Mico Is Out

As we have expected for several weeks and months, Mico McSwain will not be on the Ole Miss football team this year. McSwain has been released from the team for academic reasons. In a year when the receiving unit is thin, it would have been great to have him back. Mico made some great plays over the past couple of years, but it was well known he was not the sharpest on the block. Below is the Clarion Ledger article on McSwain.

OXFORD — Ole Miss junior receiver Mico McSwain will not be academically eligible in 2007.

“It comes a point where he has to do it,” coach Ed Orgeron said. “You have to fish or cut bait. We laid out everything we possibly could and he didn’t get it done.”

McSwain was one of four Ole Miss players trying to get academically eligible during August Intersession courses this month.

The other three — cornerback Nate Banks, defensive tackle Brandon Jenkins and linebacker Antonio Turner — practiced with the Rebels this afternoon.

McSwain set the school’s freshman rushing record by running for 612 yards and three touchdowns in 2005. But his role diminished with the emergence of BenJarvus Green-Ellis last season and eventually moved to receiver. McSwain had 481 all-purpose yards last season.

Orgeron said he’s not certain of McSwain’s plans now, but believes he’ll go to either an NAIA or Division II school.

“I expect him to do that,” Orgeron said. “He hasn’t said that, but I expect him to do that. He needs to go somewhere and play football and get straight.”