Signing day was a disaster for Ole Miss

Let's cut to the chase: National Signing Day was a complete and utter disaster for Ole Miss.

After finishing fourth in ESPN's class rankings in 2016, and in the top 20 in the two seasons previous to that, the Rebels hovered around the 40th spot in this year's rankings.

Hugh Freeze began the day optimistic he could salvage his class with some important late additions, and though he did reel in four-star tackle Tony Gray in the afternoon, he was otherwise reduced to watching the day unfold in silence.

The struggles to recruit nationally were somewhat expected, given the ongoing Laremy Tunsil investigation that could result in sanctions down the road. However, few saw the Rebels getting outdone in their own state by Egg Bowl rival Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs picked up a trio of top in-state prospects, including outside linebacker Willie Gay, whom Ole Miss failed to reacquire after he decommitted from the team in October. Dan Mullen's program also signed four-star running back Kylin Hill and four-star cornerback Tyler Williams from Mississippi.

Freeze, meanwhile, netted just one of his state's top seven recruits, while Florida State, Louisville, LSU, and Mississippi State went home with the others.

Not many could've predicted a fall this drastic for Ole Miss, which 12 months ago touted a 2016 class that included two five-star prospects and the nation's top dual-threat quarterback.

The Rebels will bring about a handful of prospects from the ESPN 300 to Oxford this year, after they hauled in 13 last year.

Given the Tunsil situation, the 5-7 record Ole Miss posted in 2016, and the underwhelming signing day, it's fair to wonder if this is just a bump in the road for the Rebels, or if this is the beginning of their end.