and has never been an issue."

He added in the text, "let people speculate, but you will be the first to know, as always, when it's time to let people know."

The most important thing to take out of this is that the rumors are indeed just that—rumors. Davidson's report wasn't able to confirm nor deny the rumors of Vanderdoes potentially not playing for Notre Dame, but it does debunk the rumors character or academic concerns, though, so take that how you will. 

Still, where there's smoke there's usually some sort of fire, so one would be remiss not to at least examine the possibility of life without Vanderdoes for the Fighting Irish.

At 6'2'', 310 pounds Vanderdoes could play nose tackle in Notre Dame's 3-4 scheme, which would be perfect because star nose tackle Louis Nix III is a senior this year and the NFL is calling. That said, Vanderdoes also has the quickness and technique to play defensive end in the 3-4, and that's huge for Notre Dame considering that junior Stephon Tuitt could very well bolt for the NFL after next season as well.

Fellow 2013 signees Isaac Rochell or Jacob Matuska have potential, but Rochell still needs to put on mass at just 6'5'', 260 pounds and Matuska seems to be more of a situational player at 6'5'', 240 pounds, running a 4.70 40, according to 247Sports. Even if they exceeded expectations, neither player projects to have the dominant presence that Vanderdoes would have for Notre Dame. 

Looking at the current depth chart, Sophomore Sheldon Day doesn't have the size to play the nose—thus he projects as an end—and Jarron Jones (6'5'', 299 pounds) is still somewhat of an unknown after a redshirt season. Jones may also be better suited  on the edges of the defensive line because of his height.

If Vanderdoes was to exit the picture for Notre Dame, there would be some major concerns and uncertainties, specifically at defensive tackle, in 2014. The Fighting Irish could get away with potentially losing Vanderdoes in 2013, but that loss could cause some serious trouble for the defensive line rotation in 2014 and beyond.

Switching gears to the 2014 recruiting class, losing Vanderdoes would make the commitments of 4-star defensive end Andrew Trumbetti (6'5'', 250 pounds) and 4-star defensive tackle Jay Hayes (6'5'', 260 pounds) that much more important. Still, much like 2014 commits Rochell and Matuska, both 2014 commitments will need to bulk up to play in the 3-4.

That's also assuming that they stay committed until singing day, which is never a guarantee.

That would also increase the need to go after elite defensive linemen recruits like 4-star defensive tackles Khari Clark and Josh Frazier, but Notre Dame will have major competition. The Fighting Irish are in the top six on Clark's 247Sports interest list, but Miami is the top team. Notre Dame is in Josh Frazier's top five (247Sports), but so is Alabama, Arkansas, Texas A&M and USC. 

If Notre Dame was to lose Vanderdoes it would create pressure to land a star defensive tackle recruit in 2014, but frankly, even Clark and Frazier aren't anywhere near Vanderdoes' level just yet.

All of this said, let's refocus on the fact that, for now, this is just a rumor. Also, if the rumor is proven true, Notre Dame would have the power to say no to Vanderdoes leaving. 

Still, that would become a rough situation especially from a PR standpoint, and does a coach really want a player on his roster that isn't invested in being there?

Most coaches would say no to that question.

Notre Dame's 2013 class appeared to be dominant and the future of the program looked bright. While losing one player wouldn't completely derail the class or its potential, the possibility of losing Vanderdoes is certainly one that should be worrisome for Notre Dame.

Right now it's just a rumor, and hopefully for Notre Dame, that's all it will ever be.

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The watch list for the 2013 Rimington Trophy has been released, and it includes 44 players in all. The award will be handed out to the most outstanding center in college football at the end of the season.

Center is often a position that is overlooked in today's game. With most focused solely on the skill position players, a lot of the stars wouldn't be as well-known if it wasn't for a productive and aggressive offensive line. The award was first introduced in 2000, and it's good to see this position receive some credit for the job these guys do.

The SEC leads the list with nine candidates, while the Pac-12 and MWC is second with five nominees.

Here are the five best contenders for the Rimington Trophy.

