Buys heads to Ole Miss

Holmes Community College 6'9, 300-pound freshman tackle Talbot Buys saw his dreams fulfilled today when he became an Ole Miss Rebels

Buys, who started every game this season at right tackle for the Bulldogs, had offers from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Ala. and the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well.

He took official visits to the schools and had nothing but good things to say about the universities. "I loved it," Buys said of Jacksonville State. "They treated me like royalty. They have a great group of coaches there. I went to UAB the next weekend and got treated the same way. Everything was great there."

At the last game of the season at Coahoma, he talked with Ole Miss Assistant Athletic Director for High School and Junior College Relations Barney Farrar about the possibility of playing at Ole Miss. "I met him through the years while I was in high school and going to campus up there," Buys said. "I shook his hand and talked to him for a second. Two weeks later he messaged me on Twitter and told me to call him so I did. He told me to stay in contact so I did. Friday night they told me they could make me a preferred walk-on.

"I didn't argue," he said. "That was a dream-come-true. A scholarship would be nice, but I can earn it one day. I am guaranteed a spot on the team. I had a choice to make. I could either go to Jacksonville State, where they said I would start at left or right tackle, whichever one I wanted or go live out my dream and playing at Ole Miss. It's something I had to do. I couldn't pass it up. It's just great."

Earning a scholarship for the Rebels is his goal. "Going up there is going to be rough at first having to pay everything," Buys said. "I'm going to give everything I have and pray. With God's help that'll pave the way with me giving everything I have."

Buys came to Holmes in the summer of 2012 at 6'9 and 255 pounds. During the summer, he was diagnosed with mononucleosis and was forced to sit out the 2012 campaign. He said he felt he wasn't ready to make the jump from Academy A ball at Porter's Chapel to MACJC play just yet at 255 pounds. At Porter's Chapel he played left tackle, tightend, defensive end and longsnapper.

"I used that time off to get stronger and put on weight," Buys said. "It was the best thing that could have happened to me. I came back in the spring and felt like I never missed a beat."

He gained 20 pounds during the four-month span when he was not allowed to practice with the Bulldogs. "It didn't look like I gained weight because I was so skinny," Buys said. "When I got released, I hit the weights hard and put on 10 more pounds."

Buys said the Bulldogs' 17-14 win over Northwest in the homecoming game this season is his favorite memory of his season with the Bulldogs. "When Cole (Ballard) kicked the game-winning field goal is something I'll never forget and seeing the ball going through the uprights."

He was named Second Team All-State following the 2013 season.

He is proud of being associated with Holmes. "I'll definitely miss all my buddies and friends made there," Buys said. "You have to say goodbye sometimes and hard to leave them all there. The whole small family atmosphere up there is what I'll miss the most. They treat you like their own kid. It's nice to have that luxury up there."

Following the spring semester, Buys was named to the president's list. "Academics are important," he said. "I try to keep those up."