Ryan Miret was on the busy-June track of taking official visits all month long and making a decision thereafter.
After his weekend at Ole Miss, though, there has been a big change of plans. Not only is the Miami (Fla.) Southridge offensive lineman electing to commit to Lane Kiffin’s program, but the remainder of his official visits will be canceled in the process.
Miret has shut it down.
“I had been to Ole Miss previously, so I was able to see everything already,” he told Rivals. “So this trip I was able to get to know the staff more. Their offensive staff is superior to any offensive staff that I’ve met with, in my opinion, as far as NFL experience. Pretty much every coach on the offense has either played or coached in the NFL.
“Coach (John) Garrison has had his own room for 21 years, I feel like that’s a huge advantage. He’s been around forever. And It’s SEC, you know? It’s the highest level of play in college football. It’s where the most NFL players get drafted from. That’s pretty big.”
The blue-chip blocker’s time in Oxford ended with a pledge to Kiffin on Sunday and it took the longtime coach and part of the family by surprise simultaneously.
“I told my dad and he was cool with it, he was surprised,” Miret said. “I didn’t tell my mom or my sister, they found out when Coach Kiffin and Coach Garrison found out. They were freaking out.
“Coach Kiffin said he wasn’t expecting that at all…it was a big surprise. Also Kevin Smith was super happy, he’s a Southridge alumni as well, so he’s happy to have someone from there coming to Ole Miss.”
Garrison spearheaded the late rise and win for the latest Rebel recruit, who wrapped up his spring season with a wrestling state championship in the Sunshine State.
The activity on the current roster also presents a potential underclassman opportunity for Miret.
“They have a great plan for me,” he said. “They don’t really have a true second guy (at center) so they kind of told me I would have a chance to potentially come in early and getting into rotations my freshman and sophomore year.
“They also had the number one offense…they’re gonna run the ball, pass the ball, do everything. Plus the fact that they run tempo — that fits me, too. Miami Southridge runs a tempo offense, so I’ll be coming in ready.”
Official visits to Miami and Georgia Tech were to be taken in the coming week, but those trips are off. Nebraska hosted Miret for an official visit two weekends ago.
“This was an extremely hard decision,” he said. “I love Nebraska, too, but I feel like Ole Miss has the best plan for me. I’m ready to go. I’ve seen enough. The culture at Ole Miss, the history they have is big, they’ve been around forever. They have a really big fan base so playing at that stadium is going to be pretty freaking exciting.
“I’m ready to work. I’m ready to put in the work and be great. Hotty Toddy!”