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College football fans, and by extension fans of recruiting, eagerly await moments like this to break up the long and grueling offseason.

Rivals.com released its updated "Rivals100" Monday afternoon, a compilation of the top football recruits in the country, and four high school prospects earned their fifth stars in the latest ranking.

Three of those four new 5-star recruits are being heavily recruited by the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Linebacker Raekwon McMillan, offensive tackle Damian Prince and running back Joe Mixon joined the group that now includes 18 recruits who are rated 5-star prospects by Rivals.

McMillan, who has nearly 30 offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas and many others, lists Ohio State as his leader at the moment. The 6'2", 240-pound linebacker out of Hinesville, Ga. piled up an incredible 152 tackles during his junior season, 22 of which were made behind the line of scrimmage.

Ohio State's biggest recruiting need in the 2014 cycle is offensive line, and there are few better prospects in the country than Prince. The 6'6", 300-pound offensive tackle has tremendous speed and footwork for his size, which is exactly what Urban Meyer looks for in his offensive linemen.

Mixon is one of the most sought-after running backs in the country, holding over 40 offers from some of the top programs in the nation. The Buckeyes will have an uphill battle pulling this California prospect to the East Coast, though, as he currently favors USC, Cal, Oklahoma and Texas.

Watch analysis on the three targets listed above here.

Only one of Ohio State's eight current commits appears in the updated Rivals100 (4-star cornerback Damon Webb at No. 35). Three of Ohio State's eight commits are 4-star prospects (Webb, Kyle Trout and Kyle Berger), while the other five (Marcelys Jones, Parris Campbell, Sam Hubbard, Lonnie Johnson and Dylan Thompson) have been rated 3-star recruits by Rivals.

It's still very early, though, and Ohio State is heavily in the mix for a number of prospects who made Rivals' cut, including:

• Defensive end Lorenzo Carter (No. 5)
• Cornerback Tony Brown (No. 14) 
• Offensive tackle Braden Smith (No. 22)
• Quarterback Kyle Allen (No. 27)
• Cornerback Marshon Lattimore (No. 45) 
• Defensive end Jalyn Holmes (No. 48)
• Linebacker Clifton Garrett (No. 55)
• Wide receiver Demarre Kitt (No. 68)
• Wide receiver Mark Andrews (No. 71)
• Offensive guard Demetrius Knox (No. 87)
• Offensive tackle Jamarco Jones (No. 97)

Ohio State won't land all of these prospects, of course, but considering where the Buckeyes stand for many of the recruits listed above, it should be another fantastic recruiting haul for Meyer in 2014.

 

David Regimbal is the lead Ohio State football writer for Bleacher Report.
Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412. 

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Finite Math supplement books are now selling better than booze at the University of Minnesota.

Yes, somehow, some way, an institute of higher education managed to come up in the red after an entire football season of selling beer to young adults who truly want nothing else in the world on a fall Saturday afternoon or night (via Deadspin).

After signing a deal with national concessionaire Aramark, the university began selling beer at Golden Gophers home games in TCF Bank Stadium, and the end result was a $16,000 net loss for the school. 

"I think it was a surprise we lost money,” said David Benedict, the school’s executive associate athletic director. "We were not happy when we realized the fact that we had not shown a net profit." 

How does that happen? I’m no thermodynamics expert, but I know we have rules in this world, and this is one of them:

(Drunk college students) plus (alcohol vendors) equals (student loan money thrown at you)

This isn’t going to code. There’s a glitch in the matrix here and it’s probably the fact that buying stadium beer is a lot like getting a divorce. Both deal with a hefty sum of money changing hands that neither party believes the other deserves, and it generally only occurs after all other possibilities have been exhausted.

There’s also the crying. Don’t forget about the crying. 

So yes, the likely problem here is the cost of the beer, which Minnesota was selling at $7.25 a pop. It’s not a $12 cup of Wrigley Field regret, but it’s a heady price for any college kids looking to staunch their cash hemorrhaging and spending their indebted money wisely. 

