Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels are having one of the finest seasons so far, with a three-week winning streak. The program is not only aggressively working on the ongoing season, but also in recruiting top talent for the future. With Kiffin leading the charge, the program is keen on gaining elite talents and out-recruiting its rivals. Their 2026 class is almost set and done, with 18 hard commits and some of the top talents across the country. Now, Kiffin’s Ole Miss has shifted their focus to the 2027 recruiting class, with their sights clearly set on winning a national championship.

The Rebels are ranked No. 6 nationally and No.1 in the SEC, leading the recruitment pool. So far, they have recruited four prospects for their side, including Jamarkus Pittman from Memphis, Tennessee, Trae’kerrion Collins from Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Shavezz Dixon from Leesburg, GA, and Jiyez Fleming from Oxford, Alabama. Apart from them, the program has reached out to some of the finest talents, whose visits are scheduled and are in talks. Among those, one of the targets has announced his final four interests, with a clear frontrunner.

Keland Shelton, who attends North Carolina Providence High School, is one of the versatile prospects of the 2027 class. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder is being recruited primarily as a safety and holds dozens of offers from some of the powerhouse schools. During a recent interview with Rivals, the sophomore revealed that communication and prioritization are the two things that matter to him. “Everyone wants to go to a powerhouse school, but who is really chasing me is what matters most to me,” Shelton said. “I want to go to a program that wants me and shows me a plan where I can play instantly.” 

He then revealed his final four, keeping Tennessee at the top, after his recent visit to the Tennessee vs Georgia match-up. “Tennessee was amazing,” Shelton said. “From the atmosphere of the fans, to the hospitality from the staff, and the game overall. It was definitely a great experience.” He then revealed his relationship with the staff, “I am cool with a lot of coaches there. I talk with Coach [Willie] Martinez, Coach [Tim] Banks, and Coach [Josh] Heupel — we have great relationships.” He said that their hospitality feels like a family, and their communication stands out, which makes him want to be a part of the program. “Tennessee is up there on my list for sure,” Shelton said. 

Next in his list are Virginia and Virginia Tech. “Virginia has a great staff– they are great people,” Shelton said. He said that the staff prioritizes and respects him, which he thinks is “more than football at Virginia.” He also commented that “it’s a great school and environment.” Turning his attention to Virginia Tech, he said that “they have a welcoming staff.”

He is getting to know more about the school and eventually builds relationships with the staff. Shelton also named Ole Miss in his final four, with a scheduled first visit to Oxford. He is expected to be there for the LSU game on Sept. 27. “I talk with Coach Neighbors a lot,” Shelton said. He said that they are chasing him hard right now and wanted to see how Ole Miss is. For now, Shelton is staying patient while continuing to build strong connections with the schools showing the most consistent interest.

Multiple visits scheduled for Ole Miss

Well, Keland Shelton is not the only Ole Miss target of the 2027 class, who is scheduled a visit for the Ole Miss-LSU game on September 27. It has been reported that the 4-star edge prospect Derwin Fields from Brookhaven, Missouri, will be in town for an unofficial visit. He is the 9th-ranked Edge in the country and 49th overall prospect in the 2027 cycle. He finished his sophomore season with 61 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. He currently holds offers from 17 top programs across the country.

Kaden McCarty, the 6-foot-1.5, 215-pound Edge, from Cy Falls, Houston, Texas, is also expected to have an unofficial visit on the same day. He was the breakout sophomore last year with 59 tackles, 24 TFL, 11 sacks, and  2 punt blocks in 12 games. He currently holds offers from five top schools, including Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Georgia Tech, and Houston.

With four prospects already committed to the program, will Lane Kiffin be able to convert visits into a commitment? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.