Can Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin land a five-star in 2025 class?

Ole Miss has Quitman (Miss.) running back Akylin Dear committed already. He is the Rebels’ highest-rated commit at No. 33 overall, per On3’s Industry Ranking. In fact, he is the highest-rated four-star in the 2025 class.

Ole Miss did sign Raleigh (Miss.) Five-Star Plus+ linebacker Suntarine Perkins in 2023. But, other than the NCAA Transfer Portal, Lane Kiffin has not signed any other five-star prospects since being hired after the 2019 season.

This year’s cycle has 32 five-stars and several have ties to Kiffin and the Ole Miss staff. Despite most of them not exactly trending Ole Miss’ way, stranger things have happened in the NIL Era. Furthermore, this season is the most highly-anticipated seasons in program history with a legitimate shot to be in the College Football Playoff. A feat which could put Ole Miss in the running for some program-changing talent.

Let’s take a look at a few prospects who could potentially be on Kiffin’s radar heading into the summer.

Caleb Cunningham – No. 13 overall, No. 3 WR

The most gettable name on this list, in my opinion, is Cunningham. Yes, Mississippi State has all the buzz after the Jeff Lebby hire. Yes, sources say those around Cunningham are pro-Mississippi State. But, Ole Miss has Kiffin and Ole Miss is most likely on the cusp of another double-digit win year. The actual season is potentially going to play a part here. If Ole Miss makes the College Football Playoff, how does it affect the five-star wideout’s decision. If the Rebels are playing football in late December and Mississippi State is not, how does it affect things?

We will see. But, I have some very, very cautious optimism as it pertains to the in-state wide receiver’s recruitment.

Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin visits 2025 5-star WR Caleb Cunningham (Credit: ChoctawCountyFB/X)

Michael Terry – No. 21 overall, No. 1 ATH

Now, let’s take a look at a longshot. Terry received an offer from Ole Miss last fall. The Rebels’ staff has a ton of ties to the state of Texas. But, everyone wants Terry. Kiffin added Alex Brown as a general manager alongside Billy Glasscock. Both have a ton of ties to the Lone Star State and have had a ton of success landing players like Terry. But, until he visits, it will be a big ask.

Five star Michael Terry III

Jared Smith – No. 37 overall, No. 4 EDGE

Let’s turn the page to prospects who have visited. Smith is one of those. He has been a longtime target of the staff. Pete Golding has recruited the state of Alabama well and it has continued after he joined Kiffin’s staff. Smith was in town for the Grove Bowl in April. Randall Joyner is a big part of the Rebels’ efforts here, but South Carolina is coming on strong. Smith is on this list because both Golding and Joyner have shown they are good closers. We’ll see if they can pull it off.

For science, Smith is not currently ranked a five-star. But, he is 37th overall, per the On3 Industry Rankings, so there is a very good shot he gets inside the number by seasons’ end.

Photo by Chad Simmons/On3

Carius Curne – No. 82 overall, No. 5 IOL

Curne decommitted from Arkansas earlier this spring. And despite everyone expecting him to eventually flip to LSU, he has remained uncommitted. Ole Miss has been a very common theme in his recruitment and John Garrison continues to keep Ole Miss on Curne’s mind. Like Smith, Curne is not currently a five-star, but On3 has him currently ranked as the No. 25 overall prospect and the No. 1 interior offensive lineman. I think Ole Miss has a great shot at landing the Marion, Ark., prospect.

Ole Miss IOL target Carius Curne (Photo credit: Carius Curne-X)

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