‘He’s that dude’: Ole Miss great Shay Hodge sets ‘Flagship’ stage for Deion Smith’s arrival

LSU transfer wide receiver Deion Smith’s two-year journey to Ole Miss is finally complete.

Smith reported for preseason camp on Friday. He still has some academic hurdles to clear. Still, Smith, the No. 1 JUCO prospect in the country, is officially a Rebel.

All-time Ole Miss great Shay Hodge joins Zach Berry (OMSpirit.com) in this Friday (August 2, 2024) edition of ‘The Flagship,’ powered by College Corner, to break down Smith’s potential impact.

“It was a rollercoaster, man,” Hodge said. “Being a young kid growing up in Jackson, the stigma is there for being a violent place. A lot of bad things he could’ve been doing other than playing football. But that’s his passion and what he wanted to do. 

“Football shows you how to handle adversity. I’m just glad he has a second chance to try to get right. The kid’s exceptionally talented. Great young man, he’s just got to keep growing and maturing.”

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Smith caught 11 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns in six games as an LSU freshman.

He signed in 2021 as the No. 54 player in his class. Smith was the No. 8 wide receiver and Mississippi’s top recruit.

Smith is originally from Jackson and led JUCO in receiving (1,063) and yards per game last season. Twelve of his 48 catches went for touchdowns, and he pulled all of it off in just eight games.

“Handling the Deion situation and being like a father-figure to him, it’s been tough,” Hodge said. “But that’s what you’re in it for. I’m ready to see what Deion does. He’s special, man. That’s why Lane Kiffin’s been wanting him for three years. He’s that dude.”

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