"It was my first visit for football," added Lavadius Lyles. "I
went to a basketball camp three years ago, but it was the first time I got a chance
to see the football stuff. I had never even seen their stadium before. I loved
it. It was nice. I can see myself playing there, hopefully for Ole Miss, not against
them (laugh)."
What new did Lyles learn about Ole Miss that maybe he did not know before he came
on the trip?
"I like how the football players are having such a good time out there. You
can tell how much they really like being at Ole Miss because they are all having
such a good time out there. They have this little smile on their face the whole
time. They know they are good, and they love their coaches. I talked to a lot
of them, and they just love it up there. They love Coach Nutt. I talked to all
of the coaches up there but Coach Nutt. When he came up to me, I was talking to
Coaches Dickerson and Nix, so we just spoke briefly."
What stood out?
"I just like the overall environment. Being around their people was what
I liked most. Their fans really support them. I like a supportive crowd. And
the players, like I said, are really having fun. That is why they are competing
for a national championship. They are just having fun out there. And the facilities
are beautiful. I loved the player's lounge. The coaches seem like they are active
with their players. They give them a lot of attention and coaching out there."
What did the Ole Miss coaches say to the 2008 Class 2A Player of the Year?
"Coach Dickerson told me that he wanted me to attend one of his camps this
summer. They told me they really liked my highlight tape. They are still debating
me at CB, KR, or Slot receiver. They did not know where they are going to put
me. Coach Dickerson (WR coach) told me all he wanted to see is if I could catch
the ball. If I can, he said he is taking me. That is the easiest part of football,
catching the ball. If you put it out in front of me, I will go up and get it.
I started out at WR before I moved to QB in the second quarter of my sophomore
year. Our starting QB went down, and I never played WR again, but I know how
to catch the ball. They basically just want to see if I can catch it, so I am
going to come back to their camp and show them that I can. Coach Nix told me
he don't care if I can catch or not. He just wants me to be patient, and he
said he will get me a scholarship. He wants to offer me before MSU. I told him
that I choose to come to Ole Miss instead of MSU, and he smiled real big. Coach
Nix and I talk all of the time on the phone, so I know where I stand with him."
Did anyone accompany the 1st Team All-State selection to Oxford?
"My dad, step mom, and my two sisters came with me. My step mom's parents
live in Oxford, so she really wanted to get me up there to check things out.
My dad loved it. For real, he liked it. You can tell he really liked it because
he has been texting me all day saying he could really see me at Ole Miss. He
said I would be the first star from Forest to go up there, so hopefully I can
get up there. I am just waiting on my offer."
The District 2(2A) Player of the Year has a few Bulldog supporters on his mother's
side. What did they think?
"My mom was at a wedding that day. One of her best friends was getting
married, so she could not make it on the trip with me. But I told her how much
I loved it up there, and she is down with it. She said she could see that twinkle
in my eyes when I was talking about Ole Miss, and if I loved it that much, then
that is where I need to be. She asked me how they treated me, and how the players
were and how good they were. She was impressed with everything she learnedr.
Now, I have not told Michael Gholar (former MSU football and basketball player
that is Lyles' cousin) or none of my family on that side from Printess. I have
not talked to them in a while. I do not know what he (Michael) is going to say,
but I might end up telling him the next time I go up there. I want to see how
he reacts."
Any future visits?
"I do not know about any unofficial visits, but I am going to MSU, Ole Miss,
USM, and I am thinking about going to Alabama's camp. I might go to Georgia's
too, but I know for sure I am going to Ole Miss, MSU, and USM's camps. My coach
has already signed me up for those camps."
What is going on with Alabama and Georgia?
"Alabama sent me two or three letters about their camps, but I have not received
anything from Georgia. I just like Georgia. I want to go up there and check it
out sometime. Arkansas just started witting me. They want me to come up to a camp
of theirs too. I do not know if I am going to be able to get up there or not."
Who are the main colleges writing the 5' 10", 180 pound athlete?
"It is mainly Ole Miss and USM. USM has not called yet. I need to call them.
MSU sent me something about their Bulldog weekend, and they wanted me to come
up there. But that is about it. The others I just kind of look over."
|