Ole Miss Accused of Tampering with Fresno State Player

NCAA investigating allegations of improper contact by Ole Miss staff with Josiah Freeman.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:31pm

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The NCAA is reportedly investigating allegations that Ole Miss football staff made improper contact with Fresno State wide receiver Josiah Freeman. This comes after a separate tampering allegation against Ole Miss involving a Clemson player. The penalties for NCAA tampering violations can include fines, suspensions, recruiting restrictions, and more.

Why it matters

Tampering allegations can have serious consequences for college football programs, potentially leading to NCAA sanctions that impact a team's competitiveness and recruiting abilities. This latest case adds to the scrutiny surrounding Ole Miss' recruiting practices and raises questions about the program's compliance with NCAA rules.

The details

According to reports, Fresno State has been in contact with the NCAA about an alleged tampering violation by Ole Miss involving wide receiver Josiah Freeman. Freeman reportedly provided screenshots of improper communication from an Ole Miss staff member to NCAA officials. Fresno State coach Matt Entz declined to comment on the matter. The NCAA is investigating the situation, which comes on the heels of a separate tampering allegation against Ole Miss involving a Clemson player.

  • On January 23, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney accused Ole Miss of tampering with linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
  • On January 28, Fresno State coach Matt Entz declined to comment on the alleged tampering with Josiah Freeman.

The players

Pete Golding

The head football coach at Ole Miss.

Josiah Freeman

A wide receiver at Fresno State who led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in 2025.

Matt Entz

The head football coach at Fresno State.

Dabo Swinney

The head football coach at Clemson.

Luke Ferrelli

A linebacker who transferred from California to Clemson before flipping his commitment to Ole Miss.

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What they’re saying

“I know you're signed. What's the buyout?”

— Pete Golding, Ole Miss Football Coach

What’s next

The NCAA will continue its investigation into the alleged tampering violations by Ole Miss. The school could face penalties ranging from fines to recruiting restrictions if the allegations are substantiated.

The takeaway

These tampering allegations against Ole Miss highlight the intense competition and high stakes in college football recruiting. The NCAA will need to thoroughly investigate the claims to determine if any rules were broken, which could have significant consequences for the Ole Miss program if proven true.