Ole Miss Football Eyeing Pivotal Visit With Dynamic Notre Dame, Alabama Target

Brentwood Academy (Tenn.) four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II will be back in Oxford this weekend on an unofficial visit with Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and physicality of a linebacker in action, with the colors of the Ole Miss and Notre Dame uniforms fractured and abstracted into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes.The recruitment of elite linebacker Kenneth Simon II has become a high-stakes battle between Ole Miss and Notre Dame as the talented prospect evaluates his options.Brentwood Today

Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels coaching staff are preparing for a critical recruiting weekend, with multiple high-profile visitors expected on campus. The main target is four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II from Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, who will be making his fifth spring visit stop at Ole Miss after recent trips to Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and an upcoming visit to Notre Dame.

Why it matters

Simon is considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2027 recruiting class, and Ole Miss is intensifying its pursuit of the versatile defender who can play all three downs. Landing Simon would be a major coup for the Rebels as they look to bolster their defensive unit.

The details

Simon, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound linebacker, is described as a "modern 3-4 linebacker projection" with the athleticism, physicality, and awareness to excel in pass coverage and against the run. He began his prep career as a safety before transitioning to more of an in-the-box linebacker role, helping Brentwood Academy capture a Tennessee Division II-AA championship. Ole Miss will be looking to impress Simon during his visit and make a strong push to land his commitment.

  • Simon will visit Ole Miss this weekend (April 3, 2026).
  • Simon will visit Notre Dame on April 18, 2026.

The players

Kenneth Simon II

A four-star linebacker prospect from Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, considered one of the top linebackers in the 2027 recruiting class.

Pete Golding

The defensive coordinator for the Ole Miss Rebels, leading the charge in the recruitment of Kenneth Simon II.

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What’s next

After his visit to Ole Miss this weekend, Kenneth Simon II will head to South Bend to visit the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on April 18, 2026, as he continues to evaluate his top college options.

The takeaway

The recruitment of four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II has become a priority for the Ole Miss Rebels, who are looking to make a strong impression during his visit this weekend and secure a commitment from one of the top defensive prospects in the 2027 class.