This weekend Justin's father, Jessie
Tuggle who was a star for the Atlanta Falcons for a number of years, and Justin
got a chance to view the Ole Miss and MSU practices.
How did the Ole Miss
visit go?
"We got up there on Thursday night and went around the square
and just looked around the town. They have such a neat town at Ole Miss. It is
unique and something you would see in the movies or something. Friday morning
we woke up early, around 6:00 am, and we went and spoke with Coach Orgeron for
around 30 minutes. He told me where I fell in their pecking order for QB's, so
that was good to find out about that. Then we went and spoke with Coach Werner;
their offensive coordinator. He showed us around the campus and showed us their
facilities. Then we watched practice, and that was about it," added Justin Tuggle.
What new did Tuggle learn about the Rebels during the trip?
"I
learned how close they were to the top schools in the SEC. They were just a few
points away from beating the top dogs in the SEC last year. They are just a few
players away, and with the players they brought in last year and this year, they
are about to be one of the top schools. Their facilities are also pretty special.
They are as nice as anybody's facilities I have seen so far, and I have pretty
much been everywhere. I also liked the fact that everything is together, so you
do not have to walk far to get around."
Justin also observed a few
things about how Ole Miss' practices are run.
"The first thing I noticed
with Coach Orgeron was how intense and how much energy he has. I loved that. I
love for my coach to be that involved. When I talked to him on the phone, he told
me that his practices would be more intense than anything I had ever seen, and
he held true to his word. Their practices are crazy. Coaches are running around
like it is a war out there. They are shouting, screaming, but in a good way. They
get on their players, but they are encouraging them at the same time, just keeping
them motivated. You have to run full sprint from one drill to the next or it is
not pretty (laugh). I loved that. Their coaches are just really into it. I will
put it that way."
What stood out the most about Ole Miss during Justin's
trip?
"The high energy of everyone there. You know in your heart that
they are about to be one of those elite teams because of how hard they work and
how passionate they are about their job. I also loved how he told me that each
position is etched in sand. You have to practice every single day or the next
guy will be starting in front of you the next (game). And lastly, I know that
both of the QB's they are playing this year are seniors. That is a big attraction.
That will play a big role. They do not have a QB set in stone for the year I get
there. All they have right now is that QB that transferred from Texas, (Jevan)
Snead. But that is it. The situation is there for me to get some early playing
time or redshirt and play the following year."
Justin and his father
left the Ole Miss campus late Friday afternoon to and headed 90 miles southeast
to Starkville.
"My and my dad had a nice experience. It was Super
Bulldog weekend, and that is a big event around there. They had a good crowd for
their football and baseball games. We walked around town and everyone had their
Bulldog shirts and caps on. The fans have complete faith in Coach Croom. They
are just ready for him to start winning some games, and I think he will do it."
What
new did Tuggle learn about MSU?
"I had never been there before, so
it was all new, really. I did not know how nice their facilities and athletic
dorms are. They have a very nice athletic dorm. The nicest I have seen yet. It
is brand new. My class will also be getting a brand new academic learning center.
They are breaking ground on it tomorrow. Everything was real nice at MSU. I really
enjoyed myself."
What stood out the most about the Dogs?
"I
liked the QB situation. It is looking real good. They have no set starter for
my class. I really liked that part about it. That is really attractive for me.
MSU is also the only school that has offered me a scholarship so far. That says
a lot about their confidence in me. They also have a great recruiting class coming
in. I think they will be one of the teams to compete for the SEC title the following
year."
Where else has Justin visited this Spring?
"I went
to Jr Days at Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and I went to two of the Georgia Tech practices."
And where does he go next?
"I am not
sure. This week is Spring break for us. If I have time, I might go to the Georgia
Tech spring game next Saturday. I just do not know yet."
Who would
Justin consider the main schools involved in his recruitment?
"Right
now, I would have to say Ole Miss, LSU, MSU, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech,
South Carolina, and North Carolina."
Who is closest to offering next?
"I
think they are all pretty close. They just want to see me throw the ball at one
of their camps. When I do that, I think they will come."
When it comes
decision time; what will be the main factors ?
"Playing time will
be a major factor, and the coaching staff will play a big role too."
Does
Justin feel like he has developed a tight bond with any particular staff?
"Not
yet, but I really enjoyed spending time with Coaches Croom and Orgeron. They are
two different personalities, but I could really see myself building a special
bond with both of them."
Justin broke a bone in his left forearm as
a junior in game six and missed the rest of the season. During his time on the
field, he threw for 883 yards and 9 TD's. As a sophomore, he passed for over 1,
400 yards and 16 TD's and was named 2nd Team All-State and Metro.
Tuggle
reports a 3.2 GPA / 21 ACT
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