Who’s to blame in this scenario? The university, obviously, for multiple reasons. 

First off, there’s something to be said about an institution that charges college students money for an education and then double-pumps them for tickets and beer at games. That’s a winning racket.

With that being said, the real problem here is the university’s overestimation of its stadium security. If you went to college, you’ll know this—college kids possess a wily, low cunning that’s almost impossible to hinder. They have a will to drink cheaply and they’ll find a way to pilfer their own goods into the stadium.

Alas, beer will continue to be sold at TCF Bank Stadium, as Minnesota has renegotiated a deal with Aramark that reimburses the university $37,000 for its own failure to sell beer.

The beer price is too damn high.

Follow @Dr__Carson

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Five-star wide receiver Ermon Lane has receiver coaches on their toes for his potential commit. 

The 6'3", 193 lb. Sunshine State native is uncommitted and has offers from Alabama, Florida and Miami. Lane's great route running and speed make him a solid target at the collegiate level

Watch this video to see Ermon Lane bully defenders in the open field. 

 

Highlights courtesy of Prepforce.com.

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Five-star running back Joseph Yearby is one of two sensational running backs out of Miami Central High this year.

Yearby has decided to stay in his hometown and play for the Miami Hurricanes. At 5'9", 190lbs, his quickness and cutting ability sets him apart from most in the 2014 class.

Take a look at the video showing off Yearby's raw talent and power.

 

Highlights courtesy of Prepforce.com.

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Every year there seems to be a few teams that come out of nowhere and either contend for the division title or become competitive when nobody thought they would. 

In 2012, we saw Texas A&M shed the label of a soft team in favor of a more appropriate one—"SEC contender." The Ole Miss Rebels went from doormat to competitive in Year 1 under head coach Hugh Freeze, finishing 7-6 with close losses to Texas A&M, LSU and Vanderbilt.

Which teams flew under the radar this spring and are set to make a splash in 2013?

SEC lead writer Barrett Sallee examines in this edition of "The Program."

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Four-star quarterback Michael O’Connor breaks down his recruiting process and why he will succeed at the collegiate level.  

The 6'4", 223 lb stud is currently attending the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

His size and mobility are two key assets that will contribute to his success at the next level. The uncommitted prospect is being recruited by many schools but seems to be leaning toward Michigan State, Penn State and Vanderbilt.

Watch the video to see O’Connor talk about each coach recruiting him, and his impressive passing ability.

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Marlon Humphrey is in a class of his own when it comes to cornerback recruits in the 2014 class.

The Birmingham native is 6’1” and 175 pounds of pure muscle, with the ability to break a long touchdown at any given time. The uncommitted prospect is still up for grabs, with schools including Alabama, Florida and Florida State fighting for his talent.

Watch the video to see Humphrey make some ridiculous interceptions against his opponents.

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Accuracy is crucial on the collegiate level, and these five quarterbacks are on the top of the list. Here we have our top five most accurate quarterbacks of the 2014 class.

247Sports national recruiting director JC Shurburtt gives us insight on why he thinks these athletes are the best at what they do. 

QB Andrew Ford has impressive throwing ability and touch, which landed him on the list of most accurate passers. Which other quarterbacks made the list? Who deserves to be the most accurate?

Watch the video to see who ranks among the most accurate passers of this elite class.

Highlights Courtesy of 247Sports.com.

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Michigan is coming off an 8-5 campaign and a trip to the Outback Bowl. 

While players such as quarterback Denard Robinson, defensive end Craig Roh and receiver Roy Roundtree are no longer with the team, there are some individuals who showed glimpses of their potential in 2012 who figure to break out in 2013.

Here's a look at my top three breakout candidates for the Wolverines in 2013-14.

 

3. Thomas Gordon, S

In survey of 19 departing seniors conducted by WolverineNation, strong safety Thomas Gordon was one of the names pegged to have a breakout season in 2013-14.

One player said, via Michael Rothstein of WolverineNation:

Thomas Gordon is going to have a really good year next year. He's motivated, understands the system. He gets the defensive system just as well as Jordan Kovacs. He's a great communicator and a guy I expect is going to pretty much take the senior leadership role in the defensive backfield and have some success.

