Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
The recruiting exploits of Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze have been well documented after bringing in a top-five class to Oxford this winter and is assembling another potential top-five class for 2014. On Monday evening Freeze picked up a commitment from running back Rawleigh Williams III (Dallas, Texas. Bishop Lynch) and is his first in the class of 2015.
God is Great. JUST COMMITTED TO OLE MISS!!!!
— It’s Rawleigh ! (@The3rdRawleigh) April 23, 2013
Williams is the total package at running back and will be exciting to see him mature and develop the next two seasons. He has a great combination of power at over 200-pounds and can just as easily run around and past you with his 4.5-forty yard dash speed.
By the time he enrolls at Ole Miss it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him around the 225-pound mark and 6-feet tall. Those dimensions are eerily similar to the nation’s top player in the nation, running back Leonard Fournette (New Orleans, La. St. Augustine).
After a weekend visit that left the sophomore tailback in awe he decided to make his announcement as quickly as he bursts through the offensive line. In comments made to Damon Sayles of ESPN.com Williams stated he went with the team that believed in him first.
“It’s a great school with great coaches who are great men. When I got on campus, I was blown away. It was unbelievable.”
Ole Miss was the first to offer the sensational sophomore back, but despite his commitment Monday night won’t be his last. He has visited Texas twice in the past year and recently was invited to the “Friday Night Lights” event at Texas A&M, but despite leaving without offers could find one coming in the coming months from the in-state powers.
Freeze and just as importantly his staff is relentless on the recruiting trail and getting a player from the Lone star state to come to Oxford is a testament to the long hard hours they are putting in. The oral commitment from Williams could also aid them in the pursuit of fellow class of 2015 recruit Malik Jefferson (Mesquite, Texas. Poteet).
When Williams arrives on campus he will join a running back core that includes 2013 signees Kailo Moore, Jordan Wilkins, Mark Dodson, Jr and Eugene Brazley. The class of 2014 includes D.K. Bufford (Oxford, Miss. Lafayette) who committed Feb. 13 and could also include top-six running back Racean Thomas (Oxford, Al. Oxford) who has the Rebels among his five finalists.
Last year Williams rushed for 1,191 yards and 14 touchdowns on 191 carries and added 11 receptions for 137 yards and three touchdowns.
Patrick’s a college football writer for Rant Sports and radio host on Sportstownchicago.com. Follow him on Twitter and add him to your Google network.
