After a long and laborious process, standout outside linebacker
Channing Ward picked Ole Miss to play his college football.
Channing Ward helped Aberdeen
rise from one win in two seasons
to back-to-back state title games.
Photo by Chris Evans
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior from
Aberdeen (Miss.) announced his choice Thursday at the nationally-televised Under Armour All-American game in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Ward is considered the ninth best outside linebacker in the class of 2012 by CBS/MaxPreps.com.
He had his pick between most of the top universities in the country. His final list also included Auburn, LSU, Alabama and Mississippi State.
"I just felt like at home at Ole Miss," Ward said. "Plus I get to play with my brother there."
Ole Miss is getting a gifted player who can range sideline-to-sideline to make tackles. Ward will be playing for new head coach Hugh Freeze and along side his older brother Taurus, a defensive tackle, who will be a senior next season.
"He is excellent in pursuit," CBS/MaxPreps recruiting expert Tom Lemming said of Channing. "He's very active and shows good closing burst. He's also blessed with long arms, quick feet and excellent growth potential."
Ward helped Aberdeen rise from the ashes – it was 1-19 during a two-year stint before he arrived – to a combined 45-14 record in his four seasons on varsity, including back-to-back state championship games.
Ward had a big game on Thursday with four tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
