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Oher reverses field, staying at Ole Miss
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OXFORD, Miss. — Juniors declaring for the NFL draft had three days to change their minds after Tuesday’s deadline passed. It only took offensive lineman Michael Oher one day to decide to return to Mississippi.
Oher, a likely first- or second-round pick, announced Wednesday he will play for the Rebels next season rather than skip his senior year to turn pro.
“While I felt good about being projected as a possible first-round pick and had everybody in my corner, it just kept coming back to me that I was leaving some unfinished business at Ole Miss,” Oher said in a statement. “It’s really about winning more games and going to a bowl game. I wanted to be a part of making that happen.”
Oher was traveling Wednesday and was expected to talk with media following the basketball game between Florida and No. 18 Ole Miss. Oher’s father, Sean Tuohy, did not return a phone message Wednesday afternoon.
The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Memphis, Tenn., native was an all-Southeastern Conference first-team selection this year at left tackle and helped running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis to two straight 1,000-yard seasons. He has started 34 straight games for the Rebels in three seasons.
“I was excited when Michael called to say he’s decided to return to Ole Miss for his senior season,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. “Michael told me he wanted to make a commitment to his academics and to football and be the very best football player he can be. It’s good to have him back in the Ole Miss family.”
Oher’s leap to the NFL has been anticipated for six years since he first started playing football. His rise from homeless teen to can’t-miss left tackle prospect was chronicled in Michael Lewis’ best-selling book, “The Blind Side.”
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 17, 2008 at 4:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jerod... are you listening?
Posted by Smokey57 on January 17, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"As a running back, he currently has no equal at running back."
TD,
Two words- Knowshon Moreno.
Posted by GoVol on January 17, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure the 'fringe' benefits package for the Ole Miss players has improved since Nutt's arrival. Look at the ride McFadden had/has?
Posted by murrayvol on January 17, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Uh, Smokey, I sorta think TDTN's talking about Tennessee. But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Posted by murrayvol on January 17, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BTW, if you haven't read "The Blind Side" (featuring Michael Oher) by Michael Lewis, it's time well spent.
Posted by utchris2003 on January 17, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a great book, but can be a frustration at the same time. It is basically a blue print of how to get around the rules of the TSSAA and the NCAA
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