Gordon racked up 81 tackles in 13 starts last season, via CFBStats.com. He was the third-leading tackler on Michigan. He also collected two interceptions, one sack and forced a fumble.

The redshirt senior has already shown he can play with the big boys. In a leadership role, with an extra offseason under his belt, expect him to build on his 2012 campaign and be a high-impact player for the Wolverines.

 

2. Jeremy Gallon, WR

The emergence of quarterback Devin Gardner has also paved the way for a breakout campaign for Jeremy Gallon.

Gallon caught fire with Gardner under center, posting a combined 511 yards and three touchdowns in Gardner's five starts. That included racking up 145 yards and two touchdowns against South Carolina in the Outback Bowl.

Even before Gallon's run, he had posted 107 yards against eventual national champion Alabama in the first game of the 2012 campaign. He averaged 16.92 yards per catch, 27th in the nation, via CFBStats.com.

 

1. Devin Gardner, QB

After Denard Robinson went down with an injury in October against Nebraska, Devin Gardner was asked to take his spot under center for the Wolverines. He ended up remaining as the starter even when Robinson was cleared to take the field again.

All Gardner did in his first game as a starter was account for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in the 35-14 blowout victory over Minnesota. He then accounted for 15 touchdowns in his final four starts (nine passing, six rushing).

Gardner did toss four interceptions in that span, but there's hope that he can take better care of the ball with an offseason to work on his game.

The redshirt junior showed better command with the football in his five starts last season than Robinson did during his career at Michigan. Gardner's composure was particularly impressive, given that he was thrown to the wolves with Robinson going down.

 

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The Kansas State Wildcats have some big holes to fill this summer after losing some of the biggest players from their 2012 team that won the Big 12. 

Perhaps most notably is the departure of two-year starter and Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein, who is trying to get signed in the NFL as a QB. 

Other notable players the Wildcats will have to replace this offseason include Chris Harper, Arthur Brown, Braden Wilson and Anthony Cantele. 

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Few people have contributed more heart and soul to Ole Miss than Mr. Jake Gibbs.

Through his unwavering commitment, dedication and love of all things Ole Miss, Gibbs has become a Rebel treasure. 

With the current buzz surrounding the Rebel football program, now is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the career of a man that helped shape Ole Miss athletics for decades.

Recently, I was afforded an opportunity to visit and talk sports with the living legend. It was like sitting down for a history lesson with your grandfather, as the warm, outgoing family man remembered dates, scores and conversations as if everything he recalled happened yesterday.   

At 74 years old, the Grenada, MS native has officially been part of the Ole Miss family since first signing to play football in the late 1950’s. While initially recruited to only play football, he let recruiters know of his desire to play both football and baseball from day one.

Not only did Ole Miss push hard for Gibbs’ services, but so did folks in Starkville. Fortunately for Rebel fans, a home game on November 15, 1952 ultimately helped seal the deal for Ole Miss.

Gibbs recalled, “When I decided to play football in college, it was the 1952 Ole Miss, Maryland game with QB Jimmy Lear that made up my mind. When Ole Miss beat Maryland, it really put Ole Miss on top nationally.”

Thanks to the program-building win in 1952, coach John Vaught landed an eventual Rebel great.

 

Gridiron Greatness

A two-time national champion at Ole Miss (1959 and 1960), Gibbs went a combined 23-3-1 while playing QB in coach Vaught’s motion offense. Gibbs said of playing for Vaught, “I really loved him, and everyone respected him.” The two shared a special relationship which translated into incredible success on the field.

While the Rebs went 9-2 in 1958, including a win over Florida in the Gator Bowl, 1959 would serve as Gibbs’ coming out party. As a junior in 1959, he helped his club earn a share of the national championship with a 21-0 win over LSU in the Sugar Bowl.

During that special season, Gibbs remembered a classic Vaught moment.

