Ole Miss Wraps Up 2026 Signing Day With Final Addition, Strong Class Under Pete Golding
Signing Day has come and gone in Oxford, and Pete Golding’s first full recruiting cycle at the helm of Ole Miss football is officially in the books. While the heavy lifting was done back in December, the Rebels added one final piece to their 2026 class on February 4 - defensive lineman Jamarion Owens out of Raleigh, Mississippi.
Owens, who committed to Ole Miss on January 10, chose the Rebels over offers from Memphis, Southern Miss, South Alabama, and others. At 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, he brings size and upside to the defensive front, rounding out a class that already featured 19 signees from the early period.
Let’s take a deeper look at the full 2026 high school class - a group that reflects Golding’s defensive roots, but also brings intriguing talent across the board.
Defensive Identity Front and Center
It’s no surprise that with Golding steering the ship, defense was a priority. The Rebels brought in a wave of talent on that side of the ball, headlined by Landon Barnes, a 4-star edge rusher from powerhouse Duncanville (TX). At 6-foot-3.5 and 235 pounds, Barnes is the kind of twitchy, disruptive pass rusher that can make life miserable for SEC quarterbacks.
Dorian Barney, a 4-star corner from Carrollton, Georgia, brings length and instincts to the secondary. He’s joined by a deep group of defensive backs including Craig Tutt (4-star safety from Tennessee), Nascar McCoy (a 6-2 safety from Buford, GA), and Victor Lincoln (a 3-star corner from Texas). That’s a versatile mix of size, speed, and ball skills - exactly what you need to keep up in today’s pass-heavy SEC.
At linebacker, Golding landed two 4-star prospects: Anthony Davis Jr. from Georgia and JaMichael Garrett out of Baton Rouge. Both are modern linebackers - fast, physical, and able to cover in space. They’ll fit well in a scheme that demands versatility.
Up front, Owens joins Carmelow Reed, a 6-foot-7 defensive lineman from Illinois who’s raw but oozing potential, and Jayden Curtis, a Mississippi native who brings some interior toughness. Emanuel Tucker, a 6-5, 290-pound offensive tackle from New Albany, also deserves mention - he’s one of the top-rated linemen in the state and brings SEC-ready size.
Offensive Talent with Playmaking Potential
While defense may have gotten the spotlight, the offensive side of the ball wasn’t ignored. The biggest splash?
Jase Matthews, a 4-star wideout from Leakesville, Mississippi. He’s ranked No. 16 nationally at the position and brings a polished route tree and sure hands.
He’s joined by Kervin Johnson, a 6-2, 220-pound receiver from Louisiana who offers a more physical presence on the outside.
In the backfield, Ole Miss added two running backs with very different styles. Damarius Yates is the headliner - a 4-star back ranked No. 12 at his position nationally.
He’s a compact, explosive runner who can break off chunk plays and contribute in the passing game. Ja'Michael Jones, a 3-star from Alabama, complements him with a more downhill, one-cut style.
The quarterback of the class is Rees Wise, a 3-star from Austin Westlake. At 6-2, 218 pounds, he’s got the frame and pedigree - now it’s about development. Wise will have time to grow in the system, but he’s a name to watch down the line.
The offensive line group is anchored by Jalan Chapman from New Orleans and Kane Mankins out of Massachusetts. Chapman brings SEC size at 6-3, 305, while Mankins is a bit of a developmental prospect but has intriguing tools.
Recruiting Rankings and Transfer Impact
According to 247Sports, Ole Miss closed out the 2026 cycle with the No. 22-ranked high school class in the nation. That’s consistent with where the Rebels have landed in recent years - No. 16 in 2025, No. 21 in 2024, and No. 23 in 2023 - but the real juice in Oxford right now is coming from the transfer portal.
The Rebels currently sit at No. 2 nationally in the transfer portal rankings, trailing only LSU. That’s a testament to how aggressively they’ve worked the portal to supplement high school recruiting - a strategy that’s become essential in today’s college football landscape.
Full 2026 High School Signing Class
Here’s a full breakdown of the 20 high school signees in the 2026 class:
- Jamarion Owens, DL - Raleigh (MS) - 6'2, 270 - 3★
- Landon Barnes, EDGE - Duncanville (TX) - 6'3.5, 235 - 4★
- Dorian Barney, CB - Carrollton (GA) - 6'1, 180 - 4★
- Jayden Curtis, OL - St.
Martin (MS) - 6'3, 260 - 3★
- **Anthony Davis Jr.
**, LB - Loganville (GA) - 6'2, 200 - 4★
- JaMichael Garrett, LB - Baton Rouge (LA) - 6'1, 205 - 4★
- Jase Matthews, WR - Leakesville (MS) - 6'1, 193 - 4★
- Kervin Johnson, WR - Tioga (LA) - 6'2, 220 - 3★
- Ja'Michael Jones, RB - Montgomery (AL) - 5'11, 185 - 3★
- Victor Lincoln, CB - Lancaster (TX) - 6'0, 165 - 3★
- Kane Mankins, OL - Attleboro (MA) - 6'4, 245 - Unranked
- Iverson McCoy, S - Tupelo (MS) - 6'0, 180 - 3★
- Nascar McCoy, S - Buford (GA) - 6'2, 180 - 3★
- Carmelow Reed, DL - Olympia Fields (IL) - 6'7, 250 - 3★
- Emanuel Tucker, OT - New Albany (MS) - 6'5, 290 - 4★
- Jalan Chapman, OL - New Orleans (LA) - 6'3, 305 - 3★
- Craig Tutt, S - Murfreesboro (TN) - 5'11, 180 - 4★
- Braylen Williams, CB - Tupelo (MS) - 6'0, 175 - 3★
- Rees Wise, QB - Austin (TX) - 6'2, 218 - 3★
- Damarius Yates, RB - De Kalb (MS) - 5'10, 190 - 4★
What’s Next?
The late signing period for high school players runs from February 4 through February 6, but with Owens now in the fold, Ole Miss appears to be done on that front.
As for the transfer portal, it officially closed on January 16. However, teams can still add players who entered before that deadline - so don’t be surprised if the Rebels still have a few moves left to make.
Spring practice dates haven’t been announced yet, but typically things get rolling in late February and run into April. With a top-25 recruiting class and a top-2 portal haul, there will be no shortage of storylines to follow once the pads come back on.
Pete Golding’s first full cycle is in the books - and if this class is any indication, the foundation is being laid for a new era in Oxford.