Preseason rankings for any kind list are really just there to generate conversation and excitement as you await the start of play. This list is particularly exciting for Ole Miss fans because not only do the Rebels feature four players on this list, but they have two in the top 10.
Based on my research, Laremy Tunsil is the only player since 2000 to be named in the top 10 of a top 100 preseason list when he was listed at #9 in 2015. This year’s team having two, is special stuff.
So I pulled from ESPN,
On3, USA Today and CBS (top 150) to take a look at how our best players are viewed around the country.
Trinidad Chambliss
- ESPN – #5
- CBS – #3
- On3 – #45
- USA – #2
The On3 outlier really skews his average ranking and I need to find out what they are drinking because I want to avoid it. Chambliss truly is tough to get a real gauge on because he came out of nowhere and the coaching staff that vaulted him to stardom is gone. However, those old coaches didn’t make the throws, he did. He’s electric and if he plays like he did last year and then improves, he’s the best quarterback in the country.
Kewan Lacy
- ESPN – #6
- CBS – #8
- On3 – #12
- USA – #14
If he looks anything like he did last season, he’s easily the best running back in college football. From pass blocking to break away speed, he’s the total package. Lacy has the potential to walk away holding almost every rushing record possible at Ole Miss by season’s end.
Will Echoles
- ESPN – #26
- CBS – unranked
- On3- #23
- USA – #23
Seems to me Echoles is essentially a unanimous top 30 player entering the college football season and CBS is just slow to the party. I get that he may not be the most physically imposing presence, but analytics and game tape both point towards his dominance. Maybe CBS just made a mistake.
Suntarine Perkins
- ESPN – #62
- CBS – #107
- On3 – unranked
- USA – 54
I don’t really think it’s much of a question that Perkins is a top 100 talent in college football. He is undersized to be an EDGE but doesn’t have the traditional linebacker skillset. Maybe his production doesn’t always scream top 100. The dude’s a freak and a crucial part of an SEC defense.
Deuce Alexander
- ESPN – unranked
- CBS – #103
- On3 – unranked
- USA – unranked
A surprise entry to a top preseason list. I believe he is going to surprise a lot of people. He can make the difficult catches and he does it often. He’s not the traditional WR1 type mold and he was battling Stribling, Wallace, Wright and Lee for targets last year. So while he may not make the preseason lists, he will have all the opportunity to be on the post season lists.
The Rebels ended up tied for 9th with Miami and Oklahoma for most players on the ESPN top 100 list. Oregon led the way with eight, followed by Georgia, Texas and Indiana with seven each. Ohio State was alone in fifth with six and Notre Dame, Alabama and LSU each had five.
