Lane Kiffin Bolts for LSU, Pete Golding Takes Over at Ole Miss: What It Means for the Rebels’ Recruiting Class
The coaching carousel just took a sharp turn in Oxford.
Lane Kiffin is out at Ole Miss, heading to LSU in a move that’s already shaking up the SEC landscape. In his place, the Rebels have turned to a familiar face, promoting defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach on November 30. And while the ink’s barely dry on that decision, the ripple effects are already hitting Ole Miss’ recruiting trail - hard.
With the early signing period kicking off December 3, the timing couldn’t be more delicate. The Rebels’ 2026 class was shaping up to be solid - ranked No. 21 nationally as of December 1, per the 247Sports Composite - but that ranking is now in flux as decommitments start to roll in and more could be on the horizon.
Kiffin’s Recruiting Legacy at Ole Miss
Say what you will about Lane Kiffin’s tenure in Oxford, but he consistently kept Ole Miss in the national recruiting conversation. Over six seasons, his classes hovered around the top 20 mark, with the 2025 class standing out as his best - ranked No. 16 in the country. That group didn’t feature any five-stars, but it did include eight four-star players, headlined by Choctaw County wideout Caleb Cunningham.
The low point came in 2022, when the Rebels’ class slipped to No. 27. Still, Kiffin’s ability to attract talent - especially on the offensive side of the ball - helped elevate the program’s national profile and build a foundation that Golding now inherits.
Fallout from Kiffin’s Departure
The impact of Kiffin’s move to Baton Rouge was immediate. As of December 1, Ole Miss has already lost two key pledges from its 2026 class: four-star wide receiver Corey Barber and three-star wideout Jameson Powell both decommitted. And it might not stop there.
Kiffin is known for his recruiting prowess, and now that he’s at LSU, he’s expected to try to bring some of those former Ole Miss commits with him. That’s a tough pill for the Rebels, especially with the early signing period just days away.
It’s not just the 2026 class feeling the shake-up. Class of 2027 prospects Trae'kerrion Collins and Shavezz Dixon have also backed off their pledges, signaling that the uncertainty around the program is resonating with younger recruits, too.
Who’s Still on the Board?
Despite the turbulence, Ole Miss still has a solid core in its 2026 class. There are no five-stars in the group, but it features eight four-star prospects - a strong foundation for Golding to build upon.
Leading the way is edge rusher Landon Barnes, the No. 115 overall player in the country. He’s the crown jewel of the class and a potential game-changer on the defensive front. He’s joined by:
- RB Damarius Yates
- TE JC Anderson
- S Craig Tutt
- CB Dorian Barney
- DL Emanuel Tucker
- LB JaMichael Garrett
- **LB Anthony Davis Jr. **
That’s a well-rounded mix of talent across multiple positions, especially on defense - no surprise given Golding’s background as a defensive coordinator.
At quarterback, the Rebels have a commitment from three-star Rees Wise out of Austin. He’s not a headliner, but he brings tools that could develop in the right system, especially if the Rebels can stabilize their offensive staff quickly.
Potential Flips and Long Shots
Recruiting never stops, and Ole Miss still has a few irons in the fire. One name to watch is Jase Matthews, a four-star receiver from Greene County currently committed to Auburn. Matthews recently said there’s a 90% chance he sticks with the Tigers - but also left the door cracked open, giving Ole Miss a 7% shot, and Texas A&M a 3% chance.
It’s a long shot, sure, but in this recruiting climate, you never say never. A strong pitch from Golding and his staff - especially if they can retain key assistant coaches - could keep Ole Miss in the mix.
Full List of 2026 Commitments (as of Dec. 1)
Here’s where things stand right now. This list could look very different in a week, but here are the prospects still committed to Ole Miss, ordered by their 247Sports Composite rankings:
- Edge: Landon Barnes
- RB: Damarius Yates
- TE: JC Anderson
- S: Craig Tutt
- CB: Dorian Barney
- DL: Emanuel Tucker
- LB: JaMichael Garrett
- LB: Anthony Davis Jr.
- S: Iverson McCoy
- ATH: Jett Goldsberry
- DL: Carmelow Reed
- CB: Nascar McCoy
- CB: Victor Lincoln
- RB: Ja'Michael Jones
- IOL: Ryan Miret
- DL: Jayden Curtis
- QB: Rees Wise
- CB: Braylen Williams
What’s Next for Golding and the Rebels?
There’s no sugarcoating it - this is a pivotal moment for Ole Miss football. Pete Golding steps into the top job with a talented but vulnerable recruiting class and a fanbase eager to see how the post-Kiffin era begins.
The early signing period will be his first major test. Can he steady the ship, keep key commits in the fold, and maybe even pull off a late flip or two? Or will the exodus continue as recruits follow Kiffin to LSU or explore other options?
One thing’s clear: the next few weeks will go a long way in shaping not just the 2026 class, but the trajectory of Golding’s tenure in Oxford.