‘Like adding butter to your meal’: On3’s J.D. PicKell likes fit of Juice Wells at Ole Miss
Ole Miss on Monday continued to add to a transfer-portal class that ranks as one of, if not the best, in the nation.
The Rebels landed a commitment from Mississippi State cornerback Decamerion Richardson. Richardson follows South Carolina wide receiver Juice Wells, who announced for Ole Miss on Sunday.
The Rebels are also in a leading position for Texas A&M transfer defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Nolen visited campus over the weekend. However, as the Spirit’s Chuck Rounsaville is reporting, Georgia is making a real push.
However, with or without Nolen, the top-ranked player in the portal, On3 national college football analyst J.D. PicKell is impressed by the Rebels’ work so far.
“This is what Lane Kiffin does,” PicKell said, in a recent edition of The Hard Count. “He’s elite at this. Ole Miss has always been great in portal, including two Top 10 classes. But the next step they have right now, that they’re taking advantage of, is the way they’re stacking the trenches on the defensive line.
“Landed Tyler Baron from Tennessee. Landed Princely Umanmielen from Florida. There’s also currently a prediction out there from Pete Nakos here at On3 for Walter Nolen (to choose Ole Miss). The defense, the trenches, that’s the difference-maker in competing for the SEC title.
“Lane Kiffin’s a great fit in Oxford, and the way he’s attacking the portal is a prime example of that.”
Wells visited Ole Miss a few weeks ago and provides Kiffin yet another dynamic weapon in an already-loaded Rebel offense.
The Rebels are returning two of their top three receivers (Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins), as well as their starting tight end, Caden Prieskorn. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is widely expected to return for what will be his third and final Ole Miss season. Record-setting running back Quinshon Judkins will be a junior.
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Wells could very well slide into the starting role vacated by Dayton Wade. Harris, Watkins and Wade each had 700 or more yards receiving this season. They were the only trio in college football to do so.
“I like this fit a lot,” PicKell said. Wells missed most of last season with an injury, but he was one of the top wide receiver threats in 2022, when he had 68 catches for 928 yards.
“Juice Wells is a lot like adding butter to a meal; you can always use more butter. You always want a playmaker like Juice Wells. You always want someone like him on your roster catching passes for your quarterback.
“I love what he does after the catch. Obviously what he did in 2022, he put on a clinic and a half. But I’m excited to see what he does in this offense now. For Lane Kiffin, you know he’s going to be aggressive and creative in getting him the ball.”
Recruiting is in a dead period, but Ole Miss remains in the midst of practices for the Peach Bowl, its second New Year’s Six appearance in four seasons under head coach Lane Kiffin. The Rebels take on Penn State for the first time in history on December 30 at 11 a.m. CT.
Wells started his collegiate career at James Madison, racking up 1,853 yards and 21 touchdowns over two seasons.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.
