Hardie was a first-team All-Conference USA selection and had an impressive 2023 season, recording 61 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. His commitment to Ole Miss is a major win for head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels, who have significantly strengthened their defensive front.

With Hardie’s transfer, Ole Miss has emerged as a major winner in the spring transfer portal cycle. Here’s how the Rebels have bolstered their roster:

• Defensive Line Reinforcement: Chris Hardie adds a key piece to what is now considered one of the best defensive line units in the country. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses will be a crucial asset for the Rebels.
• Running Back Depth: Ole Miss addressed major needs at the running back position, creating the most complete running back room in college football.
• Defensive Back Upgrade: The addition of Isaiah Hamilton, one of the highest-graded defensive backs in the nation, further strengthens the Rebels’ defense.

Ole Miss fans have plenty to be excited about as the team gears up for the upcoming season with these strategic acquisitions. The addition of Chris Hardie and other key transfers has set the stage for a promising year for the Rebels.

Ask Alabama who basically had no one who was tall or quick enough to stop him. Check out the video below of Laquon Treadwell with the Moss over Cyrus Jones:

East Carolina at North Carolina
Bryn Renner hasn’t helped his draft stock much this season, but a weak ECU defense comes to Chapel Hill Saturday to end that. Ruffin McNeil’s Pirates are no strangers to shootouts due to their air raid offense and that bodes well for Mr. Renner who needs a good showing.

No. 6 LSU at No. 9 Georgia
You already know the story here- Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley are going head up with the vaulted LSU defense. It will be interesting to see if Zach Mettenberger can come through for the Tigers as well if the game gets close. Ultimately, this game may be the one that wins the Heisman Trophy for Gurley if he goes Beastmode.

No. 21 Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama
Alabama is rolling downhill on the season (pun intended) and Ole Miss is one of the last formidable regular season match ups. This game not only is huge for AJ McCarron’s draft stock but also those of his linemen namely Cyrus Kouandjio who will see his large share of the #1 ranked incoming freshman: Robert Nkemdiche.

No. 23 Wisconsin at No. 4 Ohio State
Wisconsin is one of the best running teams in the Nation, as they are every year. It is going to be a good matchup between that offensive line and Ohio State’s defensive line to see if Buckeyes LB Ryan Shazier can stop Melvin Gordon and James White.

The thing about these verbal commitments is that they are non-binding. Meaning that if for any reason the 18 year old decides to change his mind, he is free to do just that. The last time I checked 18 year olds change their mind about as often as the wind blows. Thus it is a frustrating time for college recruiters until that signature is signed on the dotted line.

Robert Nkemdiche is doing nothing new. He is weighing his options and letting the teams send their best pitch. Ole Miss has his brother on their team, and Alabama has Nick $aban and his history of creating first round NFL Draft picks.

While he is officially decommitted from Clemson that does not mean he won’t end up there. It just means that it isn’t a guarantee.

We’ll see where Robert decides to Take His Talents in the Spring…

Video below:

The article says, and I quote:

Todd McShay, is considered “a joke” in the league: “McShay does not have any good connections. Higher-ups in the league think he is an arrogant [expletive]. A know-it-all. And he really knows nothing. Whatever he says about a quarterback, take it to the bank, it will be the opposite.” Exhibit A is former Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson, a McShay favorite who went in the sixth round in 2008 and is now out of the league. This year’s Woodson, according to PFT’s scout: Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead,

Wow, just wow.  Not only did McShay’s favorite Andre Woodson wash out of the league but just as the article predicted Jevan Snead did as well.  For those that are wondering, Jevan Snead never made it to training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being picked up as a undrafted free agent and currently plays for the arena league’s Tampa Bay Storm.

This is just a reminder that analysts are not always right and that you should take a lot of what they (even me) say as an opinion and not fact.  Last year McShay argued that Jimmy Clausen would not make it in the NFL while Mel Kiper argued that there is no way he wouldn’t.  Given Todd’s track record I’m actually excited to see how Clausen improves now, and to see if Cam Newton exceeds McShay’s low opinion of him as well.

So this is the perfect storm for Newton to go Vince Young on Ole Miss’ defense and hit the Heisman pose on National TV, right? You’re right, it sure is… but one other person has a LOT to gain from having a good game on the other side of the field.

Jeremiah Masoli. Yes, that Masoli.  The same guy that was quarterbacking the Oregon Ducks two years ago before he was dismissed from the team and hustled the NCAA’s graduate rules to get immediate eligibility at Ole Miss.

I saw him on ESPN’s first take.  He seemed like he really regretted how things shook out at Oregon and is really taking his last chance to heart.  He had a very Mike Vick like “I’m sorry” demeanor as he spoke about his past transgressions.

But now that everything is behind him, Masoli can focus on impressing the NFL scouts.  He is going to be in the 2011 NFL Draft, presumably as a quarterback, and if he has a big game don’t be surprised if you hear his name kicked around the mid rounds of the draft.  The quarterback class this year is going to be very thin past the first round with very few prospects that NFL teams would take a look at beyond a developmental role.  Masoli is interesting to NFL scouts because he has a ton of experience and is very mobile, but he also has those “character issues” to be concerned about.

Masoli you can help himself out a lot this weekend. This could be his time to shine.