"I went ahead and committed to Ole Miss
on my visit," stated the 6' 3", 220 pound rush end who was one of the
two defensive ends that was named 1st Team All-American by NJCAA, Emmanuel
Stephens.
Why Ole Miss over Texas Tech?
"After meeting
with their new defensive coordinator, Coach (Tyrone) Nix, and seeing the kind
of defensive coaches I will have. I just think Coach (Tracey) Rocker will benefit
me at defense end and help me progress more at my position. I picked them because
of their defensive staff."
Has Stephens informed the Tech staff about
his decision to decommit and commit to Ole Miss?
"Not yet, I have
not made my call yet. It should be pretty interesting (laugh)."
What
does he expect the Texas Tech staff to say back?
"They are probably
going to be like why (laugh)? They came over last week the night before I went
on my visit to Ole Miss and stayed over here until midnight. They brought their
head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, all of them. I am sure
they will just want to know why."
And what will Stephens reply back?
"I
will just say that it is a better fit for me, my wife, and my baby. Personally,
I will tell them that Ole Miss' staff is a better fit for me. And as far as my
wife, they are going to help her find a job. And my baby, they provide quality
day care. They also have a good program in what I want to go into, X-Ray Tech.
It is just the best fit for me and my family."
And what about the
Texas A&M scheduled official visit for this weekend?
"I did not
make it. Coaches Nutt and Vaughn (Ole Miss) are going to be by here at 2:30 today."
What
new did Emmanuel learn about Ole Miss during his trip?
"I got to see
their practice fields, football stadium, and indoor complex. I had already heard
they had some of the top facilities in the country from the staff over here. They
were right. I did not know that they had won that many championships over there
though. That was neat. And I also saw the Walk of Champions and watched some highlights
of them coming out of the tunnel. They rub on Chucky's (Mullins) head. That was
cool."
Scheme wise, how will Stephens be used at Ole Miss?
"I
met with Coach Nix the last night I was there, and we watched some film on how
they plan to use me. I will mostly be coming off of the edge, but they are going
to put me back at SAM and drop me into coverages sometimes. I will be standing
up sometimes too. I am almost like a hybrid end. It is some pretty exciting stuff.
They are going to put me in position to be their playmaker on defense."
Emmanuel
was hosted by another All-American defensive end, Greg
Hardy, for the weekend.
"Greg was really laid back and cool. We
hung out the whole time. The first night we played monopoly and haylo. The next
night we just went bowling and went back to his house and played some video games.
To have the opportunity to play on the other side from Greg is one I could not
pass up on. We have the chance to be the best duo in the country. Coach Nutt thinks
I will be the missing piece to get them to a bowl game next year. I just can not
wait to get the season started. He can't either."
Stephens has already graduated from Blinn CC and is expected to sign on Wednesday with Ole Miss.