Recruiting: Rebels pick up two more commitments

Coach David Cutcliffe and his staff picked up two more commitments over the past few days bringing the total number of commitments for the Class of 2003 to eight. Sean Merrill, a highly recruited defensive lineman, and Thomas Eckers, a fast rising offensive lineman, are the latest prep prospects to give their pledge to play their college careers in Oxford.

Merrill, a 6-foot-3, 287-pounder from D’Iberville, Mississippi, was also considering Louisiana State and Tennessee before picking the Rebels. Merrill is one of the top defensive linemen in the entire Southeast. He has visited Ole Miss unofficially on several occasions including the big win over Florida.

Eckers, a 6-foot-2, 280-pounder from West Point, Mississippi, is not well known to recruiting buffs but he has had a dominating senior season to vault himself into an SEC-level prospect. Eckers is described as being a physical player with real good feet who comes off the ball well. He is known for his explosive drive blocking.

Prospects who previously announced their intentions to sign with the Rebels are:

CB Nate Banks (5-11/175) Amite County HS-Liberty, MS
RB Sylvester Brown (5-9/205) Milford Academy-Milford CT
OL Marcus Cohen (6-4/290) Clarksdale, MS
DL Brandon Jenkins (6-4/280) Hargrave Military Academy-Chatham, VA
CB Trumaine McBride (5-10/175) Clarksdale, MS
DL Larrick Womack (6-4/260) Northwest Mississippi CC-Senatobia, MS