Recruiting analysis: Ole Miss linebackers

With national signing day coming up Feb. 3, The Clarion-Ledger is looking at each positional group to show what Ole Miss already has and what it needs.

AT A GLANCE

Coming back: DeMarquis Gates (Jr., 76 tackles, four pass break-ups), Terry Caldwell (Sr., 32 tackles, two fumbles forced), Temario Strong (Sr., 13 tackles, one fumble forced), Ray Ray Smith (Jr., eight tackles, one pass break-up), Tayler Polk (Jr., 14 tackles), Shawn Curtis (redshirt in 2015).

Already enrolled/committed: Enrolled — Donta Evans (3-star, No. 22 ILB, No. 596 player nationally, according to 247Sports Composite), Committed — David Luafatasaga (4-star, No. 2 JUCO OLB, No. 19 JUCO player overall), Tariqious Tisdale (3-star).

Targets: Mique Juarez (visited Nov. 21), Keith Simms, Brock Miller.

Priority (on a scale from 1-10): 8. Ole Miss lost its two starting linebackers in C.J. Johnson (middle linebacker) and Denzel Nkemdiche (outside linebacker), but may be set for two seasons with junior DeMarquis Gates at Nkemdiche’s old position. Gates finished with a team-high 76 tackles despite Nkemdiche starting for much of the 2015 season.

Replacing Johnson may be a little more difficult. Luafatasaga is physically comparable to Johnson at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, one inch taller and the same weight as Johnson. As a junior college player, Luafatasaga is expected to contribute more quickly than a high school signee.

The Rebels would love to land five-star linebacker Mique Juarez, who is the top-rated player at his position and the No. 11 player overall. He’s choosing between UCLA, which is closer to his home in Torrance, California; Alabama; and the Rebels. His talent could allow him to play early.

Tisdale could start his career at middle linebacker for the Rebels — though he may not be counted upon much as a true freshman — before moving back to the defensive line if he adds size to his 6-5, 247-pound frame.

The Rebels’ coaching staff has also spoken highly of redshirt freshman Curtis.

Ole Miss has also shown interest of late in Simms (Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland) and Miller (John Carroll in Fort Pierce, Florida), a North Carolina State commit who received a scholarship offer last week.

Contact Daniel Paulling at dpaulling@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @DanielPaulling on Twitter.