2010 profile: Miss. LB Patrick Black

Ole Miss is hoping to sign Jackson (Forest Hill HS), Miss. offensive lineman Emmanuel McCray in less than 30 days and in all likelihood, the Rebels will also be looking at another Forest Hill product for the 2010 signing class.

Patrick Black, a 6-foot-1, 210 pound linebacker prospect is already receiving correspondence from the Rebels after he amassed an impressive 114 tackles (75 solo) last season in only 10 games.

"I'm getting mail from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Stanford, Tennessee, plus schools like Navy and Army," Black said on Monday evening.

Black said he's happy with the schools that are showing interest, but there's one more he hopes to hear from - LSU.

"LSU has always kind of been my dream team," he said.

However, in the absence of any LSU involvement, there is one team that stands out early.

"Realistically, from a football and academic standpoint, Ole Miss is probably the school for me," he said.

And, one thing has helped the Rebels cause with Black - winning.

"I watched the Cotton Bowl," Black said. "I love the enthusiasm on the team. They really get after it. I love that and could see myself playing in that defense. They finished 9-4 and that's quite an achievement. They are really looking good to me."

Black said he hasn't been to Ole Miss' campus, but he expects that to change this year. He was unfamiliar with junior days - a designated day when prospects take unofficial visits to college campuses to tour facilities, receive academic briefings and meet coaches - but said he'd camp at Ole Miss. He also said he'd like to camp at Southern Miss and Mississippi State.

In addition to playing outside linebacker or Forest Hill, Black said he played tight end, but was mostly used as a blocker. His team finished with a 7-3 record and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Black reports a 3.5 GPA and will take the ACT for the first time next month.