Ole Miss Flips In-State LSU Commit Kervin Johnson Jr. Amid Coaching Drama
College football recruiting has never been for the faint of heart, and with the early signing period looming, the stakes are only getting higher. Add in a high-profile coaching shakeup between SEC rivals, and you've got the perfect storm for some major recruiting drama. Case in point: three-star wide receiver Kervin Johnson Jr. flipping his commitment from LSU to Ole Miss.
Now, flips happen all the time, especially this time of year. But this one hits a little different-and not just because it’s a move between two SEC West programs. Johnson’s decision to commit to the Rebels comes on the heels of a seismic coaching change that’s already sent shockwaves through the conference: Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss to take over at LSU, right in the middle of what’s been a historic College Football Playoff season for the Rebels.
So yes, this flip carries a little extra heat.
And for new Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, this is more than just a win on the recruiting trail-it’s a statement. Poaching a Louisiana native and LSU commit in the immediate aftermath of Kiffin’s departure? That’s how you send a message that the Rebels aren’t going anywhere, even with a new man at the helm.
A Big Get for the Rebels
Kervin Johnson Jr. isn’t just any recruit. He’s a 6-foot-2, 200-pound wideout from Tioga, Louisiana, and one of the top athletes in the state.
According to 247Sports, he ranks as the No. 16 player in Louisiana and the No. 70 recruit nationally in the 2026 class. That kind of in-state talent leaving for a division rival?
That stings for LSU.
Johnson brings a versatile athletic profile to Oxford. He’s not just a football player-he’s a multi-sport athlete who’s also competed in basketball and track and field at Tioga High School. That kind of all-around athleticism tends to translate well at the next level, especially in the SEC, where speed and physicality are everything.
His senior season numbers back up the hype. Johnson hauled in 61 catches for 1,350 yards and 16 touchdowns-production that jumps off the stat sheet. He’s not just a possession receiver or a deep threat; he’s a playmaker who can do a little bit of everything.
With Johnson now in the fold, he becomes the 17th commitment for Ole Miss in the 2026 cycle, and one of the most notable so far. For a program looking to maintain momentum in the wake of a coaching change, this kind of recruiting win is exactly what the Rebels needed.
A New Chapter in the LSU-Ole Miss Rivalry
This move adds another layer to an already heated rivalry. LSU and Ole Miss have never exactly been on friendly terms, but with Kiffin now wearing purple and gold and Golding making moves like this, things are about to get even spicier.
Recruits flipping is part of the game, especially when coaching staffs change. But when that flip involves a homegrown Louisiana talent leaving the Tigers for a suddenly Kiffin-less Ole Miss? That’s going to be remembered.
For now, Pete Golding and the Rebels can celebrate a recruiting win that checks all the boxes: positional need, in-state sting for a rival, and a player with high upside. And for LSU, it’s a reminder that even in the midst of a coaching hire that’s dominating headlines, the work on the recruiting trail never stops.
This one might not make or break a class, but it sure adds fuel to a rivalry that’s already burning hot.