Ole Miss leads the way with five 2025 blue-chip prospects from Mississippi

Ole Miss continues to improve when it comes to recruiting in-state talent and this cycle, the Rebels were able to lead the way with the most recruits signed out of Mississippi. The program is on the right trajectory and prospects are recognizing that.

“A lot of really good players coming here,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said earlier this month. “I think this is our best class, since we’ve been here, of high school players. I think that’s a product of a lot of things. Assistant coaches working really hard, doing a really good job. We have a good general manager, Billy Glasscock, keeping things together. I think that’s a product of a lot of winning seasons. Since these guys have gone to high school, all they’ve done is see us win.”

The state of Mississippi produced 12 prospects in the 2025 cycle who were four-star prospects or better, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. All 12 signed with a college program during the early signing period.

Eight of those recruits stayed in Mississippi, with five heading to Ole Miss and three heading to Mississippi State. Auburn, Alabama, Florida State and LSU each inked one, too.

Here’s a look at the prospects who signed with Ole Miss that are blue-chips.

1. WR Caleb Cunningham 

School: Ackerman Choctaw County
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 21 NATL. (No. 3 WR)

Scouting Summary: “Bouncy outside receiver with the upside to become a skilled ball-winner. Measured at a shade 6-foot-2, 180 pounds with 32-inch arms and 9-inch hands prior to his senior season. Moves well at his size on film. Shows the ability to come down with catches in contested situations. Hangs in the air to come down with acrobatic grabs. Naturally coordinated and can locate the football at its highest point.

…Also shows some ability to make defenders miss after the catch. Increased his production as a junior, catching 48 passes for 1,138 yards and 14 touchdowns. Production tailed off a bit as a senior. Doubles as a fantastic high school basketball player, who has perhaps the best dunk reel among 2025 football prospects. Lives above the rim, throwing down electric dunks with regularity. Has considerable natural ability but will need to hone his technical skill at the position over the final few years of high school football, including expanding his route tree. Older for the cycle, turning 19 years old as a senior. Has considerable upside with continued technical development.”

7. CB Maison Dunn 

School: Tupelo
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 175 NATL. (No. 23 CB)

Coach’s Take: “Most coaches have offered and recruited him as a corner,” Tupelo head coach Ty Hardin said of the Ole Miss signee. “But he’s skilled enough to play safety, too. He is built like a gazelle and is going to get better and better.”

“Maison is a low-maintenance kid, quiet and easy to coach. His best football is in front of him and he’s all about business. If he can stay healthy and doing what he’s supposed to do his ceiling is high. I don’t think he’s done growing. Maison is a legit man corner type of guy. Though I do think he could grow into a safety the way defenses are these days. He can be someone to cover and lock down a slot receiver or a tight end.”

9. DL Andrew Maddox 

School: Hattiesburg Oak Grove
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 234 NATL. (No. 19 DL)

Maddox on Ole Miss: “They are developing players and they won 11 games last year. Me and Coach Pete (Golding), we have a connection,” Maddox told On3 of Ole Miss in March. “He recruited me when he was at Alabama. When he moved to Ole Miss, that brought me closer to him. My brother is going there, so that’s what also drew me closer to Ole Miss. (Defensive line) coach (Randall) Joyner is like a second father to me. He’s taken me under his wing and shown me around, shown me things and we are building a relationship. I am getting to know him and I feel safe around him.” 

11. LB Jarcoby Hopson

School: Horn Lake Lake Cormorant 
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 293 NATL. (No. 31 LB)

Ole Miss brings in elite talent: Hopson was named Mississippi’s 6A Athlete of the Year this year. As a senior, Hopson totaled 88 total tackles with an impressive 50 solo tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks. On offense, he made an even bigger impact for the Gators. The future Ole Miss linebacker carried the football 63 times for 403 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

12. S Cortez Thomas

School: Lexington Holmes County Central
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 353 NATL. (No. 34 S)

Thomas impresses in postseason play: On3 named Thomas a standout at defensive back for Mississippi in the MS/AL All-Star Game practices. The 6-foot, 170-pounder lined up at corner and safety in practice and made several plays on the ball. Thomas had little trouble staying in-phase with receivers while working in man coverage at corner. He’s also an Under Armour All-American selection.