Jarell Stinson: "Ole Miss is the next big thing in college football"

Opelika (Ala.) cornerback Jarell Stinson has hopped on the Lane Train. Ole Miss is a hot topic in college football and the 5-foot-10, 160-pound speedster has committed to the Rebels.

“Ole Miss is the next big thing in college football,” Stinson said. “The program is shooting up, Lane Kiffin is a great coach, and it is the perfect time to be part of the Ole Miss program. The program is on the rise.”

The one time Auburn commit said it came down to Ole Miss and Florida. Stinson has run the 100m in 10.51 seconds and the Rebels offered last track season.

Shortly after he decommitted from Auburn in July, the Rebels took their recruitment to another level.

“I think they were on vacation at the time I decommitted, but as soon as they got back and saw it, they really started coming hard. I started talking to coach (Devin) Bush (Director of Football Recruiting) and coach (Terrell) Buckley (Defensive backs) every day.

“That is when things really started to change with me and Ole Miss.”

Visits to Oxford made Stinson feel at home

Stinson then took a visit to Oxford late in July. He returned for the Austin-Peay game earlier this month. He saw all he needed to see.

“I like the campus, the environment, the players, and the coaches at Ole Miss,” said Stinson. “The fans were great at the Austin-Peay game, and I can only imagine what they will be like when an SEC school is there.

“The whole staff made me feel at home when I was on my visits. I knew on that visit to the Austin-Peay game that I was going to Ole Miss.”

Decision was made shortly after game-day visit

The Ole Miss coaches were aware of Stinson’s high interest in their school before he left Oxford. They told him to sleep on it, see how it felt in a few days, then let them know.

“I talked to coach Bush and coach Buckley about two or three days after that visit and told them I was ready to commit. They were super-excited, and it was a great feeling.

“I told them I was locked in and they cannot wait to coach me and get me over there.”

Coach Buckley will be Stinson’s position coach. Ole Miss likes the star out of Alabama as a cornerback first, then maybe some nickel. The defensive backs coach likes what he is getting.

“Coach Buckley is a former first round pick and a big player in the NFL, and he says I remind him of himself. He likes my size, my speed, and my athleticism. He is very excited about working with me and he thinks he can get me to the NFL.”

Playing for Lane Kiffin has Stinson excited

Stinson is excited about learning from Buckley, playing for a program he sees on the rise, and for the man leading the Rebels, coach Kiffin.

The two have gotten to know each other and the future head coach has made an impression.

“Coach Kiffin is coach Kiffin,” said Stinson. “He is an exciting coach that is never boring. He is crazy on the field, he has a great football mind, and I love him as a coach.

“Coach Kiffin has really taken the time to get to know me and I am excited about playing for him.”

Stinson’s official visit to Ole Miss will be for the LSU game October 23.