New Rebel Ready for an Impact

Running Back Enrique Davis of Hargrave Military Academy was Scout.com's No. 1 ranked prep school player. Today he cast his lot with the Ole Miss Rebels, and the biggest difference was Houston Nutt.

Enrique Davis signed to play for the Ole Miss Rebels today. He is Scout.com's No. 1 ranked prep school prospect, and he likes what he sees in Oxford.

"Basically, it was Coach Nutt," said Davis when asked what pushed the Rebels to the top. "He's a father figure to me. Being away from home, he's like a father away from home. He'll also help me develop me into the best player I can be."

Nutt had the ultimate recruiting pitch to a running back having showcased the nation's top back for the last two seasons.

"I'm going to go there and work hard; I want to make sure I get on the field. I want to do some of the things Darren McFadden did in the offense at Arkansas."

Davis signed with Auburn in the Class of 2007 but failed to qualify academically. Why not the Tigers in the Class of 2008?

"Auburn got a new offensive coordinator, that's when I started looking around. Coming out of high school, I didn't even look at Ole Miss. But some of the things Darren McFadden does, and I know coach Nutt likes to run the ball made me want to play there. The players were great too, and on my official visit, they made me feel like one of their own."

Davis and his head coach Robert Prunty feel confident that Davis will be a full qualifier ready for practice this summer.

"He just needs the requirement for his core classes," said Prunty. "He'll be in good shape. He's made all of the academic requirements here. He's on schedule, and he's done everything the right way."

As to the player that the Rebels will see in uniform next year, Prunty has nothing but praise for his star running back.

"Houston Nutt did a heck of a job. It wasn't the assistants or anything; it was just Houston Nutt. I think when he got the job at Ole Miss, he targeted Hargrave. He made all the difference this year."

"First thing is that Davis is very focused. I don't like to compare players, I never have, but he's special. Enrique has that burst, leverage, balance, great vision; he's the total package."

Davis has the ability to be an early contributor at Ole Miss, and Houston Nutt has the first piece of the puzzle in place to rebuild his Ole Miss Rebels.