The transfer portal has already started to shake up college football rosters across the country and the early national signing day will do the same on Dec. 21. Here are seven questions Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Jackson State and Southern Miss fans should be ponder before signing day.
Will Ole Miss commit Suntarine Perkins sign with Alabama football?
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was in Hattiesburg to watch Perkins deliver Raleigh its first state championship. The four-star recruit had 334 yards rushing and four TDs along with six tackles as the Lions escaped with a 55-52 victory.
The only issue is that Kiffin has to go above and beyond to secure a signature for the Rebels. Alabama and coach Nick Saban have continued to pursue the longtime Ole Miss commitment.
The Crimson Tide have continued to put Perkins' ultimate decision in doubt. Saban could steal the No. 1 player in the state less than two months after defeating the Rebels 30-24 in Oxford.
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Will Oregon commit Dante Dowdell flip to Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss?
Dante Dowdell isn't just the No. 1 running back in the state; he's one of the top tailbacks in the country. The Oregon commitment is the No. 7 running back in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
The four-star recruit had 2,165 yards and 31 TDs as he led the Maroon Tide to consecutive MHSAA Class 5A championships. Dowdell has been an Oregon commitment since May but Kiffin made an in-home visit with the senior on Monday.
Kiffin looks to turn Dowdell into his next Quinshon Judkins. The freshman led the SEC in rushing this season.
Will Isaac Smith pick Ole Miss, Mississippi State or leave MS?
Isaac Smith's recruitment will be the biggest surprise on early signing day. The four-star recruit was Mr. Football for MHSAA Class 4A and did it all for Itawamba AHS.
Smith had 913 rushing yards, 762 receiving yards and 32 TDs along with 76 tackles, four for loss, 10 interceptions, five passes defended and a forced fumble in 11 games.
The senior has family ties in Oxford, as his father played for Ole Miss in the 1990s, but the Bulldogs have also recruited him heavily.
The real question is whether Ole Miss or MSU can keep him away from Texas A&M, LSU and Vanderbilt among others.
Can Ole Miss flip Kelley Jones from Mississippi State?
Mississippi State won this year's Egg Bowl but Kiffin has a chance to spoil signing day for the Bulldogs. Jones has been committed to Leach and MSU for nearly six months, but Ole Miss offered him on Wednesday at the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game.
The three-star defensive back had 79 tackles, seven passes defended and a fumble recovery in 12 games. Jones helped lead Clarksdale to a 10-2 record and advance to the second round of the MHSAA Class 4A playoffs.
It would be a surprise but a major win for Kiffin if he could flip Jones after arriving extremely late in his recruitment.
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Can Mike Leach land Caleb Bryant for Mississippi State?
Gabriel Moore, a three-star defensive lineman, committed to Mississippi State shortly after leading Louisville to a 17-14 victory in the MHSAA Class 4A championship. Moore had 116 tackles, 39 for loss, 12 sacks and five forced fumbles in 13 games.
Moore and Joseph Head are Leach's two defensive line commitments. The Bulldogs could add another on early signing day.
Three-star recruit Caleb Bryant included Mississippi State in his top eight schools along with Oregon, Southern California, Nebraska, Miami, Missouri and Jackson State.
Bryant would be a massive pickup for Leach. The senior is the No. 54 defensive lineman nationally.
How will Jackson State football recruit without Deion Sanders?
Deion Sanders' departure for Jackson State could leave a void in recruiting. The Tigers, fresh off winning consecutive SWAC Championships, lost commitments from three-star recruits Robert Lockhart, Jordan Hall and Twan Wilson following Colorado announcing Sanders as its new coach.
Last year, JSU made national news by signing Travis Hunter, the No. 1 recruit in the nation. Sanders bolting for the Buffaloes is sure to dampen signings with Jackson State in December.
Does Will Hall land his future QB for Southern Miss?
Southern Miss had a carousel at quarterback this season that included Ty Keyes, Zach Wilcke, Jake Lange and Trey Lowe III. Coach Will Hall's 2023 recruiting class could help provide some stability.
The Golden Eagles have two quarterback commitments: Alabama's Ethan Crawford and Texas' Austin Gonzalez.
Hall, an offensive-minded coach, needs to bolster the quarterback room as Southern Miss looks to build upon a 6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt season and a trip to the LendingTree Bowl.
