The Grove Report

Ole Miss Football Trending for Prized Mississippi Tight End, Priority Rebels Target

Lane Kiffin and Co. continue turning up the heat for the in-state tight end, priority target for the Rebels.

Zack Nagy

Mississippi Rebels tight end Caden Prieskorn (86) hauls in a reception between Duke Blue Devils linebacker Alex Howard (3) and safety DaShawn Stone (8) during the first quarter of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Mississippi Rebels tight end Caden Prieskorn (86) hauls in a reception between Duke Blue Devils linebacker Alex Howard (3) and safety DaShawn Stone (8) during the first quarter of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Lexington (Miss.) Holmes County Central tight end Julius Mathis remains a priority target for Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels with the program battling to keep the in-state star home.

Mathis, the top-ranked tight end in Mississippi, has reeled in a myriad of offers from several talented schools across the country including Ole Miss and Oregon State, among others.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder has quickly become a priority target for Kiffin's Rebels with the program turning up the heat down the stretch for his services.

Now, the predictions are beginning to roll in for Mathis.

On Sunday morning, 247Sports Recruiting Analyst David Johnson logged a crystal ball for Mathis to land in Ole Miss' 2026 Recruiting Class.

Mathis is a dynamic weapon at the tight end position with soft hands that translate from his time on the hardwood.

He's a proven athlete that will continue advancing as he sharpens his technique on the gridiron as a balanced tight end.

Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels hold a pair of commitments in next year's class with the program turning up the heat for a myriad of prospects this offseason.

One Target to Know: Cortez Redding [2026 Safety]

Jonesboro (Ga.) four-star defensive back Cortez Redding continues his rise as one of the top prospects in the Peach State following a standout junior campaign.

Redding, a Top-15 safety in America, has received offers from the "Who's Who" of college football with Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss Rebels heavily in the mix.

The 6-foot, 170-pounder recently trimmed his list with Ole Miss, LSU, Florida, Indiana, Miami, Auburn, Florida State and North Carolina State rounding out his Top-8 schools.

Redding has also locked in official visits with multiple schools in his final group; including trips to see the Miami Hurricanes (May 30), North Carolina State Wolfpack (June 6) and Ole Miss Rebels (June 13), according to On3 Sports.

Kiffin and Co. will get the final official visit as it currently stands, but Redding could also add a final visit during the weekend of June 20 prior to the NCAA Dead Period going into effect in July.

Which school is beginning to make noise in his recruitment? Mario Cristobal's Hurricanes.

“I love the school and I have loved the school for the longest time,” Redding told On3’s Chad Simmons. "I used to watch all the Ray Lewis and Sean Taylor videos.

"They came by my school multiple times and they have been showing interest for a very long time. I love they always have been honest with me and I feel like it’s a great city to go to school in and grow in.”

What's Redding look for when it comes to the school of his choice? The chance to see the field early and growth as a man off the field as well, he revealed in an interview with On3 Sports.

“I want to go where I can play and get my feet wet early for a coaching staff that develops my body and mind for the next level. Then I want a school that prepares me for life after football and teaches me about manhood, my future with a wife, kids and things like that. Those are the main four things I look for in a school.”

Now, Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels will continue their pursuit for one of the top talents in the Peach State as his recruitment ramps up this offseason.

More Ole Miss News:

Ole Miss Quarterback Confident He's "The Best" QB in the 2025 NFL Draft

Top-10 Quarterback in America Locks in Ole Miss Visit

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss Rebels Confirm Spring Game Plans in April

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and Ole Miss Rebels On SI: @OleMissOnSI for all coverage surrounding the Ole Miss program.

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Zack Nagy
ZACK NAGY

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