Ole Miss Rebels continue recruiting surge with four-star defender in sight ahead of decision day
Lane Kiffin’s class has landed a few blue chip defenders already. Is another one on the way? Here’s the latest.
Four-star Buford (Ga.) safety Nascar McCoy is set to announce his commitment Friday. His finalists are Ole Miss, Miami, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Michigan. The 6-foot, 180 pound prospect is trending the Rebels' way, but can Lane Kiffin and Co., hold off the blue bloods down the stretch?
Rivals' Chad Simmons had a chance to sit down with McCoy to analyze just what it will come down to when he picks up a hat this weekend.
“It came down to the scheme, development and relationships. Coaching stability is a key in my decision too. I want to be under coaches who will be there and develop me for the next three to four years.”
The ebbs and flows of college football have been drastic these last few years. Nascar McCoy has taken this all into account.
“The process has been very tough,” McCoy said. “College football is going through a lot of changes right now, so it has been hectic, but very exciting. I had a lot of great offers, and I am blessed to be in this position.”
Ole Miss got McCoy on campus for an official visit in June following an unofficial visit in April. After his visits, he spoke with Rivals' Steve Wiltfong about why the Rebels are out in front.
"They’re the most stable school with most stable system. It shows how much you can trust a school.”
Nascar McCoy showed off his skill set at OT7 Finals following his Ole Miss official.
247Sports' national recruiting analyst Tom Loy came away impressed.
"The 2026 three-star safety had a great day. He snagged three interceptions for South Florida Express and helped put away Raw Miami in the final game of the night," Loy said. "He was instinctive and showed good lateral speed. He recorded a few pass breakups as well."
Ole Miss currently has the 20th-ranked class in the 2026 cycle, per Rivals' team rankings – boasting six four-star commitments. The class is led by Tavares (Fla.) linebacker Izayia Williams and Kemper County (Miss.) running back Damarius Yates.
With just 21 percent of the class being in-state, Ole Miss has done most of its damage away from the Magnolia State this cycle. Four-star EDGE Landon Barnes out of Duncanville (Tex.) was a huge get for Pete Golding's defense. On the offensive side, the Rebels were able to fend off home state Illinois for Mt. Zion (Ill.) tight end JC Anderson.
And most recently, Ole Miss went toe-to-toe with Tennessee in its own backyard in Murfreesboro and snagged Oakland (Tenn.) four-star safety Craig Tutt.
Despite a Top 20 class, Ole Miss has struggled in Mississippi.
Kiffin's commitment list only has one from the Top 10. No. 1 player in the state, Tristen Keys, is committed to LSU and the No. 3 prospect, Nolan Wilson, committed to Alabama earlier this month.
On top of those two, for now, planning to leave the state, No. 2 overall recruit Bralan Womack and No. 4 prospect Jase Mathews are both currently trending to Ohio State and other SEC programs, respectively.
The verbal commitments don't matter until the ink dries, but as the summer comes to a close and fall camps start next week, the focus will shift to the 2025 season. Ole Miss will need to continue to plug away and work on some flips.
