Safety Major Preston commits to Ole Miss: ‘It felt like home’

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy three-star safety Major Preston took his first visit to Ole Miss on March 29 for a spring practice. The Rebels impressed him so much that he almost committed before leaving Oxford. 

Preston continued feeling good about Ole Miss following that trip, as he grew close with defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Pete Golding and safeties coach Wes Neighbors III. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back ended up silently committing to the SEC program on May 12 before publicly announcing his pledge on Saturday. 

“The relationship between me and Wes Neighbors III is big because we have been tight since day one,” Preston told On3. “They’ve been on me. When I left there, it felt like home. They made me feel like I was a high priority for them. I felt loved by the people around the program. They’re doing great things up there. 

“I got to talk to coach Lane Kiffin. He’s a good guy and said that I’m a priority for them. They’re losing a lot of guys in the secondary next year, so that is more opportunity for me there. They say I can play more than one position for them in the secondary.” 

Preston is excited to play for Ole Miss’ coaches

Preston, who chose Ole Miss over Florida and Virginia Tech, has visited the Rebels twice. He enjoyed spending time in Oxford and called it a “peaceful” college town. 

Ole Miss stayed in constant contact with the No. 96 player in Florida since offering him in the spring of 2023. That played a key role in his interest in the Rebels, as well as how the SEC program runs its defense and the leadership of Kiffin. 

“Coach Kiffin has been doing a great job,” said Preston, the No. 783 overall prospect and No. 64 safety in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “They were a top 10 team last year and he’s coming into this season to do well. They’re No. 6 in the preseason rankings. He’s a great guy and a stand-up guy. He’s somebody I want to play for and who lets the players be themselves.” 

Neighbors III was another important reason why Preston chose Ole Miss. He called their bond “so tight” and likes how the Rebels’ assistant acts and coaches. 

“Him and Pete Golding are a great duo when it comes to working with the secondary,” Preston said. “He knows what he’s doing and is somebody whose room I want to be a part of. I got that feeling from him that he is the coach that I want to be coached by.”