Two key 2027 targets keep Ole Miss firmly in recruiting picture

Dylan Jones has had the kind of year that keeps his name in every recruiting conversation.

He helped Bartlett High win a 4A state title, finish 35-4 and land inside Rivals’ Top 5 nationally. Then he rolled straight into the EYBL circuit and averaged 17.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 45 percent for Team Thad. He added MVP honors at the Pangos All-American camp for good measure.

Now he’s trimmed his list of schools to six.

Jones announced his top six to Rivals’ Joe Tipton, and Ole Miss made the cut alongside Alabama, Texas A&M, Providence, Memphis and Tennessee. He’s already set visits and kept his answers tight, but he didn’t hide why the Rebels remain firmly in the picture.

“I like Ole Miss because of the relationship I’ve built with the coaches and the culture.”

That’s been the theme with Jones for months. He’s talked about the locker room vibe, the feel of Chris Beard’s program and the consistency of the staff’s communication.

Ole Miss has been steady, and Jones has noticed. The Rebels will get their shot when he arrives on campus, and they’re clearly positioned well heading into the fall.

Dillon sets his announcement date

Another Ole Miss target is closing in on a decision, and this one comes from a two-sport standout.

Deshawn Dillon, a top-150 basketball recruit and three-star wide receiver in the 2027 class, will announce his commitment live on CBS Sports’ basketball and football channels on Aug. 22 at noon. He’s choosing between Georgia Tech, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

“The visits that I went on felt like the best visits I could go on,” Dillon said. “The programs really were talking good, so I decided to move my date up early.”

Ole Miss has made its case on both fronts. Dillon said the Rebels’ pitch resonated because of the program’s stability, proximity and the way the staff treated him during his visit.

“They are always going to be a powerhouse team in the SEC. The school is close to home and is good for the family. It is really a great school. I saw how they treated the players like it was home on my visit. I felt their culture and what they do.”

Dillon’s versatility makes him one of the more intriguing prospects in the region, and Ole Miss has been intentional about staying in the mix.

With his decision coming soon, the Rebels will know where they stand in less than two weeks.

2026 Rebels Football

Sun, Sept. 6vs Louisville, Nashville6:30 PM, ABC
Sat, Sep 12vs Charlotte6:45 PM, ESPN2/SECN
Sat, Sep 19LSU6:30 PM, ABC
Sat, Sep 26@ FloridaTBD
Sat, Oct 10@ VanderbiltTBD
Sat, Oct 17MissouriTBD
Sat, Oct 24@ TexasTBD
Sat, Oct 31vs AuburnTBD
Sat, Nov 7vs GeorgiaTBD
Sat, Nov 14@ OklahomaTBD
Sat, Nov 21vs WoffordTBD
Sat, Nov 28vs Mississippi State11:00 AM, ABC