Ole Miss is also after two of Kamarion Franklin’s Lake Cormorant teammates
Kamarion Franklin — Ole Miss’ highest-ranked commitment, in a 2024 class now ranked No. 23 in the country — isn’t the only next-level prospect starring for Lake Cormorant (Miss.) High School this season.
The Gators also feature Jarcoby Hopson — a 2025 four-star — and 2026 defensive back/wide receiver Tylen Mathews. Mathews has picked up early offers from Auburn and Arkansas.
“I’ve gotten to know Auburn,” Mathews told the Ole Miss Spirit on Friday. Lake Cormorant defeated Hernando, 28-7, in exhibition action. Mathews was a two-way starter. “I love it. It’s a great place, great environment. People love you over there. They treat you like family and everything.”
Franklin was sharing similar sentiments about Auburn before committing to Ole Miss on Saturday.
The Rebels surged past Auburn in the final days of his recruitment. His other finalists were Miami (Fla.) and, to a lesser extent, Tennessee. Franklin is ranked as a Top 30 prospect in the country by all but one of the four major recruiting services. He’s the No. 1 recruit in the state of Mississippi.
The 6-foot-1 1/2, 205-pound Hopson could make a play for Best in Class this time next year. He’s currently No. 4 in the state, as well as the No. 142 overall player nationally. He’s the No. 13 linebacker and already has 24 offers in hand.
Ole Miss is one of them. The Rebels haven’t yet offered Mathews.
“I like Pete Golding,” Hopson said. Golding was the primary recruiter for Franklin. “He gets after it there. Great coaches. Lane Kiffin’s a cool guy. I like Ole Miss. They’re recruiting me to play outside linebacker. (Golding) likes how I can play downhill. He likes how I’m physical and I can run.
“I’m an all-around type of player. I can play on the outside and the inside or middle.”
Hobson named Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Florida, Texas and South Carolina as the schools sticking out right now.
However, he cautioned his process is still very much in its infancy stages.
“Whatever school I think fits me the best I’m going to go to,” Hobson said.
Both Mathews and Hopson were in attendance at the end of July for Juice Fest, the Rebels’ end-of-summer recruiting blowout event.
“It was a great atmosphere, great experience,” Mathews said. Ole Miss is recruiting the 6-foot, 175-pound Mathews as a corner. He named proximity to home as a factor in the Rebels’ favor. “They said they were close to offering me. I don’t know (what they’re waiting on). They said they’ve been looking at me. But (Arkansas and Auburn) saw how I could play.
“I’m an athlete. I have the ability to jump, recognize the defense, coverage and all that. All the things it takes to become a great player.”
Hopson was impressed with the recently-reopened Manning Center — the indoor home of Ole Miss football.
“It was pretty fun to see the new facilities,” Hopson said. “I saw the new building there and I like what they’ve got going on there. They always told us it was coming. To now finally see it is crazy.”
“Everything they had over there was great,” Mathews added. “Ole Miss is close to home. They’re recruiting me for defense. Last year, we didn’t really do that much with the ball (as a wide receiver), but on defense I had balled out (as a corner).”
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