Nation's top juco prospect chooses Ole Miss

Patrick Trahan (LB, N' West CC, MS) - Mississippi's 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, and perhaps Ole Miss' most valuable recruit for next year's team, has decided to be a Rebel.

"I am about to call Coach Nix," added a very relieved Patrick Trahan. "You are the only person who knows about this, other than my family. I just think Ole Miss is the best place for me and it is a great opportunity for me to help a new program. I just feel like is the place for me to be."

When did the reverse transfer from Auburn know that he wanted to be a Rebel?

"I pretty much had a decision a long time ago, probably in the early fall, but I wanted to make sure everything was right this time and weigh my options."

What broke the ice?

"A bunch of things, really. I like Coach Nix a lot and the system he wants to run with me. I also like Coach Nutt's personality. He makes me feel loose and comfortable around him. I can just be me around him. That was important to me. I wanted to play for a player's coach, and that is what Coach Nutt is, a player's coach. But mainly, I just like the school at Ole Miss. There are just so many things I like about that school. I have been going over there a lot since I got over here (N' West CC). I have made a lot of good friends at that school. It's home away from home for me now."

Anymore visits on tap?

"No, I think this is it. I am going home this weekend, eat some good ole home cooking and hang out with my family. I am an Ole Miss Rebel now."

Patrick has one goal in mind for next year's team.

"That's simple. I told Coach Nutt that we have the team to get to Atlanta, and anything short of that would be a huge disappointment for me, my teammates, and coach Nutt. Everyone is on the same page. People do not understand how much talent is on that team. I played at Auburn and played against all of the SEC teams. Ole Miss just lacked some leadership, but hopefully the young guys are now going to bring that to the table for them, and having one of the best coaches in America is going to help us get to that championship level. The talent is there. We just needed some guidance. I think we are going to shock some people next year."

Coach Tuberville stated that Patrick had the best spring last year out of any defensive player he had ever coached. Trahan carried that productive freshman season to All-American status for the Rangers as he finished the season with 96 tackles, 6 sacks, 14 losses, 4 caused fumbles, and 1 interception on the year.

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