Oh, man! Big shake-up for Ole Miss this week. Four-star running back Akylin Dear just pulled his commitment on Friday night. That's right, he's the fourth high-profile prospect from the Rebels' 2025 class to decommit in just one week. Talk about a tough break for Lane Kiffin and his team!
Dear, who hails from Quitman, Mississippi, had been a top prospect for the Rebels since he committed back on March 30. He's the second-ranked running back in the country and the 29th overall recruit in the ESPN 300. And he didn't just make this decision quietly. Nope, he confirmed the news with a couple of emojis in a post on X.
If you’re wondering how good this kid is, let’s just say he’s a beast on the field. Last fall, as a junior at Quitman High School, Dear racked up an impressive 2,016 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. At 6 feet tall and 205 pounds, he's got the size and skills that had top programs like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, and Mississippi State offering him spots.
But now, he's back on the market, leaving Ole Miss with some big gaps to fill in their 2025 class. Dear was a key player for Kiffin, especially after a rough start to the week. Just four days earlier, three other Ole Miss commits, including four-star wide receiver Jerome Myles, decided to decommit as well. Myles, who is ranked 26th in the ESPN 300 and is the fifth-best wide receiver in his class, was the biggest hit among them. Alongside him, outside linebacker Corey Amos (ranked 38th OLB) and wide receiver Dillon Alfred (ranked 54th WR) also pulled their pledges.
This wave of decommitments has left Ole Miss with only two ESPN 300 commitments for 2025. That’s a big blow considering they were building quite an impressive roster. Now, the top prospects still committed to the Rebels are outside linebacker Jarcoby Hopson, who is ranked 177th in the ESPN 300, and defensive tackle Andrew Maddox, who sits at 245th.
It’s no wonder there are a lot of questions swirling around Kiffin’s latest recruiting class. Losing four high-profile players in one week is rough, and it certainly puts a damper on what looked to be a promising 2025 class. Fans and analysts alike are curious about what this means for the future of Ole Miss football. Are more decommitments on the horizon? How will Kiffin and his staff respond to these setbacks?
One thing is for sure, the recruiting game is far from over. With Dear back on the market, plenty of schools will be vying for his talents. Given his track record and the offers he’s already received, it’s clear he has options. Will he stay in the SEC or look elsewhere? Only time will tell, but it’s going to be interesting to watch his recruitment unfold.
For now, Ole Miss has to regroup and figure out their next moves. Losing a player of Dear’s caliber, especially after losing Myles and others, means they need to double down on their recruiting efforts. Perhaps they can still bring in some top talent to fill these gaps, but it's going to take some serious work and probably a bit of luck.
This situation also highlights the volatility and unpredictability of college football recruiting. Commitments can change in an instant, and programs have to be prepared for anything. Kiffin and his team now have to pivot and make the best of a challenging situation. It’s moments like these that test the resilience and resourcefulness of a coaching staff.
So, while it’s a tough time for Ole Miss right now, the story is far from over. The next few months will be crucial as they work to stabilize their 2025 class and bring in the talent they need to compete at the highest level. And for Akylin Dear, the journey continues as he weighs his options and decides where he’ll take his talents next.
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