Target Profile: Ole Miss wants four-star in-state LB/EDGE Jamonta Waller. But the feeling hasn’t always been mutual.

Ole Miss signed the two top-ranked players from Mississippi in the 2023 recruiting cycle. 

There’s a very real chance they miss out on both this time around.

Sure, the Rebels are almost always consistently listed as one of the true contenders for four-star defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin, as well as four-star linebacker Jamonta Waller. Sources indicate, however, Ole Miss is, realistically, only likely to land one or the other. 

The Rebels are in a far better position for Franklin, who is reportedly focused mostly on Ole Miss, Tennessee and Miami (Fla.). Waller, per sources, has long favored going out of state to continue his career and is currently committed to Florida.

But even before his pledge, Ole Miss had already been slipping further and further behind in in the Waller chase. 

THE TARGET

Waller is the No. 64 overall prospect in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. The On3 Industry Ranking is a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. 

At the very least, Sources indicate Ole Miss was behind Auburn and Penn State when the 6-foot 1/2, 240-pound Waller somewhat surprisingly went with the Gators after camping with them last month. 

Waller holds north of 20 offers and stars for Picayune Memorial High School. He had 106 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, an interception, forced fumble and two fumble recoveries as a junior last season.

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Ole Miss recruiting target Jamonta Waller (Photo by Chad Simmons/On3)

THE BREAKDOWN

On3 scouting and rankings assistant Cody Bellaire: The biggest thing for me is where does this kid fit? What is your game plan? For defensive guys, you just have to have a game plan for when you take a player like this. 

The film, he’s primarily lining up as an EDGE defender. A lot of standing up, on the ball, on the line of scrimmage. Used as a pass rusher and EDGE defender. The biggest learning curve Jamonta’s going to have to overcome is the ability to diagnose and trigger to the football from an off-ball position. It’s easier said than done. That’s a lot of between-the-ears stuff, where it’s reps and seeing it a lot. The live reps carry a lot of weight.

However, there are things he’s getting from being an EDGE defender and showing up at testing and moving around and all that that indicates he could have success with that move.

“The thing you point out is the explosiveness.”

He has over a 20-foot long jump as a 230-pound defensive player. That checks out when it comes to power and lower explosiveness. Those things translate to the linebacker position. You talk about stacking and shedding and making blockers struggle to keep you away at the next level? If you’re able to get your hands and shock them as a 230-pound ‘backer, that carries a lot of weight. 

So, with Jamonta, the idea is can he play as fast as an off-ball defender as quickly as he does as an EDGE prospect coming out of high school.

If he is, I would watch out, because he’s got a real shot to be extremely productive at the next level.

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