Five star running back Jerrion Ealy signed with Ole Miss on Wednesday morning, choosing the Rebels over Clemson and Mississippi State. He also held offers from Alabama and Auburn.
Ealy’s signing is important for Ole Miss with regards to perception, if nothing else. Because his arrival on campus and the likelihood of him ever putting on an Ole Miss uniform is far from certain. A two-sport star, Ealy is projected as a first round pick in June’s MLB Draft. He even noted that baseball is at the forefront of his mind at the moment.
“I love both sports, but baseball has my heart,” Ealy said after signing on national television. “Right now, it is baseball.”
Ealy originally committed to the Rebels in December of 2017, before de-committing last month and taking an official visit to Clemson shortly after. Clemson does not allow prospects committed to other schools to take official visits. In the end, Ealy chose Ole Miss and now the interesting portion of this story begins. Summer classes begin May 28 and the MLB Draft is on June 3. Most signs point towards Ealy being a professional baseball player in four months, but a lot can change between now and then.
But for Ole Miss, the possibility of having Ealy in the backfield in 2019 still remains, which is more hope than it would have if he signed elsewhere. Again, Ealy simply inking his signature on his letter of intent helps with the perception of the program and this 2019 class, if nothing else.