He recalled, “We played Arkansas at Crump Stadium in Memphis. He (Vaught) gave one hell of a pre-game motivational speech, and got the locker room shaking. It was one of the best I’ve ever heard.” The riveting pep talk carried over to the field, as Ole Miss topped the Hogs 28-0 that day.

Leading the SEC in both passing and total offense in 1959, Gibbs was a first-team All-SEC selection. Later, he would go on to become part of the 1959 SEC Team of the Decade.

As good as 1959 was for the standout, Gibbs’ senior year would cement his legacy as an Ole Miss great. A co-captain with guard John Warner Alford Jr. in 1960, Gibbs led the Rebels to a 10-0-1 record with a win over Rice in the Sugar Bowl (scoring both Rebel touchdowns in the game). In leading his team to victory, Gibbs received the Miller-Digby Award as the game's most outstanding player.

Not only was the senior named a 1960 All-American and the SEC Back and Player of the Year, but he also finished third place for the Heisman Trophy. However, it was much harder to gain recognition as a potential Heisman candidate during his playing days than it is today.

Along those lines, Gibbs credits former Ole Miss sports information director Billy Gates for truly getting his name on the Heisman ballot by mailing out countless promotional letters. Minus the major media coverage surrounding the Heisman today, Gibbs said he actually discovered his finalist status one day while reading a newspaper.  

Having been a part of countless special games over his career, I asked Gibbs what games stood out as the most memorable (minus the 1959 Halloween night game). With a mind like a steel trap, he quickly recounted three contests. “I had a good game at Mississippi State my junior year. We beat them 42-0. I remember Tennessee my senior year. We won 24-3, and hadn’t won in Knoxville before then for a long, long time. Then we played Arkansas in Little Rock my senior year and won 10-7.”

 

Diamond Dominance

While Gibbs excelled at football, the 1960 and 1961 All-American was equally as impressive on the baseball field. In fact, he became a legend at both in Oxford. 

During his pursuit by then-football recruiting coordinator and baseball coach Tom Swayze, Gibbs remained up front with Vaught and Swayze about his desire to play both sports.

It’s a good thing coaches listened, as Gibbs helped Ole Miss capture its first SEC Baseball Championship in 1959. The very next season, the Rebels won another SEC Championship. To this day, his batting average still hovers near the top of Ole Miss record books.

In 1961, the two-sport star was drafted by the New York Yankees.

As a Yankee, he would enjoy a 10-year career in the big leagues. New York management moved him to catcher, where he would eventually start in between the careers of Yankee catchers Elston Howard and Thurman Munson. 

It wasn't soon after his 1971 retirement that Ole Miss would call him home. He noted, “Ole Miss rubs off on you, and you don’t realize how good you’ve got it until you’re gone. People leave and say 'God I miss that place.'”

Soon after his playing career ended, Gibbs returned to Ole Miss to coach the diamond Rebs after coach Swayze retired. Compiling a career coaching mark of 485-389-8, Gibbs sits only behind Mike Bianco as the all-time winningest Rebel baseball coach.

Due in part to taking his team to the 1972 College World Series (the last time Ole Miss reached the CWS), Gibbs was named 1972 SEC Coach of the Year. A few years later in 1977, he would claim the award for a second time.

Today, more than one Gibbs can be found around Swayze Field in Oxford. Redshirting this season, Gibbs' grandson, Luke Gibbs, hopes to make a splash as an infielder in the not-too-distant future.  

 

Once a Rebel, Always a Rebel

On a visit to Oxford one Yankee offseason, Gibbs decided to watch Vaught’s Rebels practice one afternoon from afar. When the head coach caught a glimpse of his former QB, he quickly motioned for Gibbs to join him down on the field.

Frustrated with his quarterbacks’ inability to get to the outside, Vaught told Gibbs, “Show them how to run 36 Slant.” Not wanting to interrupt the flow of practice, Gibbs kindly told his coach that he’d prefer to just watch.

