Dorian Barney's flip was the recruiting slugfest everyone was talking about, and Ole Miss sharking Michigan made for an even bigger headline back in September 2025.
Six months later, Barney’s progress and his leap on the scale prove exactly why the Carrollton star made the right call.
Freshman Dorian Barney impresses in spring practice
Landon Barnes and Ant Davis are both blue-chip prospects training for Ole Miss this season, but there was a particular reason Barney's physical improvement stood out the most to Pete Golding.
"I think Dorian Barney's another kid at the corner that came in size speedwise, but was really frail. I think he's put on some really, really good weight."
Golding quickly followed it up with Barnes' significant physical improvement, explaining how "he's put on the right type of weight."
Davis's weight shift from 220 from 207 didn't go unnoticed as well.
But, it was one thing that made Barney's transformation stand out the most for Golding.
"I would say Dorian Barney for sure body type looks different. Can see it transfer to the field already.
Paul Constantine's strength and conditioning program has been a hit overall, delivering the best results, as Golding elaborated.
"I mean, obviously, our focus was on our entire team, but I think the biggest improvements come from the 18-19-year-old kids that haven't been in a real nutrition program or a real strength and conditioning program. So, I think they take the biggest steps the fastest," Golding said.
"It's just they're going to go in there, and whatever they do, they're going to work their a** off. I mean, so those guys that buy into nutrition and then buy into the strength and conditioning component, buy into sleeping and hydrating, all the things that matter to be able to transform your body, Those are the ones that you see it the fastest. But I think that group is definitely looks different than when it first got here. I think it's the majority of them, to be honest with you."
Emanuel Flaukner, also a part of their group, stayed in competition with equally impressive physical improvement.
The Rebels aren't just looking for a repeat this time; they look primed to blow past last year’s bar at semifinal finish.