OXFORD | In July 2015, A.J. Brown praised then-California coach Jacob Peeler for being an “honest, straight-shooter,” adding that the Mississippi native could relate to prospects and wide receivers.

Almost two years later, Brown spends his days with Peeler, as Ole Miss’ new receivers coach is finishing up his first spring practice with the Rebels and the talented room he inherited after Cal didn’t retain its coaching staff.

Brown and fellow rising sophomore receiver D.K. Metcalf considered Cal — to some extent — throughout the recruiting process because of Peeler, and the shakeup following 2016 that included the departure of receivers coach Grant Heard has been a positive for them.

“Me and DK love (being coached by Peeler),” Brown said. “We were about to go to California so it worked out in our favor. He came back to be our coach and we loved it. We love it everyday we come to work. We’re happy that he’s our coach. We just love him.

"He's the reason (for Cal as a possibility)."

[Related: Greg Little discusses what he learned as a freshman]

Metcalf, who broke his foot in the second game of his freshman season but still scored two touchdowns and is participating without any pain or limited mobility this spring, echoed Brown, saying the two “were pretty close,” to joining Peeler on the West Coast.

Peeler, a Kosciusko, Mississippi product, signed Demetris Robertson, the No. 1 athlete and No. 8 overall prospect in the 2016 class, for the Golden Bears, but it’s his work with current players that impressed Metcalf.

Peeler had success developing wide receivers and also was responsible for the college improvement of Packers tight end Richard Rodgers.

“Coach Peeler is really a technician and knows what he’s doing,” Metcalf said. “He sent… receivers to the NFL… His track record speaks for itself. He knows what he’s doing. He knows what he’s talking about.”

Brown had 29 catches for 412 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman. He and Metcalf — both top 100 prospects out of Starkville and Oxford, respectively, in 2016 — said route running is the major point Peeler is currently emphasizing — along with the speed of the game in offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s system.

“It’s everything I thought it was,” Metcalf said. “He’s a great person, great coach. He tells us he loves us everyday and coming from him it’s genuine and real. I can look at him as a second father when my dad isn’t here. I can talk to him about anything.”