The Ole Miss Rebels roster is about to take yet another step in the right direction ahead of what could be the most special season in program history. Why?
Former LSU wide receiver Deion Smith is reportedly finally able to practice with Ole Miss after transferring up from the JUCO level and getting his grades right. Bruce Feldman had the news first as Smith will apparently be suiting up for practice on Tuesday, August 13th to make his debut with the Rebels.
Who is Deion Smith and why does he matter?
Smith was a top tier four star wide receiver recruit at LSU back in 2021 as a part of the same class with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. for the Tigers. And believe it or not, it was Smith, not Nabers or Thomas Jr. who had the fast start that season for LSU. Through his first four college games he racked up 177 yards and two touchdowns on 22 targets, including this beauty in the post below.
However, shortly after flashing potential greatness Smith's grades fell off and concerns outside the football arena quickly led to his departure. Now, three years later Smith is hoping to recapture the magic as the number one overall wide receiver JUCO transfer in the 2024 recruiting cycle.
Smith is fresh off an absolutely wild season where he racked up around 1100 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in just eight games last year. He was looking like his old dominant self all season long and should be ready to push for snaps immediately with Ole Miss.
He won't likely be stealing many snaps from Tre Harris, the incumbent WR1 who tallied nearly 1000 yards and eight scores for Ole Miss last year. However, all 6'3", 200 pounds of Deion Smith's athletic frame could push the much smaller Jordan Watkins and oft-injured Antwane Well Jr. as the season approaches. Smith brings elite speed, ball skills, and much improved technical route running skills than he did a few short years ago as he looks ready to compete against the best of the best.
As Ole Miss fall camp progresses look for updates from Lane Kiffin and the high flying offense as Smith gets fully up to speed. There's a decent chance he becomes their not-so-secret weapon sooner than later.
Related: Three potential Ole Miss Rebels breakout players for the 2024 college football season
Be looking for more Ole Miss Rebels coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
If you want to see some of the upside that Deion Smith could bring to Ole Miss this season just check out some of his JUCO highlights from last season in the video below!
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