Ole Miss came out on the winning side after a dramatic recruiting battle with Clemson as 2025 four-star wide receiver Dillon Alfred announced he will be playing college football in Oxford next fall.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound wideout had been committed to head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels for several months but re-opened his recruitment earlier this summer. There was plenty of buzz about Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers making an aggressive push for Alfred’s talents, but Kiffin was able to keep the Mississippi native in the Magnolia State.
Alfred grew up playing football in his hometown of Gautier, Mississippi. He surged onto the scene after an incredible sophomore season where he racked up 58 receptions for 1,310 yards and an impressive 16 touchdowns. Alfred transferred to Saraland High School in Alabama for his junior year where he posted 35 catches for 586 yards and six touchdowns.
Though the Rebels never backed away from Alfred, Ole Miss fans had reason to be worried as his recruitment was winding down. After all, Alfred was originally supposed to announce his decision on Monday, but delayed his decision to the end of the week.
Alfred’s commitment on Friday represents one of Kiffin’s biggest wins in the 2025 cycle. Alfred ranks as the nation’s No. 59 wide receiver and the No. 17 prospect in the state of Alabama per On3’s Industry Rankings.
Prior to Alfred’s commitment, Ole Miss ranked No. 27 in the 2025 cycle and 12th in the SEC, according to On3’s Team Recruiting Rankings. However, with Alfred now on board, Ole Miss jumps all the way up to 23rd in the country and 11th in the SEC.
Ole Miss has an illustrious history for being able to reel in elite wide receiver talent and then develop said talent into some of the most dynamic playmakers in college football. The Rebels are once again loaded at wide receiver for the 2024 season, but with Alfred waiting in the wings, Ole Miss is set to reload next fall.
