Lane Kiffin has just wrapped up a highly impressive recruitment cycle, securing Ole Miss’ best high school recruiting class in nearly ten years, along with a top-three Transfer Portal group. But his work isn’t over yet as he shifts focus to targeting elite talent for the 2026 class and beyond.
Earlier in January, it seemed Ole Miss had lost a crucial recruiting battle for four-star defensive lineman JaReylan McCoy, a highly coveted in-state recruit, to LSU and Brian Kelly. However, McCoy recently decommitted from LSU and has added Ole Miss back to his list of official visit destinations.
JaReylan McCoy: A Top Target for Ole Miss
McCoy has been a priority for Kiffin and his staff since 2023 when he was just a freshman in high school, and it was clear from the start that McCoy was bound to be one of the nation’s top players. The Rebels were quick to offer him, making frequent visits to his home in Tupelo, Mississippi, which is just a short drive from Oxford. Despite McCoy’s initial commitment to LSU, Kiffin and his team persisted in their recruitment. Since the start of the year, McCoy has met with Kiffin and his staff multiple times, which many believe contributed to his decision to decommit from LSU.
McCoy’s recruitment is still ongoing and not a guarantee for Ole Miss, but the Rebels appear to be in a strong position. He has official visits scheduled for the summer with Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn, and Texas A&M. While other schools are still in the mix, Ole Miss is currently the frontrunner.
If Ole Miss secures McCoy’s commitment, he could be their next standout player, possibly even reaching the level of Walter Nolen if he continues to develop physically. At the very least, he has the potential to become a key contributor like Jaredy Ivey or Princely Umanmielen if he leans toward defensive end.
McCoy has been dominant in high school for three straight years, and he could make an immediate impact if he joins the Rebels. His combination of power, speed, and intelligence will likely earn him significant playing time early in his career.
Although McCoy’s recruitment might extend into the summer, Ole Miss looks to be in a strong position to land him. If they do, it could be the start of another exceptional 2026 recruiting class and the foundation for a dominant pass-rush unit.
Stay tuned for more coverage on Ole Miss football at A to Z Sports! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest updates. And to see why McCoy is considered one of the top players in the nation, check out his sophomore highlights, where he was already dominating opposing offenses.
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