Ole Miss football adds another top defensive commit from the 2025 class

The 2025 recruitment class for Ole Miss is looking healthy again, especially on the defensive side of the ball. On July 6, the Rebels received a commitment from Major Preston, a talented IMG Academy defensive back.

Preston, who offers versatility in the secondary, is rated a four-star safety by Rivals. Although he played his high school ball in Florida at IMG Academy, he is a native of Hopewell, VA. Preston committed to Ole Miss over Florida, Colorado, and his home state school, Virginia Tech.

Speaking to 247Sports Inside the Rebels, Major Preston was confident he would commit to Ole Miss after his June 14-16 visit, even with a visit to Virginia Tech on the cards. Preston is ranked the No. 86 player in Florida and the No. 56 cornerback in the nation by 247Sports Composite Rankings. On3 and Rivals ranked him as a safety.

Safeties coach Wes Neighbors III big part in recruitment

Just as he did in recruiting cornerback commit Cortez Thomas, Ole Miss safeties coach Wes Neighbors III played a vital role in Major Preston's commitment. Preston spoke to Inside the Rebels about Neighbors III.

"" When I went up there, I got a good feeling. Me and coach Wes Neighbors, the safeties coach up there, our bond has been tight since day one and he's been recruiting me the hardest.""

- Major Preston speaking to 247Sports

Neighbors III is heading into his second season as Ole Miss safeties coach, linking up with Lane Kiffin again, after working under him at FAU. Kiffin has assembled a talented staff of not just in coaching, but in recruiting also.

Safeties and assistant head coach Neighbors III is doing his part in identifying top talent in the secondary and recruiting them hard, just like new wide receivers coach George McDonald is with the wide receivers.

One thing the Ole Miss coaching staff is excellent at is finding recruits who are much better than their rating suggests. Major Preston will be a top contributor for the Rebels.