Corey Barber, one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 class, has reopened his recruitment after decommitting from Ole Miss - a move that comes on the heels of Lane Kiffin’s departure from Oxford to take over at LSU.
Barber, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound four-star out of Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Alabama, had originally committed to the Rebels back in May. At the time, he chose Ole Miss over a loaded list of suitors that included Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee - all heavyweights in the SEC recruiting ring.
What separated Ole Miss then was the comfort level Barber felt with the coaching staff and the program’s culture. “They treat me and my family like family,” Barber said after his initial commitment.
“I’ve been to practice plus an official visit so I’ve spent more time at Ole Miss than the others.”
That kind of familiarity and connection doesn’t come easy in the recruiting world, and it was clear the Rebels had prioritized Barber from the jump. He was a key target for the staff, and his visit to Oxford left a strong impression.
Barber spent time breaking down film with then-offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., digging into the numbers and seeing firsthand how productive the Ole Miss offense had been in recent years. That level of detail and transparency helped seal the deal - at least at the time.
But everything changed when Kiffin, Weis Jr., and wide receivers coach George McDonald made the move to Baton Rouge. With the trio now leading the offensive charge at LSU, Barber decided to hit pause and reassess. It wasn’t just about a coaching change - it was about the foundation that had drawn him to Ole Miss shifting under his feet.
Sources say LSU has been aggressive in its pursuit since the coaching transition, with Kiffin and his staff making Barber a top priority. That effort culminated in an official offer from LSU on Monday night, signaling just how serious the Tigers are about bringing Barber into the fold. With the Early Signing Period just days away, LSU is pushing hard to flip the former Rebel commit and plug him into their 2026 class.
And make no mistake - this isn’t just about filling a roster spot. LSU sees Barber as a difference-maker.
BREAKING: Four-Star WR Corey Barber has Decommitted from Ole Miss, he tells me for @rivals⁰⁰The 6’1 185 WR from Pinson, AL had been Committed to the Rebels since May
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 30, 2025
Was the 2nd highest-ranked recruit in the Rebels’ 2026 Classhttps://t.co/oIxZRfp4KC pic.twitter.com/U58OqtCa1D
A polished route-runner with strong hands and the ability to create separation, he fits the mold of the kind of receiver Kiffin has built his offenses around in the past. The Tigers have momentum, and the timing couldn’t be better as they look to lock in a key piece for their future.
Blessed to receive a offer from Louisiana State University #GeauxTigers🐅 @CoachGMcDonald @Lane_Kiffin @Jburdette82 @coachfloyd33 @CCHSfootbal pic.twitter.com/MGQoiscCSj
— Corey Barber (@coreybarberjr) December 2, 2025
All signs now point to Barber making a final decision by Wednesday, and LSU is trending in the right direction. With Kiffin and his offensive brain trust now in Baton Rouge, the pitch is simple: come be a part of something new, but familiar - with the same coaches who believed in you from the start.