Four-star athlete Jett Goldsberry intends to 'write his own story' as he leaves home, commits to Ole Miss
The four-star prospect does a little bit of everything and will take his talents to the SEC.
On Monday, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin didn't waste much time getting things fired back up after the holiday weekend. Heritage Hills (Indiana) athlete Jett Goldsberry announced his commitment, choosing the Rebels over Purdue, Rutgers, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.
Goldsberry is listed as a four-star prospect, per Rivals, the No. 15 overall athlete in the country and Indiana's third-ranked recruit.
"My dad went to Purdue so it was a hard decision," Goldsberry said. "But, it really came down to what's the place that is the most elite all the way around. Campus, coaches, facilities, what are the main things that will develop me as a man on and off the field. Ole Miss was it."
Goldsberry tells A to Z Sports he had quite a thorough evaluation process. He sat down with his parents and developed a system to rank and ultimately decide on where he wanted to attend college.
"We made a spreadsheet, ranking each colleges by area, facilities, coaches and Ole Miss was the best overall in all the experiences I had."
After receiving a call from the Ole Miss coaching staff while on spring break, Jett Goldsberry quickly called his parents to notify them of the development.
"It's SEC football, doesn't get much better, so I told my parents we had to go," Goldsberry said. "We drove down to Oxford and I eventually got the offer.
"Going through campus, there's nothing like Oxford. I live in a small town and I got the same feeling being there," Goldsberry said. "My player host gave me the same feeling while we walked around the Square, people are congratulating you and it hit home, it felt like I was back in Indiana."
As a junior, the 6-foot, 195 pound Goldsberry threw for 1,807 yards and 26 touchdowns while also adding 1,676 yards and 28 more touchdowns on the ground. Defensively, he's been a difference maker his entire career at the varsity level. He has over 200 career tackles and has forced three fumbles while snagging three career interceptions as well.
"I'm being recruited as an athlete, mostly safety, maybe some running back, too," Goldsberry said. "The staff likes me as a safety who comes down, making hits and plays."
The gridiron isn't the only place the newest Ole Miss football commit shines, though. He competes in the 215 pound weight class in wrestling and recently placed in the Indiana state tournament.
"Wrestling helps you develop a competitive edge," Goldsberry said. "If you think about it, it's not very different from playing defense. Coming downhill, hitting someone in the hole. It's also crucial to develop your stance and winning with leverage.
"A football game is hundreds of wrestling matches if you think about it," Goldsberry said. "So it's been pivotal to me as a football player growing up."
Goldsberry highlighted the subtle charm of Oxford, Miss., and why it was a big part of him choosing Ole Miss. But, he couldn't help but gush over the coaching staff and how excited he is to get to work in December.
"The coaches are all elite, they see me getting on special teams right away and getting in on some defense, too," Goldsberry said. "They told me they really wanted me from the start. Every single one of them are high-class, elite coaches. Coach (Pete) Golding, coach (Wes) Neighbors and coach (Lane) Kiffin. Top-to-bottom."
Defensive coordinator Pete Golding led the charge in the recruitment. Jett Goldsberry raved about his demeanor.
"He has a great energy to him," Goldsberry said. "He's truly one-of-a-kind. He along with coach Neighbors and everyone else there are great people as well as great coaches. This is what you ultimately want. You want to be surrounded by great people who love to compete."
Speaking of competing, Goldsberry was also impressed with Kiffin and and his mindset on and off the field.
"He is a great dude, really chill. I like him a lot," Goldsberry said. "He likes to bring competitiveness in everything he does. We played a baseball game when I was there on my visit, recruits versus coaches. I didn't see that anywhere else. He wants to compete in everything he does. I love that."
Goldsberry says he might upset some folks back home who would prefer he stay closer to home, but he is adamant about writing his own story.
"I love the town. It's how I grew up in Santa Claus (Indiana)," Goldsberry said. "It feels the same as Oxford. You're walking around and people know you. This was in the back of my mind the whole time I was thinking of where I wanted to go.
"A lot of places are a big city or a bigger town, but Oxford, there's nothing like it."
