Ole Miss continues its surge on the recruiting trail with the commitment of four-star linebacker JaMichael Garrett, a major addition to Lane Kiffin’s 2026 class.
Garrett, who plays for Central High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, announced his decision on September 15 after attending the Rebels’ thrilling home win over Arkansas, citing the program’s family atmosphere and the strength of relationships with coaches as key factors in his choice.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 205 pounds, Garrett is rated Louisiana’s No. 8 overall prospect and a top-15 linebacker nationally. His commitment comes after decommitting from Auburn earlier this summer; fiercely recruited by both SEC rivals and national powers, Garrett ultimately chose the Rebels over LSU, Clemson, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Southern Cal.
Pete Golding, Ole Miss’s defensive coordinator, played a pivotal role in the process, with Garrett highlighting Golding’s reputation and the staff’s SEC pedigree as major selling points
Garrett stated in an interview with Hayes Fawcett, "Ole Miss, they do a good job at building relationships and making you feel like a priority. Obviously, they just lost a linebacker in their class. Guy that flipped over seven to eight times, so just knowing that they want loyalty and they have stability. Two coaches that coached under Nick Saban, and just knowing that Nick Saban, one of the greatest coaches to coach in college football, wanted them guys a part of the staff. Then they dispersed out to start their own program, which has been very successful".
Garrett’s junior season at Gulf Shores High School was outstanding: he racked up 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown. As a sophomore, he posted 87 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, consistently emerging as a game-changer in critical situations.
With Garrett’s commitment, Ole Miss's 2026 recruiting class now stands among the top-20 nationally, reflecting the program’s entrenched momentum and Lane Kiffin’s continued success in attracting elite defensive talent. The Rebel are also receiving additional picks to flip another prized Auburn recruit.