Two Ole Miss Football Freshmen That Could Shine Across First Season in Oxford

Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels added multiple blue-chip recruits in the 2026 class, including two defensive standouts who could make an immediate impact.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 1:55pm

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The Ole Miss Rebels secured a Top-25 recruiting class in 2026, headlined by four-star EDGE Landon Barnes and four-star cornerback Dorian Barney. Both players are expected to contribute right away on the defensive side of the ball for the Rebels.

Why it matters

Ole Miss is looking to build on a strong 2025 season and compete for a SEC West title in 2026. The addition of elite defensive talents like Barnes and Barney could be key to the Rebels' success, as they look to shore up a unit that lost some key contributors to the transfer portal.

The details

Landon Barnes, a four-star EDGE rusher from Duncanville, Texas, chose Ole Miss over offers from LSU, Texas, Ohio State, and Georgia. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder is expected to help replace the production of Princewill Umanmielen, who entered the transfer portal. Dorian Barney, a four-star cornerback from Carrollton, Georgia, flipped his commitment from Michigan to Ole Miss last fall. The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back has a chance to crack the two-deep in Year 1 and contribute to a new-look Rebels secondary.

  • Barnes and Barney signed with Ole Miss during the Early Signing Period in December 2025.
  • Barney took an official visit to Ole Miss in the fall of 2025 and was swayed to flip from Michigan to the Rebels.

The players

Landon Barnes

A four-star EDGE rusher from Duncanville, Texas, who was a consensus Top-25 defensive prospect in the Lone Star State. Barnes chose Ole Miss over offers from LSU, Texas, Ohio State, and Georgia.

Dorian Barney

A four-star cornerback from Carrollton, Georgia, who was a Top-25 cornerback in America. Barney flipped his commitment from Michigan to Ole Miss last fall.

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What they’re saying

“I felt the love from the staff. They showed great love and a lot of energy toward me. The people [at Ole Miss] really got to know me well and it showed me a lot as a recruit.”

— Landon Barnes

“The environment was crazy. My first time going to a Ole Miss game didn't disappoint me. The direction they're leading the team in is great, he's one of the best coaches in college football. If they keep playing this way I see a Natty in them.”

— Dorian Barney

The takeaway

The additions of Landon Barnes and Dorian Barney give the Ole Miss defense a major boost heading into the 2026 season. Both players were highly sought-after recruits, and their ability to contribute immediately could be key to the Rebels' success as they look to build on a strong 2025 campaign.