Ole Miss Faces Recruiting Fallout After Lane Kiffin’s Departure
Change is always part of the college football landscape, but when it hits just days before early signing day, the ripple effects can be immediate - and significant. That’s exactly what Ole Miss is dealing with in the wake of Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU.
Kiffin, who led the Rebels to an impressive 11-1 record this season, made the jump to Baton Rouge on November 30. In response, Ole Miss moved quickly to name defensive coordinator Pete Golding as the new head coach, aiming to maintain some continuity as the team gears up for a College Football Playoff run. But even with a familiar face stepping up, the coaching change has already started to impact the Rebels' 2026 recruiting class.
Two wide receivers - four-star Corey Barber and three-star Jameson Powell - have backed off their commitments to Ole Miss in the days since Kiffin’s exit. Both announced their decisions on social media, signaling a shift in momentum for a class that was ranked No. 21 nationally by the 247Sports Composite prior to the decommitments. The class now stands at 18 players.
Let’s take a closer look at the two prospects who’ve decided to reopen their recruitment:
Corey Barber, WR
- Ranking: 4 stars, No. 169 nationally, No. 8 in Alabama, No. 25 among wide receivers
- High School: Clay-Chalkville (Pinson, Alabama)
- Size: 6-foot, 180 pounds
Barber was one of the marquee names in Ole Miss’ 2026 class, a dynamic playmaker from a powerhouse program in Alabama. His decommitment came swiftly - on the same day Kiffin announced his departure. That timing suggests Barber’s decision was directly tied to the coaching change.
He’s not short on options. According to 247Sports, Barber holds offers from some of the biggest names in college football, including Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and Penn State.
With that kind of national interest, expect his recruitment to heat up quickly. He brings speed, route-running polish, and the kind of upside that makes him a potential difference-maker at the next level.
Jameson Powell, WR
- Ranking: 3 stars, No. 715 nationally, No. 53 in California, No. 103 among wide receivers
- High School: Folsom (Folsom, California)
Powell followed Barber’s lead, decommitting just a day later on December 1. While he may not carry the same star power as Barber, Powell is a solid prospect in his own right - a smooth route-runner with good hands and a knack for finding soft spots in coverage.
His offer list includes programs like Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, all of which are known for dynamic passing attacks. It’s clear that Powell will have plenty of suitors as he reevaluates his next step.
What’s Next for Ole Miss?
This is the kind of turbulence that’s hard to avoid during a coaching transition, especially one that happens right before signing day. Even with Pete Golding stepping in from within the program, recruits often build relationships with head coaches that are hard to replicate quickly.
Still, the Rebels have time to regroup. The early signing window opens December 3, but the traditional signing period in February gives Golding and his staff a chance to stabilize the class - and maybe even flip a few new targets along the way.
With 18 players still committed and a strong season to sell, Ole Miss isn’t starting from scratch. But the next few weeks will be critical in determining whether this class holds steady or continues to shift in the wake of Kiffin’s departure.
The recruiting trail just got a lot more interesting in Oxford.