Kinkead Dent to Ole Miss: "I bleed red and blue"
The phone call came Sunday night.
Kinkead Dent received a call from Ole Miss offensive coordinator Phil Longo and the Ole Miss offer was presented. The Rebels had talked to the 6-foot-5, 195 pound signal caller out of Jackson (Miss.) Jackson Academy about playing in Oxford as a Preferred Walk-on in the spring, but that was never the plan.
The senior has always planned to sign a full scholarship with a school and it did not look like it would be Ole Miss until just a few days ago. He was thinking hard about Cincinnati, Colorado State and Tulane, to name a few, but as soon as he got off the phone with coach Longo, Dent knew Oxford was going to be his next home.
He already has a brother and sister attending school there now and his father is an Ole Miss graduate as well. As soon as the offer was made, the decision was very easy.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
"I am a christian, so I am just thanking God right now," said Dent. "This was His plan. Me getting the offer from Ole Miss and committing was His plan and His plan is the right plan.
"I am now just ready to go. I am signing in December, enrolling early and I am ready to get to work at Ole Miss.
"I gave Ole Miss the news Monday night, but as soon as they offered, I think they knew they had a really good chance. I kind of told them I was going to commit. I wanted to take the time to call each school that had offered to tell them first before I announced it. They knew this was coming though.
"I have family connections to Ole Miss and Mississippi State, and on Monday, I had over 100 text messages on my phone congratulating me. Everyone is happy for me and it feels great.
"I grew up an Ole Miss fan. I have been to about every home game since I can remember. I have grown up in an Ole Miss family and I bleed red and blue. It was the right offer and the right time to make the decision.
"I knew coach Longo was watching me this season and I really feel I progressed. He feels that way too. He liked what he saw, they decided to offer and I have committed. I love coach Longo's offense and I am ready to get there to work. I have played in some pro-style offenses, I have played the spread, so I think it is a great fit for me. I am just ready to get over and get ready to play at Ole Miss."
RIVALS REACTION
Dent has progresses. He has improved this season. In his career as a varsity starter, he is 26-13 and he has 6,750 yards of total offense and 60 touchdowns. He throws a very catchable ball, his deep ball is a strength and he has shown the ability to move the chains with his legs. Dent seems focused, he is ready to work and he is looking forward to competing in Oxford. You know you will always get the best out of Dent and this is like a dream come true for him. He is a Rebel through and through and the staff in Oxford has to be excited about getting a young man this dedicated to the team and his craft.
