Ole Miss & Lane Kiffin do it again – flipping another in-state prospect away, adding to Top 25 class
On Monday, after rumors were swirling a flip could be happening, St. Martin (Miss.) defensive lineman Jayden Curtis announced he had flipped his commitment from UCF to Ole Miss.The 6-foot-3, 260 pound prospect had been committed to the Knights since the summer. Instead, he has opted to stay home and play for Lane Kiffin, Pete […]
On Monday, after rumors were swirling a flip could be happening, St. Martin (Miss.) defensive lineman Jayden Curtis announced he had flipped his commitment from UCF to Ole Miss.
The 6-foot-3, 260 pound prospect had been committed to the Knights since the summer. Instead, he has opted to stay home and play for Lane Kiffin, Pete Golding, and Randall Joyner. He spoke with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong about why he chose to flip at this stage of his recruitment.
“I’ve decided that staying close to home is the best decision for me and my family,” Curtis said. “Playing in the SEC presents an incredible opportunity, and it means a lot to me to represent my state. This choice allows my family to attend home games without the need for extensive travel, making it easier for them to support me. Ultimately, this decision aligns with both my personal goals and my family’s needs.”
In 2024, Ole Miss had the best defensive line in the country.
This had a major impact on Curtis’ decision to spurn Scott Frost and UCF and stay home to play for the Rebels.
“I’ve seen a lot of good things, especially D-line wise,” Curtis said. “I’ve seen last year watching them the year before the D-line wasn’t doing as much and Walter Nolen, Princely Umanmielen, JJ Pegues came and they just dominated.
“Just being able to play for a top 20 program in the SEC while also getting the best development,” Curtis said.
Curtis visited Ole Miss for the 2025 season-opening win over Georgia State. Afterwards, he spoke with 247Sports about the fit and why Ole Miss ultimately won out.
“I like everything about Ole Miss,” Curtis told us. “I like the coaching staff, the energy. They make me feel like I’m home. Then, it’s at home. They let me know they want me. (Defensive line) Coach (Randall) Joyner has recruited me very hard, and I like that. I’m going to continue to build a strong relationship with him.”
247Sports’ director of scouting, Andrew Ivins, is a big fan of Jayden Curtis’ potential.
“Active defensive lineman with a favorable combination of get-off, redirect skills and growth potential. Spent much of junior year attacking from the edge in a four-man front before getting more and more looks on the interior as a senior. Can find a flat back and split double teams with his power. Flashes impressive range as he will crash down and make effort-based stops in backside pursuit. Likely to undergo a major physical transformation as he’s set to start college well before his 18th birthday. Projects as a potential multi-year contributor for a Power Four program that can work out of a variety of different alignments up front. Might need a developmental semester or two, but flipped a switch early on as a 12th grader.” – 247Sports director of scouting, Andrew Ivins
Ole Miss Rebels News
Ole Miss Rebels & Lane Kiffin flips difference maker in the trenches, stealing him away from SEC rival
After rumors started swirling Thursday there was a chance of a big-time SEC rival flip, Ole Miss and head coach Lane Kiffin got it done. Friday morning New Albany (Miss.) four-star offensive lineman Emanuel Tucker announced he had flipped his commitment from LSU to the Rebels. The local product had been committed to the LSU […]
Curtis’ father, Dwayne Curtis, played basketball at Ole Miss from 2005-2008 and was later named to the 2024 SEC Legends class. As a junior, the younger Curtis finished 2024 with 52 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, and one interception.