Gibbs recalled that without hesitation Vaught shouted, “I don’t give a damn, show ‘em how it’s done.” From that day forward, the two-time national champion would help coach Rebel quarterbacks in Oxford when he wasn’t playing baseball.

While he developed a number of Rebel signal-callers, the player he impacted the most was likely 1970 Heisman Trophy finalist Archie Manning. Ironically, Manning went on to finish third for the Heisman (as would son Eli in 2003), just like his coaching mentor in 1960.

Today, Gibbs lives right around the corner from the Eli’s offseason home in Oxford. Who knows, maybe the younger Manning will also help develop Rebel quarterbacks once his playing career ends?

 

Looking Towards the Future

As our conversation neared an end, the topic shifted to the current state of Ole Miss football.  

Reflecting on last season Gibbs said:

"When the season started, I don’t think a lot of people knew what to expect. That staff did one of the best jobs anywhere. I was so proud of them. The kids came in and understood what he (Freeze) was all about, how he was going to run things, to go to class and that they’d be held accountable. He did it in a way where players accepted his whole philosophy. He laid the groundwork and they accepted it, and I think you’re going to see the same thing this year."

As for what advice he would give to the incoming recruiting class, he suggested:

"They (incoming recruits) need to get adjusted to college life as quick as they can, with an understanding they are student-athletes and will be held to standards as a football player and a student. Keep your nose clean. Stay out of trouble and just do your job."

Gibbs certainly did his job in school, and he’ll forever be remembered as one of the greatest Rebels of all-time. In fact, no student-athlete may ever again leave the type of legacy Gibbs did at Ole Miss.

Jake Gibbs remains the essence of what it truly means to be an Ole Miss Rebel.

 

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Ka’Deem Carey was able to burst onto the scene last season as a sophomore, leading the nation with over 1,900 rushing yards and totaling 23 touchdowns on the ground.  Now, being a year older and entering his second year in Rich Rodriguez’s spread attack, Carey will look to stay atop the leading rushers in the country and cement himself as a Heisman trophy contender.

At 5’11, 203 pounds, Carey is a nightmare for defenders in the open field.  He has the ability to run through arm tackles and can also take a defender for a ride if tackled up high.  Though his top-end speed isn’t great, Carey’s vision is what separates him.  Once he spots a hole, he’s able to hit it as fast as any running back in the country.

Looking at Rich Rod’s running backs he’s coached in the past, evidence points for an improvement for Carey in 2013.  

At West Virginia in 2001, running back Avon Cobourne rushed for 1,298 yards during his first season.  Fast forward a year and you’ll see his numbers jumped by nearly 500 yards, increasing his total amount to 1,710.  This can be seen for Steve Slaton as well, who jumped from 1,128 yards in 2005, to 1,744 in 2006.  An increase of over 600 yards.

If this trend carries over to Carey, he could be in for a season that sees him eclipse well over 2,000 rushing yards.  If that’s the case, how could you leave him out of the Heisman discussion?  You couldn’t.  Heck, it was a shame there was no mention of him last season in the discussion.

Naturally, teams in general make a noticeable leap when entering a coach’s second season.  Yes, the Cats lost their QB to the NFL, but they have others with a year’s experience under their belts.  The receivers and the offensive line will naturally improve now that they know what to expect with the new coaching staff, and because of this, Carey will benefit greatly.  

The schedule isn’t too daunting, either.  With the first three games consisting of Northern Arizona, UNLV, and UTSA, Carey should be able to rack in huge numbers depending on how much playing time he actually receives.  Arizona also misses Stanford and Oregon State on the schedule, who were two of the top three defensive teams in the conference last season.   

This is shaping up to be another incredible season by Ka’Deem Carey, and the funny thing is, most of the nation still doesn’t know who he his.  If he is able to elevate his game even more than last season, the Tucson native should receive serious Heisman consideration.  No one can predict injuries, but if Carey is able to stay healthy all season, he will, again, be the leading rusher in college football.  

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Ka ’Deem Carey was able to burst onto the scene last season as a sophomore, leading the nation with over 1,900 rushing yards and totaling 23 touchdowns on the ground...

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