College Football Top 25: Spring practice 2016 edition

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Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks to throw a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Hugh Freeze is a recruiting mastermind. The Ole Miss head coach has been compiling some of the top recruiting classes in the country for the past few years and he might just have his best ever for 2016. It’s ranked No. 5 in the nation, according to Scout, and features seven of the recruiting service’s top 100 prospects.

Although one of those top prospects happens to be the fourth-best player in the country, five-star quarterback Shea Patterson, Chad Kelly is returning under center for his senior year. The first-year starter for the Rebels played great, passing for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Unfortunately for the 12th-ranked Rebels, leading receiver Laquon Treadwell has declared for the NFL Draft, leaving Quincy Adeboyejo as the top returning wide out. He finished the 2015 season with 38 catches for 604 yards and seven touchdowns. Ole Miss is bringing in four-star wide outs A.J. Brown and Tre Nixon who can compete right away.

The run game will need some major improvement. Jaylen Walton is graduating, but even with him in the backfield, the Rebels were a lackluster rushing team. Ole Miss has three running backs committed in the 2016 class, two four-stars and a three-star, and Akeem Judd and Jordan Wilkins will look to share starting duties.

Ole Miss plays Alabama and Florida State in two of its first three games. Will the Rebels prove to be more than just a “pretty good” SEC team?

Next: 12. Houston Cougars

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