Ole Miss, Miami Battling for Top Mississippi Running Back

Four-star recruit Ty Keys has the Rebels and Hurricanes among his top schools as he prepares for key visits this offseason.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Poplarville, Mississippi four-star running back Ty Keys is one of the top prospects in the 2027 recruiting class, and both Ole Miss and Miami are heavily pursuing the in-state standout. Keys, who ran for 3,285 yards and 45 touchdowns as a junior, has the Rebels and Hurricanes among his top 10 schools and has visits planned with both programs this offseason as he evaluates his options.

Why it matters

Landing a top in-state recruit like Keys would be a major coup for either Ole Miss or Miami, as both programs look to bolster their future backfields. Keys' combination of size, speed, and production make him one of the most sought-after running backs in the country, and his decision could have significant implications for the recruiting battles between the two schools.

The details

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Keys is ranked as the No. 7 running back and No. 150 overall prospect in the 2027 class. In addition to Ole Miss and Miami, his top 10 includes Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Louisville, Oregon, Florida State, Mississippi State, Penn State, and UCF. Keys is planning an unofficial visit to Miami this spring, followed by an official visit later in the year, as he continues to evaluate his options.

  • Keys ran for 1,222 yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman in 2023.
  • As a junior in 2025, Keys exploded for 3,285 yards and 45 touchdowns.
  • Keys is planning an unofficial visit to Miami this spring and an official visit later in 2026.

The players

Ty Keys

A four-star running back from Poplarville, Mississippi who is ranked as the No. 7 running back and No. 150 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class.

Ole Miss Rebels

The in-state program that is heavily pursuing Keys and looking to land the top running back recruit from Mississippi.

Miami Hurricanes

The out-of-state program that is also heavily pursuing Keys and has secured visits with the top running back prospect.

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What’s next

Keys is planning an unofficial visit to Miami this spring, followed by an official visit later in 2026 as he continues to evaluate his options.

The takeaway

The recruiting battle for Ty Keys, one of the top running back prospects in the 2027 class, is heating up between in-state power Ole Miss and out-of-state contender Miami. Landing the talented Mississippi product would be a major win for whichever program is able to secure his commitment.