Lane Kiffin recruiting 101: Here's how Ole Miss flipped 4-star CB from Michigan

Dorian Barney, a highly touted four-star cornerback from Carrollton, Georgia, has officially flipped his college commitment from the University of Michigan to Ole Miss, marking another significant recruiting win for Lane Kiffin and the Rebels.

Barney’s decision, announced after a captivating weekend visit to Oxford, sent ripples through the college football recruiting world and left Wolverines fans reeling as Michigan’s 2026 recruiting class lost its highest-rated defensive back.

Lane Kiffin and Pete Golding have been on a really hot streak in the high school ranks. This is another massive flip following the coup of Immanuel Tucker a few weeks ago.

Barney joins a growing list of Georgia defensive players in the 2026 Ole Miss class. The Rebels will continue to push for Ole Miss legacy Deuce Geralds, who committed to LSU last month.

Lane Kiffin's efforts were the secret sauce in winning over Barney

Barney had originally committed to Michigan in early July, with much fanfare and optimism surrounding his choice. However, the allure of Ole Miss—and proximity to home—continued to pull at him throughout the fall. His visit to Oxford coincided with an electric game-day atmosphere as Ole Miss defeated LSU, leaving Barney deeply impressed by the team’s direction under Kiffin.

“The environment was crazy. My first time attending an Ole Miss game did not let me down. The direction (Kiffin is) steering the team is impressive; he’s among the best coaches in college football,” Barney reflected. The potential for a national championship run only made the Rebels more appealing, and Barney decided to lock in his pledge as soon as he returned home.

For Ole Miss, landing Barney is a major feat, catapulting Kiffin's 2026 recruiting class into the national conversation. Barney immediately becomes one of the top five highest-rated recruits in the Rebels’ class—a group packed with talent from not only Georgia but across the Southeast.

At 6 feet, 170 pounds, Barney is considered the No. 237 overall prospect and the No. 24 cornerback in the 2026 recruiting cycle, adding further athleticism and depth to the Rebels’ secondary. The Rebels' 2026 class is not soundly in the top 20, and they have the chance to add a few more major pieces before national signing day.

Barney’s flip reaffirms Lane Kiffin’s reputation as a premier recruiter, especially in the fiercely competitive SEC. The move also signals the increasingly fluid nature of modern college football recruiting, where top athletes are quick to reevaluate their options in real time.

For Ole Miss fans, Dorian Barney’s commitment is not just a symbolic win—it’s an investment in a future defense built to challenge for titles.