Ole Miss had a wild Monday on the recruiting trail. Four-star defensive lineman Ben’Jarvius Shumaker committed, flipped to Colorado, then flipped back to the Rebels all in the same day. But that wasn’t the only big news out of Oxford.
According to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals, the Rebels also landed a commitment from Mitchell Turner, a four-star defensive tackle and the No. 3 defensive lineman in the 2027 class. Turner chose Ole Miss over Texas, Alabama and LSU, and he made the call after taking an official visit to campus earlier this month.
That visit, Turner told Rivals, is what sealed it.
“On the official visit is the point when they moved ahead of Alabama for sure,” Turner said. “Being on that visit, spending more time with the coaches and just being there changed things. It was a big visit for me, and that really put Ole Miss as the top.”
Why Turner Chose the Rebels
Turner is the type of recruit who could have gone anywhere. Listed as a defensive lineman from within Mississippi, he had offers from nearly every major program in the country. But staying home mattered to him.
“It was very tough,” Turner added. “We had to talk with my mom and dad and figure out what was the best fit for my future. I’ve been there five or six times, and it’s a great environment. Staying in the state is big for me too. You see a lot of big-time guys leave Mississippi, but I want to leave my mark in my home state and create a legacy that can last for years.”
Turner also credited defensive line coach Randall Joyner for making Ole Miss feel like the right spot. Joyner has a reputation for developing talent, and Turner noticed.
“The way Coach Joyner breaks down things and coaches, the way he motivates people and gets them going make him one of the best,” Turner said. “Coach Joyner’s track record of developing defensive linemen made Ole Miss always stand out. The way he develops players was a very big thing for me. The way he gets guys from my area — my state — to the NFL. How can you turn it down?”
For context, Turner is part of a 2027 class that’s already shaping up well for Pete Golding and the Rebels. Ole Miss now has 17 commitments, which ranks 17th nationally and eighth in the SEC according to the major recruiting services. It’s early, but the staff is clearly making headway against the conference’s traditional powers.
Turner’s decision also underscores a simple reality: when a top in-state prospect chooses to stay home, it changes the entire dynamic of a recruiting class. The Rebels have been aggressive on the trail under Lane Kiffin, and landing a player like Turner signals that Ole Miss can win those head-to-head battles with Alabama and LSU for elite defensive talent.
Now the question is whether they can keep him locked in through signing day. But for now, Ole Miss fans have plenty of reason to feel good about where things are headed.
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