It was a long time coming for both Javon Patterson and Ole Miss, but on Thursday the 4-star offensive lineman publicly connected the dots Rebel fans have been waiting for.

Javon Patterson seconds after committing to Ole Miss.

Before a gathering of family, friends, the entire Petal (Miss.) High School student body, his coaches and teammates, Patterson, a U.S. Army All-American, announced his decision to play college football at Ole Miss Thursday morning. An early enrollee, he is expected on the Oxford campus in January.

With three hats on the table, Patterson chose the Rebels over Auburn and Mississippi State. He also held offers from Alabama, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and Southern Miss.

“I thank the Lord for this opportunity,” Patterson said. “It’s been a long process over four years. I thank all my family, coaches, principals and teachers for supporting me through the process.

"I felt like Ole Miss was the best place for me. It felt like home."

Patterson’s commitment to Ole Miss was of little surprise, as most believed the Rebels led for him throughout his recruitment. His 247Sports Crystal Ball reflected 89 percent of 27 predictions to Ole Miss. His recruitment, however, wasn’t without suspense, as Patterson deemed Ole Miss and Auburn “even” in late September.

"Auburn was neck-and-neck with Ole Miss for a while," Patterson said.

Patterson likened his commitment to a business decision, noting that college football players work from 5 a.m. or so until late in the night. Patterson is now looking forward to his January arrival at Ole Miss.

"I felt like I wanted to go in and get a head start in the weight room and compete with the guys in the spring," he said of his decision to enroll early.

Patterson was also asked about Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze's name being thrown around as a potential candidate at other high-profile programs. He was not bothered by the rumor mill.

"It didn't influence me at all," he related. "You have to go for yourself, not the coaches."

Patterson is rated as the No. 2 guard prospect in the nation by the industry-generated 247Sports Composite index. He is ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the state of Mississippi’s 2015 class by 247Sports.

Patterson is the 14th commitment in the Rebels’ 2015 class. His grade of 97 by 247Sports makes him Ole Miss’ highest-rated pledge in the 2015 cycle. He is the Rebels’ seventh commitment from inside the state in the 2015 class, joining Leo Lewis (Brookhaven), Willie Hibbler (North Panola), Jay Johnson (Bruce), Fred Walls (Olive Branch), Jordus Smith (Gulfport) and Armani Linton (Walnut).

Patterson’s Petal High School team lost to Ocean Springs 34-17 last week in the first-round of the Class 6A state playoffs. He will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Alomodome in San Antonio. The game will be televised live on NBC with kickoff set for noon CT.

Kevin Williamson contributed to this report.

