The No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels are not just causing a stir with their undefeated 5-0 record in 2025, or their Division II starting QB eclipsing most other SEC QBs.
Lane Kiffin's 2026 recruiting cycle is also steadily progressing in the rankings table to match, or better overtake their previous season's rankings.
247 Sports ranked Kiffin's 2025 recruiting cycle at No. 16 with their 23 commits.
While there are still a few months left to find out whether the Rebels cross their previous season's mark this year, the early rankings have dropped in.
ESPN's Craig Haubert ranked Ole Miss's 2026 recruiting cycle at No. 22.
"The Rebels have relied heavily on the transfer portal, but by no means have turned their back on bringing in young talent. They signed a top-20 class for 2025 as well one of the top 10 newcomer classes for the last cycle," Haubert writes.
Although Kiffin's roster has been bolstered with key transfer portal additions, there are some recruits that are creating a buzz ahead of their arrival in Oxford.
"Damarius Yates was a key in-state keep, as he rushed for more than 1,300 yards as a junior for Kemper County and caught 31 passes. He possesses explosive lateral movement with the acceleration to separate from defenders. Corey Barber is a receiver with good speed and can be a vertical threat as well as create plays on jet sweeps."
"On defense, DEs Landon Barnes and Carmelow Reed both need further development but bring good tools. Barnes is out of one of the top programs in Texas (Duncanville) and uses his hands well and can set the edge. Reed has a big frame and possesses good first-step quickness. The Rebels added to their four-star defensive haul with Dorian Barney, a flip from Michigan who is a fluid and instinctive cover corner."
Looking at how things are going on, the Rebels are on the right path to get a major boost in the rankings chart.
Kiffin and his team have been hosting top recruits across the nation in several of their key matchups, like Arkansas and LSU.
Not just that, they have also started their school visits to lure in more high school talent, for both the 2026 and 2027 recruiting cycles.
Only time will tell how far will all the efforts take Ole Miss in the rankings.