"The Cotton Bowl was a lot of fun," added Bryon Bennett. "It
was just cool seeing them win a big bowl game. It was a great game, sold out
and everything."
The start of the game was a rough one for the Rebels.
"Yea, they were just dominating them in every phrase of the game, but they
kept shooting themselves in the foot. I looked at Carlton (Martin) and Tobias Singleton and said this is not good. I have been in too many of those games
myself. You beat your opponent up but you do not get up on them good. Next thing
you know they make a play and you are down. You just say to yourself that it
is just not your day. But they pulled it out. That is what has always caught
my eye about Ole Miss. They never quit. No matter what the score is; they just
keep fighting."
Bryon's teammate, Carlton Martin, had some of the same thoughts
about the game.
"It was a pretty good game," added Martin. "Their defense played
outstanding. Their offense picked it up but their defense would just not let
them lose."
The defense obviously stood out to the 4-Star defensive tackle.
"I just like how their defense plays," added Carlton. "They shut
them down the whole game. They forced turnovers and scored on one of them. Their
defense was the best part of the game."
The atmosphere at the game was also a highlight for both players.
"It was crazy," stated Martin. "There were so many Ole Miss people
there. It seemed like all of the Ole Miss fans were there. Everywhere we went
in Dallas there were Ole Miss car flags waving and everything. It was really
exciting. They were all coming up to us at the hotel and game and telling us
how they could not wait until we got to campus."
"It was huge," added Bennett. "It was a massive stadium and that
big screen is amazing. I loved it. Both sides were constantly cheering. There
were a lot of Hotty Toddy's going on. It was a great setting for an Ole Miss
bowl game. It was exciting. The Ole Miss fans kept telling me how awesome it
was that I committed, and they could not wait to see me in the Red and Blue
next year. They treated me like I was already a part of their family."
Bennett was also impressed with the defensive play calling.
"I think it was pretty aggressive, really aggressive. They play a lot of
defensive fronts at Ole Miss. They play real fast and get a lot of penetration
They always get a lot of penetration."
The Cotton Bowl seemed to solidify Bryon's commitment to Ole Miss.
"Oh yea, definitely. I expect their defense to keep playing like that and
get back to another January bowl or better next year. I think next year's team
is going to be really aggressive. They always want to stop the run first and
then keep constant pressure on the QB and get a bunch of sacks and causing a
lot of turnovers. I can't wait to strap it on and go to work."
Does Bennett still plan to take anymore visits?
"I am thinking about going to Syracuse this weekend but I am still not
sure. I cancelled my visit to Kentucky next weekend because their head coach
retired. I am not looking at Texas Tech anymore either. I got an opportunity
to see them on my official visit. I am just pretty focused on my grades and
being prepared to play for Ole Miss next Fall."
The trip to Dallas reaffirmed Martin's commitment to Ole Miss.
"Right now I am about 100% about my decision. I just like everything about
Ole Miss. Their fans are real similar to ours. They love their football and
really care about their players. I am going up there on the 22nd (of January)
with Bryon. I am thinking about taking a visit to Michigan State, but I am not
sure about that. I have never seen that part of the country, but they might
not want me coming up there anymore with me going to Ole Miss and all. I cancelled
my visits to Baylor and Mississippi State."
Now Carlton is focused on gathering some soldiers to come join him at Ole Miss.
"I have been talking to some guys to hopefully come play with us. I talk
to Shon Coleman a lot. I see Tobias Singelton every day. I got a chance to hang
out with Vincent Sanders in Dallas. Bryon and I talk to Carlos Thompson a lot.
I think all of those guys like Ole Miss a lot. Now we will see what they are
going to do, but I think it looks pretty good with all of them."
Yancy Porter is the Recruiting Manager for the State of Mississippi and he
can be reached at yporter@scout.com