BLOG — Ole Miss’ up-tempo offensive attack looks to have gotten that much faster for the 2013 season and beyond.The Rebels landed a verbal pledge from West Bolivar running back Kailo Moore Friday morning giving coach Hugh Freeze yet another speedy weapon on offense and in the kicking game. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Moore, who is rated as a four-star recruit by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, picked the Rebels at a ceremony held in the school’s library.
Moore originally pledged to the Rebels during his sophomore season when Houston Nutt was the leading the program. He backed off that non-binding pledge after Nutt was let go. He committed to Mississippi State during the season, but that decision changed Dec. 26 shortly after Melvin Smith, who was recruiting Moore, left MSU for Auburn.
In the end, family connections to Ole Miss through his grandfather, Freddie Williams, a strong relationship with running backs coach Derrick Nix and some prayer ultimately swung things back to the Rebels.
“This fall, I’ll be taking my talents to the University of Mississippi,” Moore said as he placed an Ole Miss hat on his hat. “I would like to keep the family trade going. If I have a son in the future, I would like to see him go play for Ole Miss. I’m comfortable with (Nix). He was the first person that recruited me. He’s just like a father figure to me, he keeps it real with me. Some days I’m going to love him, some days I’m going to hate him. Right now it’s just like I’m one of his players.”
Moore, who is also a standout in track and will compete for coach Brian O’Neal while in Oxford, finished the 2012 season with 1,218 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns a year after piling up 1,470 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground as he led the Eagles to a 15-1 overall record and the MHSAA’s Class 2A state title.
The verbal pledge from Moore not only gave the Rebels a fourth running back for the 2013 class, it also improved their national ranking from No. 22 in the nation to No. 17 by Scout.com.
Below is a video of Moore announcing his decision in his library along with thoughts from his football coach Henry Johnson and track coach, Willie Thomas.
(January 11, 2013)
