Ole Miss junior wideout Donte Moncrief’s decision to declare for the 2014 NFL Draft proved a no-brainer for him.
A no-brainer in the sense that Moncrief more or less left the decision whether or not to return to campus and the Ole Miss program totally in the hands of his parents and Coach Hugh Freeze.
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“I’m going to let my parents and coach Freeze sit down and talk about it,” Moncrief pronounced in the days leading up to his declaration. “I know coach Freeze knows what’s best for us. I’m going to let them sit down, have a good talk, and they’ll figure it out.”
And now some scouts jokingly point to Moncrief’s game plan as a glowing example of his savvy and gamesmanship. Could it be that Moncrief deferred to others in making the decision so that he could focus on the business-at-hand of readying himself for his defining moment?
If the last two seasons at Ole Miss are any indication, it all figures to end as a roaring success for the 6-foot-2, 214 pound star. Moncrief caught 59 passes for 938 yards and six touchdowns last season, but he’s known for so much more.
Moncrief finished his Ole Miss career ranked as the school’s third all-time leading receiver in receptions (156) and second in 100-yard games (9). In 2012, he recorded his best statistical season, finishing with 66 catches for 979 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 173-yard, three-touchdown game against state rival Mississippi State.
“His outstanding play the last two seasons has been a big reason for the turnaround we have experienced and the two straight bowl victories,” said Freeze of the changes Moncrief has been integral part of since he took over a winless program. “We are excited about his future, and we look forward to seeing another Rebel shine on Sundays.”
At one time or another, Moncrief had risen as high up as Top 10 on both ESPN draft gurus Mel Kipper Jr. and Todd McShay’s draft boards among receivers. ESPN analysis details “he has elite speed, great size… a first-second round prospect for sure, easily a Top 50 prospect.”
