"I do not remember when the intersest started with Ole Miss, but they just
mailed us one day and invited me to see LSU," recalled Matt Floyd when
asked about when the interest started between the two parties. "We went
over there and watched the game and were invited to Jr Day so I brought my family
back up here to look at them again."
Matt was named 2nd Team All-Area last season after passing for 1, 711 yards
and 14 TD's while rushing for another 421 yards and 9 TD's.
"My arm strength and my footwork are my two biggest strengths. I would
like to think I make good decisions and my eyes are always up the field. I still
need to work on my overall body strength and footwork though."
Matt brought both of his parents with him to look at Ole Miss again, and his
father gave us an inside perspective at what he is looking for while on the
recruiting trips.
"Our main objective is to meet the coaches and meet the QB coach and see
what their personalities are like and the character they have," added David Hall, Matt's father. "We really enjoyed the trip to Ole Miss because we
were really impressed with Coach Nutt, his staff, and the fine facilities they
provide for their student/athletes."
What stood out to Matt about Ole Miss?
"Coach Nutt is really cool," added Matt. "I liked him a lot.
The facilites are about as good as it gets. They were extremely nice. I guess
that is what surprised me about Ole Miss more than anything, their facilities.
I also liked the academic support staff they provide you. It is run and put
together really well."
Matt's mother, Christal, gave her input.
"I really liked Coach Nutt, and like Matt already said before, we already
had a really good take on the QB situation at Ole Miss. When we got up there,
we were surprised at how involved Coach Nutt is with the QB's. We did not know
that he played QB in college. But we also found out that the old QB coach is
not there anymore so we are basically starting over. We had built a good relationship
with Coach Austin so it is like starting from ground zero again. But outside
of that, they have made a really good all around impression with us."
The Floyd's visited Ole Miss on January 30th for Jr Day, and the Rebels still
had not hired Coach Rader, but they did go over the issue.
"Coach Nutt told us that he was going to hire someone within 72 hours and
he did, but we did not get to make contact with the new QB coach so things are
still really open," added Matt's mother. "We are looking forward to
meeting Coach Rader. I think it is a real plus that Coach Nutt is extrremely
involved with the QB position."
What did the Ole Miss head coach say about the direction the Ole Miss offense
was going to go in?
"Coach Nutt said they would hire someone that ran a real similar offense
that Coach Austin ran. I think Rader ran a real similar offense when he was
at Alabama."
Speaking of Alabama, the Floyds headed to Alabama to take a look at their campus
as well.
"We went over there for an unofficial visit and came back for a one day
camp," added Matt. "I am going back over there this summer too."
What is Christal Floyd's thoughts on the Crimson Tide?
"Well, I have to laugh on that one too because their recruiter left there
too. James Willis was our recruiter, and he left to Texas Tech, but Alabama
is obviously a fine program with very nice facilities. The distance is closer
too."
Matt chimed in on the Tide.
"Their offensive coordinator is really cool and Coach Saban is a really
good coach too. I like their offense too."
Has Alabama spoke to the Floyd's about the scholarship issue?
"I do not know what to tell you," added Matt's mother. "Matt
was invited in June to go to one of their camps, and he eventually went to the
camp. Matt worked out in front of their QB coach, and he said he was real interested
in Matt. Hopefully he is going to pick that issue back up when we go over there
in June for another camp."
What are the camp plans for this summer?
"We are going to concentrate on the one day and senior camps. We have Georgia,
Florida State, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Auburn on the schedule right now. Things
could change, but that is our tentitive schedule," added Matt's father."
Yancy Porter is the Recruiting Manager for the State of Mississippi and he
can be reached at yporter@scout.com
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