The big three: Mississippi trio lead youth movement on offense

Last year’s Mississippi high school wide receiver class was one of the top classes in the nation. 

Three of the top five players in the state were wide receivers, and the Ole Miss coaching staff took note and set a priority. Their hard work paid off in February when all three — Nickolas Brassell, Tobias Singleton and Donte Moncrief — signed scholarship papers to attend and play football at Ole Miss.

While Moncrief committed to play for the Rebels last summer, Singleton waited until January to make his decision, and Brassell, who had previously committed to Mississippi State, only to later decommit, announced on National Signing Day, Feb. 2, that he was going to attend Ole Miss from his high school library at South Panola.

It did not take long for fourth-year head coach Houston Nutt to recognize that he had something special with this year’s freshman class. In fact, it only took one day of practice for Nutt to begin gushing over his new players.

“I love them; I love them more today than I did on signing day,” Nutt said after the first day of fall practice. “We threw them right out there in the middle of it.”

Even though the Rebels have most of their receivers back from last year’s team, led by junior Melvin Harris and sophomore Ja-Mes Logan, Nutt said all three freshmen have the potential to see playing time very early in their careers.

“You look at Donte Moncrief — physically you feel like he is going to help us,” Nutt said. “Nick Brassell — speed, athleticism, he can help us and with special teams. 

“Tobias Singleton — speed, he is thick and there is another guy that could return a kick. So instantly, those three give you a major boost in speed, catching the ball and in special teams.”

Brassell brings an added dimension to the team; along with playing offense and potentially returning kicks, he can also play defense. Nutt said he expects to play Brassell as defensive back in certain situations.

While most freshmen have a hard enough time adjusting to college football while concentrating on one position, Brassell has shown early in his college career that he has the ability to play both ways. He sees it as a challenge and a way to see the field more.

“I just want to do whatever I need to do to help us win,” Brassell said at a recent practice. “We are out there trying to win.”

Brassell said he is working hard so he can play wherever.

“We are trying to make a change in Oxford so wherever coach (Nutt) desires to put me, I am good with,” Brassell said. “I am learning both positions so when my name gets called for either one, I am ready to go out there.”

Even though all three come in and are competing against each other for playing time this season, the players say it’s been a great experience on and off the field.

“It has already been a great experience playing with them,” Singleton said. “Everything is fun with us.”

While joking around, Singleton said it is all about helping each other on the field. 

“We are grinding hard; we are all out here to get better,” Singleton said. “We are playing as a team so we can win as a team.”

Moncreif, recently named a starter at one wide receiver spot in Monday’s depth chart, echoes Singleton’s sentiments.

“We are always together,” Moncrief said. “It’s a friendly competition between all of us; we are always together rather it’s on the field or off.” 

Moncrief said he’s been talking to Brassell and Singleton about playing together for a long time now.

“Me and Nick and Tobias have been talking for a long time,” Moncrief said.

“Now we’re living a dream as freshmen playing in the SEC. Now we have to live up to it, play hard and keep the excitement on the team.”