Offensive lineman Josh Tatum of Marbury, Ala., switched his oral commitment from Arkansas to Ole Miss late Wednesday night.

Tatum, 6-6, 315 pounds, 5. 02 seconds in the 40-yard dash, said he was changing his decision because of his relationship with Ole Miss assistant coach Mike Markuson and Rebels Coach Houston Nutt. Markuson had recruited Tatum while serving as a member of Nutt’s Arkansas staff before Nutt left for Ole Miss.

Tatum committed to Markuson by phone Wednesday night.

“He and I started talking and he said, ‘Josh, I’m at Ole Miss now,’” said Tatum, who committed to Arkansas in August. “He said, ‘I want to coach you, and I want to be a part of you.’ He said, ‘If you want me to coach you and be a part of me and Coach Nutt, you’ve got your chance if you want it.’ “ I basically said I was committed to you all the whole time and that’s where I want to be.” Even though Tatum switched his commitment to Ole Miss, he said he feels an obligation to still take an official visit to Arkansas.

“I haven’t talked to Coach [Bobby ] Petrino yet, but I think I owe it to the fans and the university to come up there and check it out again,” Tatum said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tatum made two unofficial visits to Arkansas earlier this year. One was for Arkansas’ senior day in July and the other for the opening game against Troy.