Rebels get verbal from top DE

Mississippi’s terrific season has helped the Rebels reel in a commitment from one of the nation’s top-rated defensive linemen.

Three-star Shreveport (La.) Evangel defensive end Chris Bowers gave his commitment to David Cutcliffe while making an unofficial visit to Oxford this past weekend, according to the player’s father.

“Chris made an official visit three weeks prior and just fell in love with the place, as well as his mother and I,” he said. “The feeling he got from the coaches, I think he just felt like he fit in with their style and the players. It just felt like home. He definitely has a chance to play early. Plus, it’s just a great academic institution. He had given that a lot of priority as well. Overall, it was just a great experience.”

The timing of the commitment, however, even caught his parents by surprise.

“We didn’t know he was going to commit this weekend,” the elder Bowers said. “He asked us to sit down with coach Cutcliffe before the game, and that’s when he made it. He kind of surprised us by that. I kind of figured he might take all five of his visits. But he said he knew for sure. He was just blown away by the Ole Miss experience."

Bowers (6-3, 240, 4.7) had also visited Nebraska and Texas Tech. He was considering Auburn, LSU and Arkansas as well.

He is rated the nation’s No. 17 weakside defensive end coming off a junior season which saw him record 100 tackles and 18 sacks. He had six sacks early this season before suffering a high-ankle sprain that knocked him out for several weeks. He’s back close to full strength now, and is leading Evangel into the quarterfinals of the state playoffs this week with a 9-3 record.

Academically, he maintains a 3.8 GPA and has scored a 19 on the ACT.